I have read some post here about the cognito support kit and they sound like they would be helpful. i need to replace the ball joints and tierods on my 04. i was wondering should i install the support kit when i replace the ball joints and the tierods now or wait to replace when the pitman and idler arms need replacing. i have 77,000 miles on my truck. i didn't want to waste my money if the kit wouldn't help the original steering parts. also does any vendors sell the kit? thanks

i would do it all at the same time imo, do it while you're there ya know.

you can hit up nor-cal nick for the cognito stuff.

Get a hold of Nick. He'll do you right.

x2 on the doing it all at once. You know you need it, go on and get it over with.

I have read some post here about the cognito support kit and they sound like they would be helpful. i need to replace the ball joints and tierods on my 04. i was wondering should i install the support kit when i replace the ball joints and the tierods now or wait to replace when the pitman and idler arms need replacing. i have 77,000 miles on my truck. i didn't want to waste my money if the kit wouldn't help the original steering parts. also does any vendors sell the kit? thanks

I just did all that in my driveway. Check my garage as I'm posting the pictures. NorCal supplied the Cognito parts and were fantastic to work with!

To answer your question, you don't have to do them at the same time. To do the tie rods and ball joints, you are in the wheel area. To do the braces, you need to get underneath. I was also installing a lift, so I did it while the front diff was out.

TIP: Buy the Cognito steering braces 2-4 weeks before you plan to install them. The instructions are so complete that they list every wrench size you are going to need. I didn't have a 24mm combo wrench, I didn't have two 15/16 wrenches (one box, one open - or just two combos), and I certainly didn't have a 1-5/16 box-end wrench! I had everything else.

TIP: Since you'll be up in there to do this, put in a new steering stabilizer.

Was it worth it? I have a 2004 with 90,000. It's been developing a loose feeling in the steering. I didn't know how bad the tie rods were. Reading on this site, I learned that the parts could wear out prematurely. They had! Now with the Cognito tie rods (again, check my garage pics - those things are HUGE!), the Cognito supports, and the new RANCHO steering stabilizer, the steering is tighter and gives a confident feel better than it ever did stock!

I posted pictures of the extreme-duty ball joints I found too. They were the only ones I could find that weren't just a standard replacement.