Attn Pro: X-over steering question....

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Feb 13, 2004 | 12:25 AM

77'F-150Mudder

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From: Boise, ID

Attn Pro: X-over steering question....

Bear with me, I know these are probably bone head questions.

I've read all the posts about X-over steering but I'm confused on a couple of points.

First, Pro, you recommend a 2wd (F-150 I think, correct me if I'm wrong) steering box in order to get steering arm movement in a horizontal plane vs. a vertical plane. Correct? If I have that right, wouldn't an F-150 4wd box accomplish the same thing? Looking at your pics, I see the pitman is pointed to the rear. Is that the purpose of the 2wd box? Is having a rear facing pitman part of the criteria of the x-over? Or is the rear facing pitman just used to gain clearance between the links and leaves?

I'm going to assume for a moment that the pitman DOES NOT have to point to the rear to qualify as x-over. That being said, wouldn't the stock steering setup from a 78'-79' F-150 ALMOST qualify as x-over? I say almost since the drag link attaches to the tie rod instead of the steering arm. Is making one of these true x-over as simple as using the pass. side arm for the drag link attchment point? Obviously that would mean custom steering links with rod ends, but do you see what I'm getting at??

Feb 13, 2004 | 12:41 AM

proeliator

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From: Oregon

On the old F-250 4x4s, the steering box sticks the shaft out horizontally from the frame. The 2x4 boxs stick it straight down, or vertically, which is what you want. I thought the old F-150 4x4 boxes were the same as the 250's, but if they stick the shaft straight down to mount the pitman arm on, then yea, you could use them. The purpose of using the 2x box is to get the shaft verticle, so you can hang the pitman arm of it which will allow you to use the link to acheive your crossover...its really about a change of leverage. The direction of the pitman arm is for the proper angle although you do get better clearance like you guessed. For the life of me I can't think of what a 78-79 1/2 tons steering link setup looks like......I've always stuck with the hiboys (67-77 F-250 4x4s). That, and I'm brain fried tonight. Don't know if I answered any of your questions...so I'll take another look at this tomorrow after I've had a nights sleep.

edit: And the only bonehead questions are the unasked ones

Last edited by proeliator; Feb 13, 2004 at 12:50 AM.

Feb 13, 2004 | 01:00 AM

77'F-150Mudder

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From: Boise, ID

OK here's a pic of my junk from when I first got it together. It's a little dark but you can make out the pitman, drag link, and tie rods. No comments on my messed up trac bar angle.

You can see the pitman points forward. You can also see the drag link runs to the pass. side of the tie rod. What you may not be able to see is the attachment point of the drag link which is a few inches inboard of the pass. tie rod end.

Feb 13, 2004 | 02:08 PM

proeliator

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From: Oregon

Okay, I see what your saying, and see how your stock set-up is allot more like the cross over conversion then what comes on the highboys. So why do you want to change it?

Feb 13, 2004 | 03:24 PM

77'F-150Mudder

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Well, I don't really want to change it per se. I was basically asking to satisfy my curiosity.

I have been thinking of making some DOM tie rods and drag links though. The first time out with my 36"s I tacoed my tie rod. I'd like something that will hold up a little better. I also want to move the TR on top of the arm.

The bottom line is, with all the x-over talk lately, I just got to wondering why the F-150 setup was so overlooked.

Feb 15, 2004 | 12:07 PM

proeliator

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From: Oregon

I'd say because guys are wanting to use the 3/4 to 1 ton stuff, and on the old iron it was a simple push pull design. By the big change over in 78, things changed, and as you can see the steering design is more like the crossover steering conversion we do on our older trucks or with the dana 60 swap. I think if you just swap out your wimpy stock links for some heavier ones you'll be fine.