Wrecker D60 in a K5...ackerman angles???

[76zimmer]

I was reading Dirtygoats thread, and he was asked about the ackerman angle of the front knuckles. While I've heard of the term, I really don't know much about it. I know it has to do with the turning radius of the front wheels, but does it really make a difference of what vehicle my D60 came out of for use in my K5?

Mine came out of a Wrecker/Cab and Chassis, regular cab. The bed on it wasn't very long either, maybe 10' total????
Is this something that will affect my tire scrub enough to worry about on my K5?

 

[BGKYK5]

Don't worry about it. You are right that - in theory - Ackerman should be set for a specific wheelbase. But they used the same knuckles on 10B whether they were in a long bed or Blazer. I'm not sure, but I would guess the Ackerman is the same between 10B/D44 and D60s. Ackerman is only changed if you change where the tie rod mounts relative the kingpin axis.

 

[dirtygoat]

I'm running the tie rod BTA... Which will change the Ackerman when turning from what it was when stock... Not sure if it will be better or worse, but I've been reading a lot about it on pirate...

I'm hoping that I wont have the problem I see with a lot of guys, were the outside tire just plows when trying to turn out of a rut... Then agian, I might have more issues than guys with their tie rods in stock locations...

 

[76zimmer]

So running a cross-over keeps the kingpin axis relationship the same as stock right? That would be the distance away from the kingpin, that the tie rod is mounted to the steering arm?

And Dirtygoat what is BTA

 

[dirtygoat]

Cross over wont change the Ackerman, unless you move your tie rod at the same time... A lot of the arms out there for high steer change the distance of the tie rod in relation to the axis...

That's why I went with the BTA (behind the axle) set up... I don't know anyone up here that is running a d60 on leafs with their tie rod the same way I am with full hydro... So, I'm gonna be the guinea pig...

 

[76zimmer]

OK, I need to look at some pics so I can get this in my mind a little better.....My brain intake isn't comprehending this so good.

So your the guinea pig then.....stay tuned then huh?
I'll keep an eye on your post.

 

[BGKYK5]

Rough sketch of what ackerman should look like with reverse high steer.

With the tie rod in front of the axle the v-shape in the top picture should be the same - in other words the tie rod holes should be further apart than the kinpin axes (instead of closer together). There are some applications where you don't want exact Ackerman angles. Karts are one example.

 

[dirtygoat]

Nice sketch...

My tie rod stays pretty much parallel with the axle...

I couldn't really visualize how it was gonna turnout until I put everything together... And didn't have another truck to look at, so I was kinda worried about how the angles would be...

 

[76zimmer]

Yep, thats gets my brain thinking better. Thanks for the drawing. Helps alot.

 

[BGKYK5]

I can't take credit for the sketch, I just did a google image search for "Ackerman Angle". It is a little exaggerated (note how short the wheelbase is compared to the track width) to show the effect more clearly.

 

[Stomis]

The fix it to steering stop both the front and back of the knuckle. Wahlah no more angle.

Its set in design for typical vehicles but ackerman angle can take Ujoint beyond their limits in trucks like ours.

 

[jms]

...ackerman angle can take Ujoint beyond their limits in trucks like ours.

Steering stops determine u-joint angle, not the Ackerman geometry.