Cross over steering question.

[Justin V]

I purchased a parts truck that had your crossover steering on it. I do not know which of your drag links he had (as in which kit he bought versus the lift he had). After transfering everything and finally getting it adjusted, I am concerned that I am not having enough engagement between the rod ends and the link. Here is a ouple pics showing exposed threads on the rod ends and for reference the truck has 6 inch front springs with the axle (10 bolt) moved forward 2.5 ish inches. The length of the draglink is 37.5 inches (measured in a straight line, not along the curve), not counting the locknuts. The exposed threads measure 1 inch on each side plus the thickness of the locknut is 1/2 an inch. I don't know how long the threaded portion of the rod ends that you use is.

 

[K85 Octane]

Mark the threads with some anti-seize or something else white and pull them out. Then you'll know for sure how much you have. I personally like to take a file and mark the threads real close to the jam nut, doesn't take much, but it stays in place and is easy to reassemble everything perfect

 

[Justin V]

I was trying to avoid disassembling everything again but I still can't get everything to be happy under this truck. I either end up with the steering wheel off center, or the pitman arm off center, or more turns to lock going one way or the other. I'm going to start over, and work from the wheels back to the column, which will require seperating the draglink from the pitman arm again. Easy enough to pull the rod end out and check while I'm there...

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

The draglink we normally send for that application is about an inch and a half longer than what you have there.

The general rule of thumb is that you need one diameter worth of thread engagement as a minimum, so 7/8" in this case. We try to get as much thread engagement as possible.

 

[Fastereddie]

I would start the other direction. Start out centering your gearbox, then re-index your pitman arm to be straight back if it's not. Then make sure your wheels are toe in adjusted and pointing straight ahead. Then adjust your drag link till it drops in place. Sounds like you might need a longer link though.

 

[Justin V]

That's basically the plan. I will have this figured out tomorrow. May also be ordering a draglink...

 

[Justin V]

Pulled this stuff apart just now, looks like I have plenty of thread engagement. In this pic the jam nut is where it would be as installed.

 

[Justin V]

And WE are victorious. (I say "we" only because I hope someone else is paying attention... lol)

The truck finally turns the same either way, has a centered wheel, and a centered pitman arm.

And I ended up compressing the draglink slightly too.

So I have a little (3 turns) more thread engagement.

Thanks to everyone who helped.

 

[Fastereddie]

Glad you got er straightened out.