Crossover question
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Crossover question
Im getting my dana 44 knuckle machined so i can go crossover.Looking at where my steering box is sitting and the new arm will be the drag link will not be running parallel to track bar.Parallel if you looking from the wheel sideways not from the front.I dont think it will be a problem ,just want it confirmed.Could move steering box back ?
Post Fiend
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Are you talking about tryong to keep the tie rod, and drag link parallel when viewed from the wheel well?
This angle does not matter.
The angles that become important, is when a trac bar is run, since the drag link and trac bar should be at the same angle (when viewed from the front), and getting the math right when calculating pitman arm lengths, relative to steeering arm lengths.
This angle does not matter.
The angles that become important, is when a trac bar is run, since the drag link and trac bar should be at the same angle (when viewed from the front), and getting the math right when calculating pitman arm lengths, relative to steeering arm lengths.
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Tell me more about pitman arm length and steering arm length.I am having pitman arm made and steering arm.Was just going to copy my pitmans lenght and make steering arm come out to over the existing tie rod.
What will happen if the pitman is made longer ,you will just get better full side to side steering and bump stop will stop it.
What will happen if the pitman is made longer ,you will just get better full side to side steering and bump stop will stop it.
Post Fiend
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It will be close to impossible to maintain a level drag link, but it does not have to be.
You must simply make sure that the pitman arm is not so low, that the driver side spring becomes, or gas the ability to strike the arm, or drag link during full suspension compression.
By changing the length, or stroke of the pitman arm, you will lose the amount of required turns the stering wheel has to turn to run the wheels from lock to lock, and by hitting the stops, on the axle, you can damage steering components, because the box continues to apply pressure. This may not be a good thing.
You will also affect the relative speed of the steering, Steering arms that are too long, or too short, could cause the steering to become twitchy.
Here are a couple pics that I took just a few minutes ago.
Just scroll through my photobucket for more. Brief explainations are there also.
Image of Drag link & pitman arm clearance - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
You must simply make sure that the pitman arm is not so low, that the driver side spring becomes, or gas the ability to strike the arm, or drag link during full suspension compression.
By changing the length, or stroke of the pitman arm, you will lose the amount of required turns the stering wheel has to turn to run the wheels from lock to lock, and by hitting the stops, on the axle, you can damage steering components, because the box continues to apply pressure. This may not be a good thing.
You will also affect the relative speed of the steering, Steering arms that are too long, or too short, could cause the steering to become twitchy.
Here are a couple pics that I took just a few minutes ago.
Just scroll through my photobucket for more. Brief explainations are there also.
Image of Drag link & pitman arm clearance - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
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When i first got the truck i wasnt getting full lock to left so lengthened pitman and cool ,but twitchy like you said.What is your pitman measurement eye to eye 6" ,the steering arm would be the same eye to eye measurement i presume.And would the measurements be different on different boxes.
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Post Fiend
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My piman arm is 7 inches, form sector centerline to bolt centerline.
I run a D60 F and my steering arm is mounted differently, so this probably will not help.
I run a D60 F and my steering arm is mounted differently, so this probably will not help.
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So if i measure my old horse shoe one from center to center ,i can use that as accurate measurement for both.
If both steering arm and pitman are being made up does it matter.Eg both 5"s or both 8"s will it make a difference.
If both steering arm and pitman are being made up does it matter.Eg both 5"s or both 8"s will it make a difference.
Post Fiend
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I am not so sure that I understand what you are asking me.
Perhaps re-phrase.
Are you asking if the steering arm has to be a certain length? That answer is yes. If you change the length, the arm will have to move at a larger, or greater arch, to turn the tires the same amount. This can work for or against you, depending on the length.
Which arms are you using? These steering arms are made by many aftermarket companies, and the guess work is all done. I understand the shipping situation, but that is small compared to possibly getting the thing wrong, and having to do it again.
I only slightly recall you using a one off box with little to no aftermarket support, so making, or modifiying an existing pitman arm is necessary, but making steering arms seems like more trouble,and expemse than it is worth.
Perhaps re-phrase.
Are you asking if the steering arm has to be a certain length? That answer is yes. If you change the length, the arm will have to move at a larger, or greater arch, to turn the tires the same amount. This can work for or against you, depending on the length.
Which arms are you using? These steering arms are made by many aftermarket companies, and the guess work is all done. I understand the shipping situation, but that is small compared to possibly getting the thing wrong, and having to do it again.
I only slightly recall you using a one off box with little to no aftermarket support, so making, or modifiying an existing pitman arm is necessary, but making steering arms seems like more trouble,and expemse than it is worth.
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Getting arm made properly for quite cheap.
My old arm was made longer to get full steer.If i use old steering arm measurement and use that for new crossover arm,should be right.Then make pitman a little bit shorter according to that measurement.Because my pitman is now an unkown in the equation.
Apparently pitman shold be about 8% shorter to give nice power steering feel.Eg Pitman lenght 6.5" divided by 7" arm =0.92 ,between .85 and .95 is good.
My old arm was made longer to get full steer.If i use old steering arm measurement and use that for new crossover arm,should be right.Then make pitman a little bit shorter according to that measurement.Because my pitman is now an unkown in the equation.
Apparently pitman shold be about 8% shorter to give nice power steering feel.Eg Pitman lenght 6.5" divided by 7" arm =0.92 ,between .85 and .95 is good.
