Power steering with 35's??

[CrAacKker]

I just bought a 2003 F250 FX4 7.3 stroke, 6 inch lift with 35x13's, 57k miles on the truck. Would I need to upgrade my power steering for the bigger tires?? Will these bigger tires cause the power steering to go out a lot quicker??

Also my steering stablizer only has one shock. So I was thinking of upgrading that 2 double shocks, I read that one shock is good up until 33' inch tires...but 2 shocks is recommended for 35' inch plus tires.

Has anyone else run into this issue before??

One other thing...This is my first diesel...and it is time to do a oil change...
What performance oil do you all suggest?? Is there a systhenic oil that I can use to run longer with....with gas motors you can run mobile 1 and go 5,000 miles between oil changes. Can you do the same with a diesel motor or is that a bad practice???

I am new to the board and you guys have been a huge help in educating me.
A Big Thanks!!!

 

[rtxcoon]

your power steering is fine....I ran 37's on my 01 for more than 60K with no problems...with the stock steering dampner...

 

[CSIPSD]

Ditto on the PS, as far as oil changes... Just change it with dino every 5000 miles and you will me fine. Diesel rated 15-40

 

[CSIPSD]

Ditto on the PS, as far as oil changes... Just change it with dino every 5000 miles and you will me fine. Diesel rated 15-40

 

[Scarlet_Nape]

I just put Rotella synthetic in mine and am very happy with the results. I swear the truck is quieter.
I agree with the above posts on your steering setup. If you ever go higher on truck (with larger tires) you might want to consider upgrading the steering. (consider crossover steering) IMO

 

[CrAacKker]

Thanks Guys!!!

Loads of help...

 

[AdamBomb]

i've got a 13" Lift with 40" Tires. I had an incedent where i lost control of my truck on the freeway and almost crashed big time not to long ago. I ended up having replace my streering gear box, pitman arm(put in a 4" drop to help with the angle),hydrolic pump, and ball joints. I could tell somthing was up with the steering for a long time, there was alot of play in the wheel and the pump would sound like it was going to explode if i tried to turn my wheels when stoped or getting in and out of parking lots. I should have had it fixed befor it went out on me and i lost control. It would have saved me losts of $$$ because i got some gouges and splits in my tires from driving off the freeway onto some dirt strip road at high speeds. If i were you i would have your steering system checked out by a reliable mech. and see what he says. You may want to look into a pitman arm with a drop because of your lift, it will help with the angle and relieve some pressure. I went with the Fabtech 4'' but only because thats what the place recomended. Also check out some hydrolic assist steering systems they make for our trucks. I know i am saving up for one. Just my 2 cents.

Regarding Oil and Oil Changes-

I use Shell Rotella 5w-40 because its a great price and my truck loves it.
check it out at
PDF"]http://www.shell-lubricants.com/products/pdf/ROTELLA%20T%20SYNTHETIC.PDF[/URL]PDF
I also us a motorcraft oil filter

 

[CSIPSD]

well ya, with any lift you should have a dropped pitman arm... but a 13" lift with the stocker... your steering arm must have looked like a ladder.

 

[AdamBomb]

CSIPSD well ya, with any lift you should have a dropped pitman arm... but a 13" lift with the stocker... your steering arm must have looked like a ladder.

haha

 

[rtxcoon]

ya,,,it was assumed that even the 6" lift was done correctly and has a drop pitman arm....hell, I put a drop pitman arm on my 97 and its only got a 3" reverse shackle kit....I suspect you have more problems with that
13" lift if it didnt have the pitman arm on it...probably no x-over either is it????