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Anyone have any experience w/ dropped draglink/steering arm spacers for Dana 60?

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Bookshelf

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I've got a 90 V30 w/ 4" lift and 35's. Right now it has stock steering components, the drag link is on a pretty steep angle and one of the ends is worn out anyway. Is there any fix that works well to lessen the angle, such as a different steering arm, dropped pitman arm or draglink? I don't think crossover steering is necessary at this point. The truck will never be seriously offroaded, and these are the biggest tires that will ever be on there. Thanks
 
I would put a 3" steering block on and run it. I've always heard the drag link needs a little downward slant to more closely duplicate an OE set up. The 3" block would come closest as a 4" drop drag link might be a tad too much.

On my 91 crew cab I had 6" of lift with 5" of correction (2" drop piman arm and 3" block) and it steered very nicely. Mine was strictly a street driven truck so, like you, I couldn't justify the expense of crossover for the application.
 
Bookshelf said:
I've got a 90 V30 w/ 4" lift and 35's. Right now it has stock steering components, the drag link is on a pretty steep angle and one of the ends is worn out anyway. Is there any fix that works well to lessen the angle, such as a different steering arm, dropped pitman arm or draglink? I don't think crossover steering is necessary at this point. The truck will never be seriously offroaded, and these are the biggest tires that will ever be on there. Thanks
Click to expand...

Like he said, the block is the best option, the dropped drag link is actually only to help the ball joints angles but the line of force is still at an angle which is bad for steering even on streets with a slight bump or sag in the road there will be excessive movement in the steering.
Not so with a steering block added.
 
i ran the block didnt like it.

then i got the drop pitman arm for the box. still running it today. my truck is 1ton 4x4 with 4"hd lift and 35" h2 hummers with fisher plow in winter and no problems for me dd the truck all the time.

i will try and get pics for ya monday and post up.
 
HIJACK: sweetk30-where did you get your 4" lift. Got a K30 I'm trying to get 4" under so as to get 35" tires.
thanks.
 
goose i just used 4" springs from any 1/2 or 3/4 ton. but mine are hd units for the 8ft fisher hd plow thats in at 750 lbs when on the truck.

and here is a few pics of the drag link. :doah: sorry i forgot and didnt take them. i only took rim pics. to dark now tomarrow night .
 
I'm running a dana 44 on my half ton, but with a 4" lift I use a 2" drop pitman arm. I ran a 4" raised steering arm which sucked balls, way too much bump steer. Ran with stock steering which sucked balls, felt like I was steering a cruise ship. The 2" drop pitman makes the blazer handle better than my volvo sedan!
 
Where can I get a dropped pitman arm for a one ton? Another thing, does anyone make different/custom steering arms? My stock one drops down, if it stuck straight out it would probably be perfect. I thought I was on to something when I looked at one of my Dodges, they actually offset up, but the draglink taper is the opposite way...
 
The pitman arm is the same for 1/2 thru 1 tons.

The Dodge arm will work you just need to have it reamed in the opposite direction to the correct GM size. There is enough material to do it.
 
nvrenuf said:
The pitman arm is the same for 1/2 thru 1 tons.

The Dodge arm will work you just need to have it reamed in the opposite direction to the correct GM size. There is enough material to do it.
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Agreed.

I got a Dodge arm and sent it to DIY4x and Kert rewelded the hole and then retapered it to the correct side. Cost was very, very reasonable but I "tipped" him extra.
 
Bookshelf said:
I've got a 90 V30 w/ 4" lift and 35's. Right now it has stock steering components, the drag link is on a pretty steep angle and one of the ends is worn out anyway. Is there any fix that works well to lessen the angle, such as a different steering arm, dropped pitman arm or draglink? I don't think crossover steering is necessary at this point. The truck will never be seriously offroaded, and these are the biggest tires that will ever be on there. Thanks
Click to expand...
My '85 K30 has 4" front and rear springs and 35's. It only has the drop pitman arm, nothing else. If I could do it over again, I'd use this pitman arm along with the raised steering block.
The drop pitman arm is actually a true 1.5" drop, not 2" as claimed. The raised steering block is actually 2.5" instead of 3".
Using these two would net a true 4" of correction.
 
dont use the block, its a band-aid fix. get a drop pitman arm or a bent draglink. the block puts a lot of side stress on the four studs holding the steering arm to the knuckle.
 
dont forget you want slight drop from front to back on the drag link. trust me you dont want flat. i tryed the block with arm on 6" springs and it didnt even leave the parking lot. steering felt like crap.

dodge std arm reworked or drop pitman arm only. if you need more crossover is best.
 
Lots of different opinions, that's good. I remember someone telling me one time they had a block and the studs kept getting loose from all of the extra stress. I was thinking of using the Dodge arm, but am kind of nervous about having a steering arm that has been welded on. I don't want any cracking or anything. Aren't there places that make aftermarket steering arms? Couldn't you have ORD or someone take the arm they use for crossover and have it drilled for the stock draglink end? That would seem to be the right height if it came straight off and you had the hole tapered so the nut on the draglink end would be on the bottom.
 
Hijack on- I'm using 6" frt springs. I have a 4" dropped draglink & a 3" D60 block. Which would be better to use. I make make a 1/2" zero-rate (cut down overload) to throw in.-Hijack off
 
I'm the guy that had all the issues with the frigging studs loosening up. all said and done three of the four sheered off flush with the top of the knuckle. of all things i was backing into my drive way when it happened. I ended up going to crossover steering but thats because i run large tires and its my DD

I would reccommend that you run the drop pitman arm, and if you need more drop then get a s shaped drag-link. DONT USE THE BLOCK.
 
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