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Crossover Steering conversion...

Greg72

Greg72

@MIGHTASWELLK5
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Anyone done a crossover steering conversion? I found out that all my front-end components (ball joints, tie rod ends, etc) are wasted. That's why it steers so BAD. I figured that if I have to pull the front end apart, I might be better off doing the crossover steering conversion at the same time.

I hear that the steering box needs to be swapped out for a 2WD version (turns the OTHER way) and it looks like there are lots of adapters, etc.

What should this realistically cost and is it worth it (for those of you who have done it)????

Thanks,

-Greg
'72 K5 w/427
Thumpeta-thumpeta-thumpeta..... ;^)
 
Duno the cost involved but a few have done this in the 73 and up forum! One mod that you may have to do is a custome crossmember were the motor mounts too. Not sure about our rigs but I know that some other yrs had to replace the stock crossmember!!??
GoodLuck
Oh ya you ready to whell that thing yet???

72K5
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You can check out what Rockstomper made for Shawn at http://www.off-road.com/chevy/tech/d60crossover/

And here is where Glen did it on a Dana 44 (Glen is our Modulator, or something like that.) Anyhow, he even gives part #'s <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.off-road.com/chevy/crossover/>http://www.off-road.com/chevy/crossover/</A>

Hope I was some help.

See Ya,
Keith

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Born to Drive My K5
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Burt4x4,

If I don't get this steering fixed....I WILL be offroad!!! Maybe some morning off the side of Hwy 237....

I would definitely be a 'liability' to an offroad group right now. And I'd hate to be 'that guy who keeps breaking down on the trail'.

My time will come, and I will take you up on that. Have you contacted Steve Chin about joining us here?

-GregB
 
hahaha LOL I hear ya Bro!!
Better to fix it now and then when you finnaly get ready for that virgin run make sure you let me know and I'll go with ya!!
ARQ and I are gonna try to plan something for the late summer FirstGenK5 run #2 so try to have it ready so you can join us!
Yes I sent StevO an email but have not heard back from him yet.

72K5
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Thanks Keith!

I had found a few of those articles, but didn't fully understand that one was for 44 and one was for Dana60.

I like the look of those beefier Dodge rod ends...one less thing to worry about!

-GregB
 
A friend of mine has a '71 with cross over and an 8" lift, no cross member mods neccesary to run a straight tie rod. The first gen cross members don't hang down like the '73+, I suspect you wouldn't have any problems with a smaller lift.

Pete

'83 K5, 350 TBI (ex 6.2), 700R4, NP208, Dana 60/14 bolt, 4.56s, Detroits, 3" lift, 15-39.5x15 TSLs
'97 Dodge 2500 4x4 CC LB Sport, Cummins 5 spd
 
The only down-side is that you can't run a front anti-sway bar under the frame because there'd be a linkage conflict. I suppose you could mount an anti-sway bar above the frame (above the radiator?) and run some long end links to the spring plates. We've had to do similar stuff to race cars for one reason or another...

Anyhow, if you're considering an anti-sway bar, this is food for thought.
 
First gen blazers Didn't have way bars. Most that do now have been modified 73- up bars, made to fit our trucks. And glad to see some of you guys from Blazer.net on this board!


[image]http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1328774&a=9975627&p=33244094[/image]
 
How do you modify the '73- sway bar to fit a 1st Gen? I would like a little less body roll on the street.

'71 Blazer CST with alot of rust
 
That's good info that I hadn't considered....

BTW -&gt; I have decided to get 'down and dirty' on this front end repair and do it myself. I didn't own any SAE tools, so I went to Harbor Freight and ordered a set of impact sockets, a pickle fork, etc. Never ordered from them before, so I don't know what the quality will be like....but the prices are VERY reasonable so it was worth the risk! Any specific tools that you would recommend that would make this easier? I don't own a ball-joint press, so I will have to beg to use my neighbors.

-GregB
 
hmm, well Wheelbearing nut socket, torque wrench, c-clip spreader(i forget the name, for removing the hub assy.),dead blow hammer,special socket for removing the threaded sleave were the ball joint goes on the knuckel(forgot that name too). That is all I can think of right now, i'm sure I forgot something..........

72K5
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I think the words you are looking for are snap-ring pliers and spanner wrench?? Also while you are at it get a 15/16 deep socket for the spring u-bolts. I had to run out to Sears and get one in the middle of swaping the front axle (still ain't back on wheels yet).

'71 Blazer CST with alot of rust
 
Ya Ya what he said
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........

72K5
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