Crossover Steering

[abledog]

Just completed installing a DanaTrac crossover steering on my 1990 W250 Wow what a difference.

The truck is a blast to drive, like driving a big go-cart.



Terry

 

[Thierry]

Where did you buy it from and maybe if possible can you send me some pictures as I would like to do it on my Cummins Ramcharger?



Thanks

-- email address removed --



Thierry

 

[RDusch]

INFORMATION PLEASE!!



Been interested in doing this conversion for awhile, just no time to do the research.



THANKS

Rick

 

[abledog]

The conversion is very simple, all bolt on.



www.danatrac.com machined a new steering arm that bolts to the passenger side dana 60 knuckle.



The steering box is unbolted from the stock 4X4 location remove adapter and bolted steering box to the 2X4 location. The 2X4 mounting holes already exists. Two of the holes are over size for the stock mounting bolts so I used large washers to back up the frame. This will work for a street driven truck. If you drive offroad or have larger than stock tires I would reinforce/box the steering box frame section.



After moving steering box, take amusements as per DanaTracks instruction sheet, give them a call and they will send you a drag link with tie rod ends.



The only piece that DanaTrac does not supply is a pitman. If your truck is not lifted the stock arm may work, if your truck is lifted you will need a dropped pitman arm.

 

[RHancock]

How about some pictures and a cost ???

 

[jbolt]

What exactly does this do other than get rid of the mounting braket? Not a bad thing but... ... . ?



Jay

 

[formula]

I think the company's name is actually "Dynatrac". You can find them at www.dynatrac.com



Also, there is some good info on such steering systems here: http://www.offroadunlimited.com/oru_steering_system.htm Blah, blah, blah... ... yeah, it's a Ford... ... whatever



Cheers,

Sean

 

[abledog]

Sean you are right about the name and web address for Dyanatrac



The cost of the conversion parts from Dynatrac were $279. 00 for the drag-link and tie rod ends, $149. 00 for the steering arm. The 4" drop pitman arm cost $50. 00 and came from 4 Wheel Parts.



The two photos show the steering box in it's new location and the new steering arm on the passenger side knuckle.



Terry

 

[abledog]

I'm working on photos. The files extensing are not valid. Trying to swap them over!

 

[SGTLawson]

Here are some pictures and details to this conversion. Thierry, you might want to take a look.



http://ramchargercentral.com/boards/index.php?board=&action=howtoshow;id=36



I'm not sure if I got that address right. If you go to ramchargercentral.com there is a how to section. Crossover steering for a dana 60 is listed there.

 

[abledog]

Jay:



The conversion's main advantage is that it reduces the bump steer. Lifted truck with larger/wider tires=



Terry

 

[tgbol]

I know this is a first gen forum but here is a link for the Gen 2ers

http://www.pavementsucks.com/tech/steeringupgrade.php



Parts, Tools and How to.

 

[jbolt]

Originally posted by abledog

Jay:



The conversion's main advantage is that it reduces the bump steer. Lifted truck with larger/wider tires=



Terry

Terry- Forgive my ignorance but what is bump steering? Never heard the term before.



Thanks,



Jay

 

[tgbol]

Bump steer is the change in steering geometery when the suspension moves up and down. On our trucks because the tie-rods form an inverted Y the toe-in changes with axle movement. Converting to cross steering eliminates that change.

 

[Paychk]

Simpler terms: Your driving along hit a bump or chuckhole and the truck tries to drive in a direction of it's choosing. In really sever cases the steering wheel literally is ripped from your hands, even with power steering.

 

[abledog]

tgbol and Paychk are absolutely right! My truck with 6" of lift and 14" wide tires had a mind of it's own, you never knew where it was going to go.

The crossover steering solved the bump steer making the truck much more pleasant to drive. The wide tires still track and follow groves in the road but now a slight tug on the steering wheel is all that's necessary for steering correction.



Terry

 

[MMiller]

I have done this conversion on my 75 dodge that I use for offroading. I had to cut a slot in the crossmember to leave room for the drag link when the suspension flexes. I only have a little 4 inch lift on my 75.



It makes for much easier steering off road when a locker in the front and mud tires are fighting with the steering.



The crossover also helps on a lifted truck to keep the turing raduis the same in both directions. When you lift the truck and move the axel further from the steering box then the geometry changes and the steering needs to be turned to make the truck go straight, then it will turn less one way then the other.



My other trucks will get this conversion some time. yah know when the money comes in faster

 

[abledog]

MMiller:



I looked at the drag link to crossmember clearance and it may be close to hitting when suspension flexes on the passenger side. Thanks for the heads-up!



Terry

 

[sparks57]

Can you still use aftermarket steering shafts (Borgesson) with this setup?



When I was looking through I couldn't tell if it had a custom steering shaft.

 

[tgbol]

the cross steering only replaces the tie rods. You can use after-market steering shafts because they are between the steering wheel and gearbox. The great advantage with cross steering is that the tow in will not change with up and down travel keeping both wheels pointed in the same direction.