I just remembered, it was "Stone Crusher” Anthony Terry started where I got the ’69 4.2L. One motor from VA and Tony’s over in TN
(Jacksboro). He musta sold SC Steering to Duff’s?
I would like to do the TRO (Just flip the linkage). I had the steer linkage from my ’70 over to a local machinist who’s put adjusters on a
2nd end and in the top rod for more adjustability. He’s never in (lives between several farms and is all ways @ 1 of these neighbors due
to havin the shop) & I cant get it onto the ’77 frame altho done several yrs now...
I dont think I’ll go “extreme” anything. Retiring rig from 70% off rd / 30% on to the opposite & leavin to my 26 y/o daughter. No cross/hi steer,
no rod end, big bar linkage. I may 2* ream the knuckles right on the rig altho my machinist background sez ah, ah, ahhh. Dont U drop in some
kinda cheb spacer/bushing THEN lay in the rod end? Like said not seeking heim joints.

 

I am getting there....

 

Order placed for the last couple of parts (shim/spacer) to get the new steering linkage installed. I am getting there.

 

like the attitude !
U Go !

 

The parts will be here from Michigan on Wednesday. I plan to have it together wed evening. Do a steering test, do 4wd operation test, do a flex and clearance check. The site say the pieces and parts I am adding will give me 12* to 42* of articulation. I think longer brake lines and modifying my front steering stabilizer is next. Oh and replace the power brake booster.....

 

Yes it drove up there, and then the back end started coming around. The only limit was the dvrs side rear tire was coming off the ground.

 

Snow pictures are also on the property? Or if in some adventure?

 

Adventure....lol I work to much to get to go on a real "adventure trip". The snowy pics are right on my property, but from a while back, of course. Like a number of winters ago. Lol The RTI ramp IS at a place we like to go wheeling. The other pics are from my mini off road park I built in built in my back 40 during covid with free stuff.







Then I cut a path to the creek crossing.

 

Well steering parts are test fit installed, I need to do some more work on the knuckles (welding) and probably need one more short spacer to be able to get the 42* of articulation out of the heim joints. But I am getting there.

 

ALL back together, except for the steering stabilizer being set. I need to connect it back to use it as a "shock/damper" to control issues like slamming into a trail side rock, that spin my steering so fast that it bottoms out the worm gear in the steering box and that in turn cracks the end cap of the steering box. Did that explanation sounds like is was from experience....

Once I get it fired up I'll do a w/engine running w/power steering steering linkage (full range of motion) check. Making sure my knuckle stops are set correct so I do not exceeded the u joint range of motion and make sure nothing else is binding up. Then set the steering damper so it is working as it should.

Put the front tires back on and take it for a test drive and then function check the new lock in/outs. Maybe do a little flex check on something out in the back yard. Also have to put my sector shaft pitman arm end skid plate back on. And clean up the mess in my shop.

 

Looking good Rich,

Yes, Your explanation sounded like a voice of experience.

 

I have had a few "steering box" destruction incidents. And a Saginaw box is getting hard to find. 1st time I cracked the housing, was NOT running s steering damper. So after I found a replacement, got all the internals switched over. Dealt with some PO hackery in that area. Replaced the stretched out hdwr. Built a steering box anti flex bracket. And used a Duff Stuff stiffener bracket. And also built a sector shaft/ pit arm end skid plate, things were better.









Then I hit a big rock in a very narrow steep V trail whipped the steering (again NO damper and almost broke my thumb. YES I normally wheel "thumbs out"). But still managed in the blink of an eye to free spin the system and bottom out the worm gear hit and split the thin aluminum end cap almost in half. Dumped my Sag p/s box fluid every where. I have since got a 1" thick end cap, got it and the top cap drilled and tapped so I can run hydro assist steering some day.

 

I thought about Hydro assist but in reality I dought that I will every do any rock crawling.

 

The steering box sector shaft mini skid plate.


Where I got my idea to flex brace the steering box. Yes easy to do when nothing is on the front of the Bronco.

Since you have easy excess to your frame and that is a known weak area, you might think about doing this. Double plate the inside and add a gusset.

Also think about trac bar gussets while you are there welding. https://www.broncitisparts.com/produ...rac-bar-gusset


That is my next upgrade, I am still rocking the trail side weld repair. It looks UgLy as sin, but it is holding like a rock star so it is staying. Until I add the hydro assist and add a Kiser Riser to the axle tube.

 

Well the Bronco started easy enough, just my Ford truck buddy/shop help had work, so I did not have a spare "hand" to be turning the steering wheel while I was under there to check movements and clearances. Always tomorrow.