Hot Rods steering damper question

Wondering if there is a way to fit a steering damper on my 47 Ford axle, are they made or can I covert something.

 

May be take a look at this post for some ideas

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum...-stabilizer-addition-to-dropped-axle.1194304/

 

I used an early Ford Econoline dampner. Clamped to axle and tie rod. Also try one for a VW.

 

My friend used one from a jeep Cherokee.

 

You might be better off using the money to replace worn front end parts. Dampers are not needed for a front end with good parts.

 

While using a dampener to compensate for worn parts isn't wise there are plenty of reasons for a rig with a suspension and steering in top condition to feel or be a bit on the jerky side.
Rims that have too much offset with or without wide tires.
Steering wheel that is several inches smaller in diameter than the stock wheel. Less leverage and the wheel movements seem larger than they actually are.
The main one, the driver is not used to driving a rig with a solid axle and manual steering be it two or four wheel drive. When you climb out of your daily with power everything and no real feel of the road into a car with manual steering and leaf spring suspension you feel like you are herding it rather than driving it.,

I'd say that there are plenty of fairly universal steering dampeners available though local 4x4 shops that can be adapted to that 47.

 

I have a damper on each of my old cars all with tight suspension. I like the way they smooth out the road feel. On my 40 we made a simple clamp on the axle and attached the other end to the tie rod. Works great. I get mine from P&J's

 

Mr48Chev, all good insight, times are when the damper does help. I set up my recent 'A' w/the 'proper' front end geometry, found that it didn't need one.

 

I added a So-Cal damper to my old Sedan Deliv. and it made a noticeable difference in how the car handled. Wouldn't run a straight axle car without one. Clamps to the tie rod and designed to clamp to the lower 4 bar...you may have to fab a bracket/clamp to mount to a wishbone.

 

"Dampers are not needed for a front end with good parts". Check almost every new pick-up truck uses steering dampeners

 

I use one on the Econoline axel on my 57. The front end has all new parts but it still enhanced the feel.

 

I put one on this old pickup, and it really made a difference.

 

Your experience is duly noted , others ,however , may have or had different experiences & made different decisions .

 

To each his own said Mrs O'Leary before she kissed the cow.

I get it, know why it can be desired even with all things being just so. Would I? Nope. I wouldn't want to quell the actual feels that can ONLY be experienced with old technology. If I didn't wanna smell gas fumes I'd go electronic fuel injection. If I didn't wanna smell exhaust I'd build and tune for catalytic convertors. If I didn't want to be a little warm on a July afternoon I'd add AC vs opening the windsheild. Can ya smell what I'm steppin in? Can ya?

Still, I don't like raw oysters or sushi but I bet I can find a good place for either if someone wanted to know. I may not be able to help with what/where/how and how much but the adivce of P&J seems fairly sound to me. I'd trust them before some 4X4 shop. Not that I don't like 4X4s either. All 4 of my DDs are 4 wheel/all wheel so no not being a dick, this time...

 

I forgot to mention in my post above that my F-150 was a special order vehicle......maybe I overlooked the steering damper option or simply forgot to check that box. But...the salesman did point out the radio antenna racoon tail option...said radio reception would be better in rural places where I live.....so I definitely checked that box!

 

amazing, that's why P&J's sell steering dampeners for their front end kits.