Hello- I haven't been here for so long it's like my first post but I am back and modifing the ole half ton.
Well I just had enough with the TTB tire eating issues and excessive steering wheel play so I dove in head first and modified the steering.

1st thing I got rid of the rag joint which is an eye sore and source of wheel play. I replaced the joint with a real universal joint from Flaming River. Actually this was a piece I had left over from a mustang project.

2nd I bought a rebuilt steering box and installed it.

3rd New caster camber bushings from Bronco graveyard

4th since I am lifted about 4"-5" I needed to address the crappy tie rod angles that eat the tires by designing my own steering system since there is no real good aftermarket.

End result is a "K" type steering with DOM parts from BulletProof Steering and their rod ends. Yeah it's a bit over kill but looks beefy as well. The end result is the "tie rods" are in the same radius as the IFS axle! This was a pretty involved mod that utilizes an idler steering gear on the passenger side. this actually started out as a super runner steering but it didn't totally correct the steering geometry- just helped. It also used factory type rod ends which aren't that great to start with.
Next will be a roller motor install with a cobra computer......................

 

Looks good! How is the steering feel? I'm throwing around the idea of replacing the rag joint with a u-joint too, but I don't want to create any unintended wear in other parts of the steering system.

 

Certainly looks Beefy. It appears to be modeled ofter the Superlift system only with bigger components. Is that the case?
http://www.superlift.com/accessories/superunner.asp

 

Yes- I originally had a super runner system and it helped with angles but didn't correct the problem. The super runner uses a swing arm on the passenger side with a soft bushing. I am using an idler stering gear- just for rigidity and strength. I have also eliminated the factory type tie rod ends.
The truck drives well and the steering is tighter than factory. The geometry should address the tire wear issues too.

 

this is actualy a realy nice desighn you got here wouldmake it harder to bend or break parts while wheelin in the mountains any way yo can make a complete parts list and instructions on how you did it?

 

I'm a little confused. What the part of the "K" for that goes to the passenger side and looks like it connects to another pitman arm?

 

Very cool man, nice job!

 

I could be wrong, but it's possible that it is another pitman arm and is just mounted to a free spinning bearing.

Nice linkage BTW- it's a big, mean, scary looking linkage! Not small and puny like my factory set up!

 

That thing on the passenger framerail is an idler arm, guys...quite a common thing to see on cars in the days before rack-and-pinion steering. It keeps the drag link moving in the same plane every time the steering wheel turns, which should lead to a better-steering vehicle.

I don't know what the engineer who came up with the IFS steering linkage was smoking, but the above setup looks like it should conceivable cure a lot of ills in the stock steering.

Pat

 

I am impressed.

 

What would something like that cost? Roughly anyways because that looks sik!

 

looks good, and very clean , my favorite!