Help with steering.

[JoshF]

Long story short we are doing a full width soa swap in a jeep.
The funds are not there for high steer right now but we got a bunch of tubing at a steal.
What I am looking for is a piece with a tapered hole for a tie rod end that has male threads on both sides of the hole. If I can find this we can build our steering cheaply and easily from tubing and threaded inserts. can anyone point me in the right direction?

[jaber]

From what you are describing, your steering will not be up to par.
THE ONLY SAFE WAY TO DO STEERING ON A SOA RIG IS TO DO CROSS OVER OR FULL HIGH STEER. ANYTHING ELSE IS PUTTING YOUR SELF AND OTHERS AT RISK.

The geometry of the steering, if not kept flat, with result in major bump steer and will wander all over the road. My '88 with a 4" lift kit was all over the road untill I put a drop pitman arm on it, and even now has some bump to it.

Please be safe...;)

[onesunJ10]

I know someone who did exactly what you are talking about. I'll see if I can get some info.

Obviously true crossover would be better. But if you can drill and tap your knuckle, you can probably find a decent deal on an arm....like this http://polyperformance.com/shop/Dana-44-Standard-Height-Steering-Arm-p-19837.html

While I kind of agree with Jaber, I disagree that it is so phenominally dangerous that you shouldn't do it. There are tons of stock vehicles that run similar "Y" set ups. If you are gonna lift it sky high, then please avoid that set up. If you are keeping it mildly low, and you can avoid hitting the leaf spring, all while not putting bends in your tubing... Go for it.

Speaking of tubing. What size tube did you get?

Also, what is the intended use of the Jeep and give us some specs please :thumbsup:

[onesunJ10]

I talked to my roomate and we are pretty sure it doesn't exist without some custom fab.

However, this is a standard part that would probably do the exact same thing. This is what my buddy used on his set up for a couple years.

http://www.partsmike.com/store/store.php?crn=204&rn=1112&action=show_detail

[Chief Gunner]

I just finished a spring over axle lift. In my opinion, there is no way you can safely run a steering set up without going at least cross-over. Looking at how my setup is, the drag link would hit the springs without a cross over set up. If you try to bend some tubing to clear the springs, you are just asking for trouble. I got a steering and stud kit from partsmine for about $120 and it was shipped same day. Great folks to buy from. There is a truck salvage yard that sells flat top D44 knuckles for about $75 a piece. I might be able to put you in contact with someone who could mill it down for about $50-$60 that is local here in San Diego. Let me know if your interested. Take the time and spend the money to do it right the first time even if it means waiting a little.

[JoshF]

thanks for the help guys. this setup is just temporary to make the first trail ride of the year. Which was just postponed so we may be able to scrape up the cash for at least a crossover setup.

If not it will have to be that blazer outer tie rod and a crooked drag link for a little while.
Not much highway driving planned for this thing but it would be nice if it could be driven on road once in a while.

thanks for the links.

So far we got 120 ft of 1 3/4 .125 wall tubing for 70 bucks. Similar prices on all sizes.

[azpackrat]

Maybe this is in your price range?

http://www.offroadunlimited.com/orustore/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=502&idproduct=8239

I bought one a while back, haven't installed it yet but it is stout and well made.

[cocurtiss]

Maybe this is in your price range?

http://www.offroadunlimited.com/orustore/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=502&idproduct=8239

I bought one a while back, haven't installed it yet but it is stout and well made.

Does that work with the j20 3/4 ton front dana 44 with the 8 lug?

[Tad]

Does that work with the j20 3/4 ton front dana 44 with the 8 lug? Pretty sure that is the same arm BJ's sells, just that BJ's includes the drag link parts needed and new ball joints for that side.

http://www.offroadunlimited.com/orustore/pc/catalog/D44Knucklel.JPG

http://www.bjsoffroad.com/cartgenie/images/large/crossover.jpg

I've installed two of them locally.
It's a decent, complete package.

[cocurtiss]

but that will work with all fsj's?

[Tad]

but that will work with all fsj's?
The knuckles are interchangeable between all disc brake (possible drums, not sure) FSJ D44's, GM D44's and GM 10-Bolts, there might be other applications but I have not looked into those.

On the BJ's versions I have installed there looks to be a tapered bung TIG welded in for the TRE on the drag link so there might be a difference there and BJ's has them setup to work for our TRE's (I'm not sure if there is a difference, I went 1-Ton TRE's in '06 and never looked back).

I'm pretty sure that those cross-over knuckles were created because lifted GM solid axle rigs get into some steering issues with their stock setup. It's very common for them to go cross-over.
The first time I actually saw one in person though was on a lifted '95 Wrangler right about the same time BJ's put their kit online.

[cocurtiss]

Then my soa is not far away if thats the case. I will probably order it in the next couple of weeks!