What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

crossover steering on stock truck? benefits?

Vombrown

Vombrown

Mountain Man
Joined
Mar 1, 2017
Posts
1,880
Reaction score
1,719
Location
Great Falls mt
Ok guys I've been working on these trucks for a decade. Never installed a crossover steering setup. The current build is my go to hell mountain truck. No lift and 285 tires. I basically have to wheel to get home to my mountain cabin. What will i gain from the upgrade? What will I loose. This truck will need to fight its way uphill and down in a Montana winter. Then take us to town.
 
There are lots of pros to the set up but you wont be able to fit it under a stock truck. I think the consensus is 3-4" of lift minimal
 
I wouldn't do it. If I remember correctly there's technically some decrease in mechanical advantage with crossover vs stock geometry. The big reason for doing it is steering thru suspension articulation.
 
If you wanted too it would need to be a kit where no high steer arm was used and you used a tie rod end with a hole for the drag link. Even then the drag link might need to be bent.

I see no real benefit on a stock truck.
 
mrk5 said:
I wouldn't do it. If I remember correctly there's technically some decrease in mechanical advantage with crossover vs stock geometry. The big reason for doing it is steering thru suspension articulation.
Click to expand...

my steering is superb with it.. albeit yes im on 6" lift...

but i dont think it technically degreased.. it increased..

very end ... you see nice turning

 
With this truck, unlike most here, about all the lift this truck will see is one inch. My last mountain truck was lifted six inches and while the body clearance was nice it wasn't needed. I had to remove the largertires for a skinnier version so the lift was wasted. 285's don't really need a lift.
 
You're going to loose your front sway bar, and it'll still be crowded up under the front crossmember. You'll want to make sure to brace the frame in also as you're going to be putting side loads on the frame that gm didn't intend. If you're not going to be lifting it, it sounds like you're not going to be doing a bunch of wheeling vs street driving. Don't think you're going to see the advantage of cost/work for this truck.
 
Vombrown said:
. I basically have to wheel to get home to my mountain cabin. What will I loose. This truck will need to fight its way uphill and down in a Montana winter. Then take us to town.
Click to expand...


This sounds like heaven....


Why would you even be considering this upgrade or mod? I see no benefit to it for your needs and just curious as to why you are asking. What made you even consider it?
 
Vombrown said:
I thought it might give better control and tighter turns in 4x4.
Click to expand...

well i can tell you the one biggest thing is on lifted trucks with push/pull... the steering components needed makes a less of steer...

I had proof but cant find the pic.. the steering block then S bar and i had a 20' left/right turning radius... now with xover it is way better... but I do have a 6" lift so not sure how it would work on stock...
 
I don't think there's a benifit on anything less than 6" lift and 35's.

I'm at that lift and tire size but mine isn't for serious wheeling and honestly I've never had an issue with stock stuff. Now I might do it if it gets torn up but not before.
 
Not on my current rig no. I went hog wild on my old 91. There was a significant change in feel and the swap is worth it after a certain size tire , but personally I didn't think it was worth it cost wise unless you're doing it for serious wheeling. It's practically required if doing rocks or serious off road work. The original poster doesn't want a lift however, and with barely 33"s the cost vs benefit ratio isn't in his favor.
 
RubberFloorMat said:
There was a significant change in feel
Click to expand...
Over the years I have had 28", 30", 31", 32", 38", and back to 32" on this same K5. With those I have had all sorts of lifts from zero to 6". I can't say there was a huge difference between 30" and 38" in how it drove. There's obviously a difference but it was 70mph down the freeway either way and slow crawling over rocks and blasting through the mud (didn't get far with 30" but also found bigger mud holes with 38" and just got stuck worse). Before this K5, I had a 72 1500 that had no power steering. With or without power steering, the steering isn't that great no matter what.

What was the biggest change in feel?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom