Crane High Clearance and Ford 60 Knuckles

[sled_dog]

Is Crane High Clearance in business anymore? Their old website is dead and can't find a new one...

I am trying to shop Dana 60 knuckles. I've got a couple stripped out lower trunion bolts, a stripped out steering arm stud hole and then the fact that the Ford knuckles are known for being "weak". I could drill and tap all the steering arm stud holes bigger, and then the bottom holes as well(with are already 9/16" if memory serves). But I am polishing turds in the end, and to do it right I would probably have a machine shop drill the holes since they would be accepting studs and need to be perfect. Besides I will be replacing everything on the axle except the housing, inner cs, and inner axleshafts so why not replace the knuckles? ha, Cheap 60 my ass.

Anyone know if anyone besides Dedenbear is making knuckles for the Ford 60s?

 

[gmc4cw]

solid makes knuckles for the 60. I personally think they are a better design. you have to use their arms with them though. PM FOR MUD, he just busted a knuckle and did a lot of research.

http://www.solidaxle.com/products/d60kpknuckle.htm

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

I heard one of Chris Crane's business partners stole $350K from the company and disappeared forcing the company to file for bankruptcy.

They have since been "bought" by another company here in CO and they are back in business making the same products. They make great products and I highly recommend them

 

[sled_dog]

solid makes knuckles for the 60. I personally think they are a better design. you have to use their arms with them though. PM FOR MUD, he just busted a knuckle and did a lot of research.

http://www.solidaxle.com/products/d60kpknuckle.htm

Crane arms had the same "keyway" but not the tierod arms(which I have no use for anyway being high steer). Thanks guys.

 

[gmc4cw]

Crane arms had the same "keyway" but not the tie rod arms(which I have no use for anyway being high steer). Thanks guys.

it never hurts to have options. when FOR MUD broke his he called around and found out that hi-steer reduces your steering force to the tires by 30 percent. that means the power steering needs to work harder to turn the tires. He is going back to the tie rod in the stock location.

I run mine there. If you have big enough tires it will never hit the rocks.

whatever you decide, hurry up and get it done, you live to close to not go wheeling with me.

 

[sled_dog]

yea I know I really need to get out there. Hopefully August it will be trail worthy.

Need a new power steering pump and box anyway so I am going to go right to hydro assist. But that is puting more stress on the weakest part of the Ford knuckles, doh. Going to shop and see if I can find some stock Ford D60 knuckles without stripped holes and just reinforce them for now. I need to do everything I can to get the truck rolling ASAP.

 

[gmc4cw]

just mount the tie rod in the stock location and the ram down on the axle. it takes tons of stress off the top of the knuckles.

I am hard on mine with 44's in the rocks, no failures yet. I am starting to get a bow in the stock tie rod. eventually I will get a thicker one.

 

[sled_dog]

Already have everything(except the Tierod) for the high steer setup. Might as well just use it I think. It looks sweet if nothing else I love looking under the front and seeing nothing but that badass Bluetorch Fabworks diff cover.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

I run mine there. If you have big enough tires it will never hit the rocks.

You need to find some bigger rocks

 

[gmc4cw]

You need to find some bigger rocks

or put your tire on the rock so that the tierod travels up with the axle. with 44's it hard to get close enough to that size rock right in the middle of the truck.

I know you are being funny but seriously, that would be one f'ed up obstacle if my tierod was hanging up.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

or put your tire on the rock so that the tierod travels up with the axle. with 44's it hard to get close enough to that size rock right in the middle of the truck.

I know you are being funny but seriously, that would be one f'ed up obstacle if my tierod was hanging up.

You could slide off your line and get hung up on your tie rod or there may be more than 1 rock to overcome.

My tie rod is in the stock location and I have no plans on moving it in the near future. Just playing devil's advocate