Cross Over Steering Done

[JAlderman]

I had no intentions of doing it this quick, but after driving it right after the lift install the steering drove me nuts and the steering box was going bad.



I used Off Road Designs kit, when I called for the kit they would not send me the whole thing at once. They will send you the right side steering arm first so you can get measurements from the steering arm to the drop pitman arm. Which according to them was the same length as a chevy. I do recommend getting their drop pitman arm also. Its a 3" drop chevy arm with the same splines as our boxes so it will fit fine. The tie rod ends that are sent are to big for a Sky Jacker drop pitman and a reamer costs just as much as a new pitman arm.



I replaced my factory box with a new one from PSC steering (do right the first time). I used the factory plate on the back side to reinforce the frame. You will have to grind a good chunk off to make it fit inside the frame.



The attached pictures show the drag link at a hard right turn with the steering stops removed. There is plenty of clearence to be had. There are more pics in my readers rigs gallery.



I now have a 2 1/2" drop pitman arm, adjustable drag link, and sway bar lowering kit sitting on the floor. PM me if interested in the parts.

 

[DValentine]

Looks good. How does the truck look with the 4 in springs on the front? Did you change the lift blocks in the back to match?

Dave

 

[JAlderman]

It sits level with the rear. I ordered the entire kit with replacement rear springs which turned out to be 6" lift springs and a 2 1/2" blocks to replace the tallest 6" block I've ever seen. I also spent the extra and got the nitro shocks, well worth it.

 

[DValentine]

Yeah, that looks nice. It makes sense now. How do you like the ride? I have been mulling a 4 link set up to get rid of the springs. I went with the 2 in front springs and that did make things a little better than stock. What size tires and rims are you running?

Thanks,
Dave

 

[JAlderman]

The ride is a drastic improvement from what it was. The tires are 285/75r16's I will be going to a 295 soon. The rims are 16x8's I have no idea who makes them.

 

[JSchlachta]

Did you just remove the sway bar? if so was the ride effected any? you said you removed the steering stops how is turning affected maybe you could give your turning radius and I could compare to a stock steering setup.

jim

 

[Leper]

I have been running ORD parts on Blazers for years. Good stuff. Their TREs are the beefiest I have found. I don't know about your truck, but after running a quick disconnect on my swaybar for a week, I just removed the swaybar all-together.



You said you removed your steering stops. ?. ?. ? Be careful on full lock turns. It is real easy to bind and break an axle ujoint or axle ear doing that.

 

[JAlderman]

Well I just got done with having it aligned and tracks straight as an arrow now. No more sudden lane changes.



With the sway bar removed it does have some body roll but nothing you can't get used to. You got to figure what your willing to give up to have better steering, I can deal with a little bit of lean. Besides you're driving a billboard not a sports car.



I'm going to mess with the steering stops some more to find a good middle ground. The u-joints will probably appreciate it.

 

[AKimmel]

When I put crossover on my mud truck (89 W350), I turned the steering box as far as it would go one way, and then the other. Then adjusted the stops just a little before that. That way it hits the steering stops, just before the box would max out, and it keeps from tearing the box up. It turns sharper with 44's I think than my 87 does with smaller tires and stock style steering.

 

[Niki]

Can you adjust your stops for more travel if you haven't done crossover steering? I had a K20 with a Dana44 front and it would turn on a dime compared to my Dodges, and they were the same length.

 

[JAlderman]

When I put crossover on my mud truck (89 W350), I turned the steering box as far as it would go one way, and then the other. Then adjusted the stops just a little before that. That way it hits the steering stops, just before the box would max out, and it keeps from tearing the box up. It turns sharper with 44's I think than my 87 does with smaller tires and stock style steering.

Makes sense I'll give that a shot this weekend. I know the box is giving the frame hell when I max the steering out.

 

[Moab4x4]

Thanks for the writeup!!

For reference when I order mine, What was that measurement from steering arm to Pitman Arm?

I put the same Skyjacker kit in my truck down to the nitro shocks and it is night and day better in ride quality. It did introduce bump steer though and I think I will be doing the same ORD setup. Bummer on the drop pitman arm, I have the 4" skyjacker arm and no reamer.

I love the flex offroad, but it does handle a bit wiggly on uneven lanes in construction zones at freeway speeds.

4" is a tad more lift than I am used to to climb into the beast. I was tempted to go with 2", but the 4" is growing on me and the visibility in traffic is great!
Thanks
Ken

 

[JAlderman]

42" from the steering arm to the pitman arm.

 

[Moab4x4]

Thanks.
Maybe I can get all mine at he same time this way.

I agree with the frame stress issue. I installed my new PSC box and it is great. I think I will order one of these new repro steering box frame brackets. Dodge Ramcharger Central - Cummins Diesel - Ram Truck - Power Wagon - Trail Duster - 4X4 - Plymouth - Chrysler - Mopar

Hmmm which comes first in the budget wars, Front Locker or Crossover??? (both are going to have to wait for paint. )
Most of the time I am not offroad, so the Crossover benefits would be helpful all of the time, but the Detroit would be Most helpful occasionally... .

I love this type of quandary, which bomb next? I think the "almost done" in the sig will the the only thing permanent. :-laf
Ken

 

[JAlderman]

Those braces look awesome, thats exactly what I've been looking for.