So, I finally got my new parts to fix the hacked up steering. I bought skyjacker part fa325 2 inch drop pitman and their adjustable trackbar sdl250 for my 79 f-250. I have a dana 44 front and 6 inch lift. After I installed the parts the steering was a lot tighter but, would turn all the way right and when you turned all the way left the wheels were straight. I tried everything I can think of and am at a loss.

Any idea what I am doing wrong? I thought this would be the weekend I got the truck back on the road but, it's not looking so good.

Thanks in advance,

Kyle

 

Do you have crossover or push pull ?

 

I wanted to crossover but it was a little more involved than I have time for now. I just moved so I can only come back every once in a while to work on the truck.

So I have the old school push pull style.

 

Any ideas?

 

If you purchased a 2 inch drop pitman arm, you have one that is not large enough for the 6 inches of lift, even with the adjustable drag link. This drag link should be shaped like a lazy "Z" or even a lazy "S" and is designed to help maintain a better angle from the pitman arm to the steering knuckle.
This limited turning radius is a result of a sateering design that just cant work at these angles. To fix, either find a pitman arm with mroe drop or use a block under the steering knuckle.
Unfortunately, each and every additional modification that is made to the push / pull style steering is only gonna add cost and reliability sort of goes down hill.

Crossover is not as complex as some may be led to believe. In fact, if dollars were compared, we might see how the x-over might have been about the same amount of money, only with greater results. Now more money has to be thrown at a problem that should have or could have been eliminated from the beginning.

After all of the additional monies thrown at this push / pull design, it can only be marginal at best. Just the nature of this style of steering.

During off road travels, the limited steering raduis is made worse by a cycling suspension. WHen the driver side wheel droops, or reaches full extension, the best turning raduis will be dead straight, even with the steering wheel turned all of the way to the left. The design will not allow the drag link to change length and the radius will be compromised.

 

It is only a 6 inch lift. Thats what skyjacker recommended. So I guess I should send them their parts back.

 

Either Trail Master or Sky Jacker makes a drop drag link and you probably will need the pitman arm you have now to go with it.