basic newb qs?

[Kaiser85]

So i read alot on here, but am a total newb to the blazer scene. So a few questions as to what are/benefits if certain things-

Cross-over steering (anyone have pics of a bef/aft)
2Wd steerig box
Hydro assist
Shacke flip (i know what it is, but aside from lifting, what are the benifits)
Jeep yj steerig (may be tj????)

Ill think of more later, im sure

 

[wage92]

So i read alot on here, but am a total newb to the blazer scene. So a few questions as to what are/benefits if certain things-

Cross-over steering (anyone have pics of a bef/aft)
2Wd steerig box
Hydro assist
Shacke flip (i know what it is, but aside from lifting, what are the benifits)
Jeep yj steerig (may be tj????)

Ill think of more later, im sure

I cant help you with all of these because im not a hardcore wheeler and still dont know myself, but shackle flip gives you roughly 4" of lift depending on what length shackle you use, and it retains your stock springs so you wont have stiff springs in the rear and you can keep the stock ride quality. It also points the differential pinion upwards toward the t-case which can help with vibrations and may get you out of using shims.

Jeep xj shaft, is a fairly simple swap, and the reason guys do it is to tighten up the steering, because rather than using the rubber rag joint on a stock shaft, it uses a universal at both ends, giving you a more positive connection from the column to the box.

I dont know as much about the others, but cross over steering helps you continue to be able to steer at angles that the stock steering cannot (when flexing and whatnot) and it also changes the stock push/pull steering draglink, and turns it into left to right, making it more natural and less stress on everything. Also, depending on how much lift and what type of springs are used it may be required.

2wd steering and hydro im somewhat clueless about, But i believe there is something about the 2wd box that makes it required when switching to crossover, and hydro make steering more effortless especially when big tires are on the vehicle and its heavy (helps in situations like rock crawling etc)

Thats what ive picked up over the last year or so, most people on here will be able to explain and tell you more, hopefully they chime in

 

[blazinzuk]

Cross-over steering (anyone have pics of a bef/aft)

The stock push pull steering style of our trucks leaves you with a very very short drag link ( goes from the steering box to the knuckle). So when articulating since the arm is so short the angle becomes extreme and it actually steers the rig on its own because of the drastic change of length occurring when droopping the drivers side. Crossover steering allows you to use a much much longer drag link. In addition crossover makes the whole geometry better on a lifted truck. Longer arm less angle change.


2Wd steerig box

Needed for crossover steering. Stock style steering pitman arm swings front to back. Cross over you need it to swing side to side. 2wd drive boxes swing side to side


Hydro assist

It increases steering assist. So in heavy terrain steering is easier. My hydro assist can turn my 42s with a front locker in just about any situation.
With a stock steering box as soon as I got in the rocks it became difficult to steer always.


Shacke flip (i know what it is, but aside from lifting, what are the benifits)

Allows you to keep a stock spring which may ride better. Less arch in your spring ( this really only applys to springs of less than 6" and doesn't apply at all to custom springs) The stock bushings are almost always frozen. If you use a DIY flip you can use a more conventional shackle to adjust ride height


Jeep yj steerig (may be tj????)

Cheap way to go crossover

 

[Kaiser85]

You dudes rock.

 

[Fordum]

Basically, except for the Jeep steering shaft, those are all things that help when you are pushing a fairly well designed vehicle WAY beyond what the original designers intended........

 

[Kaiser85]

Good stuff.

Is there a write up on the xj shaft install? I need to do it, im all loosey-goosey on the roads

 

[83ChevyK5Blazer]

http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=169874

 

[Kaiser85]

Thanks man! Looks like a pretty easy swap

 

[454Sub]

Take you all of 20min to do it. I had to grind a slot in the steering stub on the firewall for the pinch bolt on the XJ shaft to fit. I just beat my shaft until the plastic locking pins broke and it collapsed, then pulled it back out and bolted it to the box. Works better, looks cleaner.

Shackle flip also nets you more flex vs the stock style. But it does lower the rear of the springs, so getting hung up on them is a concern. Depends on your wheeling though.

Crossover = simply worth its weight in gold.