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2002 silverado 2500hd steering upgrades?

Justsomeguy

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I'm not running one at the moment. I don't like the bilstien. The reason being the positive pressure. It constantly pushed the wheel right. I suspect it could be factored into the alignment. But I took mine off. If I put one on it will be with neutral pressure.

I had to modify to work with one anyways. You have to mount below the factory tabs, as the pisk system will crush a shock in the factory location.
 

69hondo

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Well I still havent put the Kryptonite kit on. Truck barley gets used so Its not a priority. It maybe got 500 miles on it this year.LOL

What are the thoughts on the Red head steering box?

Also thinking about re gearing it. Its got the stock 373 in it now. With the 35" tires it does ok until I put the Fundeck behind it and then she a gas guzzling dog. 488 gears seem good?
 
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mesquito_creek

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Well I still havent put the Kryptonite kit on. Truck barley gets used so Its not a priority. It maybe got 500 miles on it this year.LOL

What are the thoughts on the Red head steering box?

Also thinking about re gearing it. Its got the stock 411 in it now. With the 35" tires it does ok until I put the Fundeck behind it and then she a gas guzzling dog. 488 gears seem good?

I have 195000 miles on the stock steering box and the cognito steering idler arm kit… no issues, I haven’t heard much about the stock steering box being a problem, just the stock idler.
 

eand28

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If you’re going to change the box, PSC has been the go to recently over redhead and the bluetop boxes. I wouldn’t change it unless you have issues with your factory box
 

ChrisV

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Well I still havent put the Kryptonite kit on. Truck barley gets used so Its not a priority. It maybe got 500 miles on it this year.LOL

What are the thoughts on the Red head steering box?

Also thinking about re gearing it. Its got the stock 373 in it now. With the 35" tires it does ok until I put the Fundeck behind it and then she a gas guzzling dog. 488 gears seem good?
I’m going 4.30 with mine. 4.88 is for 37s imo.
 

RogerThat99

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Well I still havent put the Kryptonite kit on. Truck barley gets used so Its not a priority. It maybe got 500 miles on it this year.LOL

What are the thoughts on the Red head steering box?

Also thinking about re gearing it. Its got the stock 373 in it now. With the 35" tires it does ok until I put the Fundeck behind it and then she a gas guzzling dog. 488 gears seem good?
Red Head was a really good choice at one time. I know last year (2022), I was looking at replacing my gear box, and read a lot of bad quality issues with Red Head (some of that here on RDP). I haven't heard if the quality has improved.
 

motormonkey

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I did a read head box and PSC pump last year, it's seems to be holding up pretty good. My stock box blew up going down innerstate (sorry to everybody behind me LOL).
 
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CLdrinker

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Nick. Don’t do gears especially if you are paying someone to do it.

My 2018 6.4 Hemi had 4:10 and I went 4:88. BIG mistake. It helped allot from a dead stop but not much once moving as the transmission can hold a lower gear to compensate. The rpm on the freeway sucked ass.
tires were 34’s and I had a 6 speed. The $2800 would have been spent better going towards a new truck.

Juice isn’t worth the squeeze.
 

evantwheeler

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Well I still havent put the Kryptonite kit on. Truck barley gets used so Its not a priority. It maybe got 500 miles on it this year.LOL

What are the thoughts on the Red head steering box?

Also thinking about re gearing it. Its got the stock 373 in it now. With the 35" tires it does ok until I put the Fundeck behind it and then she a gas guzzling dog. 488 gears seem good?
I just re-geared my truck to 4.56. 8.1 2500hd 37’s. I would not do 4.88 with 35's IMO. I havent got to tow with it yet, but the RPMs on the freeway feel perfect. I think im like 2100 or 2200 rpm at 70. I would give up some towing performance for more “comfort” when not towing. The only reason I went to 4.56 is that I bought a matching F & R 4.10 diff & axle from Indiana Truck Parts in Corona. The rear end made noise immediately when I put it in, and they wouldn't do anything about it because I dilly dallied installing it and was later than their return policy allowed. I decided since I had to buy a R&P for the rear (pinion was bad), I would buy one for the front and got to 4.56.

I have the front 4.10 front diff housing still (I had them re-gear my 3.73 diff housing), if you want to make a small upgrade from 3.73's for cheap. I'm making an assumption your truck is 4x4.....i’d be happy with 4.10’s and 35’s for how little the truck gets driven.

It will never not be a gas guzzling dog…..


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evantwheeler

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Lee power steering for the box. Literally posted that twice on the first page. They're in Santa Clarita.
 
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eand28

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Nitro gears. Only company that makes 4.30. My truck needs it bad with my race trailer. Fully loaded is 12k. So it struggles with 35s.
What kinda fuel mileage are you getting? My duramax has been averaging 11.5-15 since I lifted it and I think it's really low considering the truck is on 33's and it was getting 15-19 with the factory wheels and 30" tall tires
 

ChrisV

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What kinda fuel mileage are you getting? My duramax has been averaging 11.5-15 since I lifted it and I think it's really low considering the truck is on 33's and it was getting 15-19 with the factory wheels and 30" tall tires
Hard to say. I don’t drive it normally. Would say on an average 15mpg with the race trailer, 19mpg with the boat and in the 20s normally.

Idaho rob efi live tune so that helped a ton.
 

eand28

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Hard to say. I don’t drive it normally. Would say on an average 15mpg with the race trailer, 19mpg with the boat and in the 20s normally.

Idaho rob efi live tune so that helped a ton.
I don't either but it just seems really low. Your trans stock? I'm thinking the higher stall converter in mine is part of my issue
 

ChrisV

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I don't either but it just seems really low. Your trans stock? I'm thinking the higher stall converter in mine is part of my issue
Bone stock. 380k miles on it. I really need to get a trans.
 

TPC

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Call Redhead - They have always been pretty helpful. 206-364-3333. I installed one on my 04 and 05 and what a difference especially with the larger tires
Anyplace in the Southwest to get it installed w/ alignment?
 

toto

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Yeah I had it shipped to my house and then Woodcrest Auto Repair install it and he even shipped back the core for me.
 
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69hondo

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I just re-geared my truck to 4.56. 8.1 2500hd 37’s. I would not do 4.88 with 35's IMO. I havent got to tow with it yet, but the RPMs on the freeway feel perfect. I think im like 2100 or 2200 rpm at 70. I would give up some towing performance for more “comfort” when not towing. The only reason I went to 4.56 is that I bought a matching F & R 4.10 diff & axle from Indiana Truck Parts in Corona. The rear end made noise immediately when I put it in, and they wouldn't do anything about it because I dilly dallied installing it and was later than their return policy allowed. I decided since I had to buy a R&P for the rear (pinion was bad), I would buy one for the front and got to 4.56.

I have the front 4.10 front diff housing still (I had them re-gear my 3.73 diff housing), if you want to make a small upgrade from 3.73's for cheap. I'm making an assumption your truck is 4x4.....i’d be happy with 4.10’s and 35’s for how little the truck gets driven.

It will never not be a gas guzzling dog…..


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I dont know why but I missed this. LOL
PM me what you want for it.
I think we have the exact same truck aside from you have the 8.1 and I have the 6.0
What lift do you have? I always wanted to go to 37" but I would have to change my wheels.
 

69hondo

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Nick. Don’t do gears especially if you are paying someone to do it.

My 2018 6.4 Hemi had 4:10 and I went 4:88. BIG mistake. It helped allot from a dead stop but not much once moving as the transmission can hold a lower gear to compensate. The rpm on the freeway sucked ass.
tires were 34’s and I had a 6 speed. The $2800 would have been spent better going towards a new truck.

Juice isn’t worth the squeeze.
I cant justify the 80k+ price of new trucks. Specially since it will sit 90% of the time. I won't do 4.88 now.
Plus I like my old 2500HD
 

sintax

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I cant justify the 80k+ price of new trucks. Specially since it will sit 90% of the time. I won't do 4.88 now.
Plus I like my old 2500HD

same feels.

I'd love a new fancy truck, with a modern interior and dash, but for something that sits 99% of the time, i just cant justify it.

my 07 LBZ has 150k miles on it, and its been babied most of its life. It could use a paint job, but its also 16 yrs old.
 

evantwheeler

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I dont know why but I missed this. LOL
PM me what you want for it.
I think we have the exact same truck aside from you have the 8.1 and I have the 6.0
What lift do you have? I always wanted to go to 37" but I would have to change my wheels.
Yes, our trucks look identical. I have a 6" fabtec with the Deaver 4" rear springs. 1.5" wheel spacers in the rear to match the width of the front as the fabtec spindles add 1.25" of width per side I believe.. With the correct backspacing wheels, the 37's fit perfect with minimal front lower bumper trimming.
 

69hondo

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same feels.

I'd love a new fancy truck, with a modern interior and dash, but for something that sits 99% of the time, i just cant justify it.

my 07 LBZ has 150k miles on it, and its been babied most of its life. It could use a paint job, but its also 16 yrs old.
LOL yup mine could use a paint job as well. That damn clear coat!
 

sintax

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LOL yup mine could use a paint job as well. That damn clear coat!

all in all mines in very good shape for its age, and living its whole life outside.

If i was being picky, i'd paint the roof, tops of bed rails, and fender flares and it would be 8.5-9 out of 10
 

69hondo

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all in all mines in very good shape for its age, and living its whole life outside.

If i was being picky, i'd paint the roof, tops of bed rails, and fender flares and it would be 8.5-9 out of 10
Same but my hood is going now. My buddy had Maco do his 06 and it came out surprisingly well.
 

Hammer

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Yes, our trucks look identical. I have a 6" fabtec with the Deaver 4" rear springs. 1.5" wheel spacers in the rear to match the width of the front as the fabtec spindles add 1.25" of width per side I believe.. With the correct backspacing wheels, the 37's fit perfect with minimal front lower bumper trimming.
MY 37's rub the inner wheel well bad... I wish i could address it. It's only in turns with articulation. I don't really want to put wheel spacers on the front. Whats the fix?
 

CLdrinker

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I cant justify the 80k+ price of new trucks. Specially since it will sit 90% of the time. I won't do 4.88 now.
Plus I like my old 2500HD
Even if you don’t put it towards a new truck. Does it make sense to spend a couple grand on a truck that is only worth 10-20k to see a small improvement?

If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.
 

69hondo

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Even if you don’t put it towards a new truck. Does it make sense to spend a couple grand on a truck that is only worth 10-20k to see a small improvement?

If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.
HAHA if I thought like that I wouldn't put money into anything fun. Specially that hole in the water I call a boat!
 

Justsomeguy

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MY 37's rub the inner wheel well bad... I wish i could address it. It's only in turns with articulation. I don't really want to put wheel spacers on the front. Whats the fix?
What year? I did the nor cal nick fender mod on my 12 to give me room in your exact scenario. But it was 35s.

Backspace is the key to making them fit without fended mod.
 

Hammer

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What year? I did the nor cal nick fender mod on my 12 to give me room in your exact scenario. But it was 35s.

Backspace is the key to making them fit without fended mod.
05 2500 HD I have no idea what lift I have, might be RCD or fabtech? It’s all black no markings…
 

evantwheeler

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MY 37's rub the inner wheel well bad... I wish i could address it. It's only in turns with articulation. I don't really want to put wheel spacers on the front. Whats the fix?
I get fender well rubbing on full lock and a hard bump. My solution is to drive like a grey hair. Especially if im turning and know im going to hit a bump. Spacers would likely cause issues with bumper clearance. My 37’s rub LESS than my 35’s with low backspace wheels did. The wheels im running now have almost no offset. Got rid of the brodozer 20” wheels it had before. Turns easier, looks better.
 

sintax

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I dont want to hear about rubs...

I'm rockin big 35's w/o a lift, just light cranking on the torsions and a lot of trimming. My old BFG AT 35's were ok, they rubbed a bit, but the new Toyo 35's rub like a mother. I'm thinking about dropping back down to 33's just to make it more usable offroad.
 

ChrisV

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I dont want to hear about rubs...

I'm rockin big 35's w/o a lift, just light cranking on the torsions and a lot of trimming. My old BFG AT 35's were ok, they rubbed a bit, but the new Toyo 35's rub like a mother. I'm thinking about dropping back down to 33's just to make it more usable offroad.
E856A6C6-2FCE-4149-8DC8-75C2DAE4E9F9.jpeg
 

sintax

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haha i'm with you, but i'm also trying not to Flintstone my truck.

I have the Kryptonite upper arms, and keys i'm going to try first, I was hoping to get a deal on their Ultimate Steering kit over black friday, but couldn't find anyone offering ANY deals. I want to install both at the same time.
 

Warlock1

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I had 38's on my 07 classic and went with 488 gears. It was perfect. Second set of tires I went with 37's and still had no issues.
 

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