Steering options w/ SOA?

[tjosha]

Well now that my SOA is complete, I'm looking at working on the steering. What options are available? Right now it looks like a small bump in the road is going to get the springs in the middle of everything. I have read RiverBeast's web site and the link for Parts Mike is no longer good. Also I have found that RockStomper offers a bent tie rod that could possibly work.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

[Crazy_Jeepman]

High steer conversion is what I am doing. I do not see any other way to do it so as it is safe.

[tuck]

If you're planning on street driving I would suggest crossover steering.. draglink raised up and the tierod left in the stock position. You'll to machine a flat-top knuckle for the passenger side, get a fabricated arm for the passenger side, and make a draglink to connect everything together.

[dnixon]

or you can just be a crazy man like me and drive with a 45 deg drag link angle.. everybump shoots me in everywhich direction.. but you gets used to it... haha.. but its nothing to be taken litely...

[Damage, Inc.]

Doesn't a DPA worked with SOA?

[Crazy_Jeepman]

Originally posted by Damage, Inc.:
Doesn't a DPA worked with SOA?If you could get one with 6" of drop it might. 4" is not enough though

[dnixon]

doesn't parts mike make a 6" DPA for FSJ.. yeah my 4in doesn't cut the mustard with my SOA..

[tomd]

Originally posted by SLOwag aka-dnixon:
[QB]doesn't parts mike make a 6" DPA for FSJ[QB]Yep, parts mike parts has 6" DPA.

[Crazy_Jeepman]

Only thing I do not like about that big of a DPA is I think it would put a lot more force on the steering box. With big tires maybe even more than it can handle. I like the Cross over steering better.

[tjosha]

Has anyone tried the Rockstomper drag link?

Tim

[tjosha]

And where is Parts Mike's website?

Thanks

[dnixon]

www.partsmikeparts.com (http://www.partsmikeparts.com) or www.partsmike.com (http://www.partsmike.com) i think .net works too..

[tjosha]

Crazy jeepman
Exactly what are you using in your setup for High steering?

[dnixon]

I will eventually go to high steering but right now I can't afford it.. you will need flat top knuckles from a Chevy D44 and you will need to get them machined and drilled and then you will need components such as a highsteering arm and various other things that can be bought at www.partsmikeparts.com (http://www.partsmikeparts.com) Then you will have to have a custom built draglink and if you raise your Tie rod probably a custom tie rod too... So all in all its a lot of stuff and the most expensive things I imagine are the machining cost and the new draglink.. but you can read a little bit about it over on River Beast's website he currently has High Steering in his rig

OH yeah if you have the money you can call parts mike and tell him what you got and he will send you the whole kit with his custom cast flat top knuckles and all the gear included just look on his site for that..but no draglink

[ February 03, 2003, 11:45 AM: Message edited by: SLOwag aka-dnixon ]

[oldyellowwagoneer]

Originally posted by SLOwag aka-dnixon:
...you will need flat top knuckles from a Chevy D44 ..Not true.. If its a mid '70's jeep it'll have a flattop also.The difference is that the jeep tie-rod ends point down raising the bar up higher than the chevy tie-rod ends that point up. You have to either run 2 jeep or 2 chevy knucles.
Dennis

[Navajo]

If you have the knuckles, Offroad Design can machine the knuckles for $70, and supply you with everything else you need.

[tjosha]

It's a '79 Cherokee, will those knuckles work without machining?

[dnixon]

Originally posted by scoutgrl:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by SLOwag aka-dnixon:
...you will need flat top knuckles from a Chevy D44 ..Not true.. If its a mid '70's jeep it'll have a flattop also.The difference is that the jeep tie-rod ends point down raising the bar up higher than the chevy tie-rod ends that point up. You have to either run 2 jeep or 2 chevy knucles.
Dennis</font>[/QUOTE]Learn something new everyday! What years was this roughly would you say? New prey for the Junk Yard!!! Thanks...

Originally posted by Navajo:
If you have the knuckles, Offroad Design can machine the knuckles for $70, and supply you with everything else you need.Where are these guys from? Do they have a website? 70 Doesn't seem too bad... Do they do good work?

Didn't notice this line before:
Also I have found that RockStomper offers a bent tie rod that could possibly work. i would suggest against it.. The bent rod is not going to be as strong as a straight one (although rockstomper makes some pretty heavy duty stuff) and its not going to correct your problem. When you connect two ends of something it doesn't matter how you get there its just like having a direct line from one to the other but just not as strong now that its bent.

[ February 04, 2003, 06:39 AM: Message edited by: SLOwag aka-dnixon ]

[imported_Big Red]

okay I have read everything..so a 6in. DPA will work on a SOA with factory springs, right? Getting ready to do mine and I am trying to get all parts ready.

[River Beast]

My 14FF and D60 are coming in tonight..

I will be selling my high steer setup....

interested? ;)

It will be:

pass side flattop knuckle
3" BDS spacer
1" forged high steer arm
upper and lower balljoint (if needed)

...let me know....all you have to do have draglink fabbed up.

[imported_Big Red]

What are you asking for it, Todd?

[Bob Barry]

Yes, inquiring minds want to know... smile.gif

[dnixon]

darn.. why don't i just stay on this board all the time... well todd if those two don't want it I WANT IT!!!! put me in line.. haha... ;) ;)

[ February 04, 2003, 07:50 AM: Message edited by: SLOwag aka-dnixon ]

[River Beast]

$200 + shipping...I thinks thats fair to pass along

order of inquiries:

#1 Bob Barry
#2 Donovan

I didn't mean to step on your post....

BTW...

Parts Mike is still in BIG BUSINESS with 44's

here is the link to the Dana 44 page

http://www.partsmikeparts.com/Dana44.htm

[ February 04, 2003, 09:11 AM: Message edited by: River Beast ]

[imported_Big Red]

Just got off of the phone with Parts Mike and he has convinced me to go with your set up RB. I'll take your set up. I will not nee the big spacer so if anyone needs it please let me know.

[ February 04, 2003, 09:17 AM: Message edited by: Big Red ]

[imported_Big Red]

We keep typing at the same time! Just saw your reply. It is a deaL!

[ February 04, 2003, 09:20 AM: Message edited by: Big Red ]

[Bob Barry]

If for some reason Big Red doesn't end up with it, keep me next on the list. I was of the opinion that I would get a hi-steer setup for my SOA Chevy axle if one dropped into my lap for a decent price, and that's a very decent price. Otherwise, it's a 4" DPA and a bent drag-link to work with stock springs.

[imported_Big Red]

Bob Barry, if for any reason it does not work for me (don't know why), I will let you know!

[River Beast]

BR...

It's yours! As soon as I can get my D60 in I will let you know...

Send me your info via email...

Are you in a hurry for this?

[imported_Big Red]

Not in a hurry. I am looking to start in about 3 weeks or so. Just let me know! I can wait, to save over $100.

[River Beast]

Originally posted by Big Red:
Just got off of the phone with Parts Mike and he has convinced me to go with your set up RB. I'll take your set up. I will not nee the big spacer so if anyone needs it please let me know.Just so you know... I have the 3" spacer in there with a stock pitman arm right now with stock springs.... and the draglink is perfect!

If you remove the 3" spacer, you will need a Drop Pitman arm...

I'll take a pic later on and post it for you as it is setup right now with stock springs and high steer.... you may want to do it this way to ensure no interference with the top of the spring as it will sit a bit close.... you'll see...

[nxcj]

Just to add my 2 cents: I used a bent drag link connected to the tie rod on my CJ for a while (as many on here have). Short story is: it worked. However, it wasn't perfect and bump steer was still evident. It does add more stress to the box and it leaves the drag link and tie rod down low to bang on rocks, stumps and the like.

For my new Wag project I ordered arms from Shakerbuilt.com for $100 (he sells them tapered for a tie rod end or drilled straight for a rod end (heim)and had a buddy drill and tap my knuckle for $50. There are a bunch of templates floating around the net that give the correct drill pattern for the knuckle. You can show this to your local machinist and likely get it done at a decent price as it takes some of the guess work out of it.

Email me if you want the template. nxcj@hotmail.com

[River Beast]

not all FSJers are fortunate to have flattop knuckles... they must be purchased from a boneyard donor which can run up near $100 if they know what they have is precious.

If you have the flattops, you're half way there.... then you have to get the machining, drilling and tapping done.

Now if you mess it up... you just screwed yourself. that is why I hd mine done by Parts Mike... he had been doing it for some time now and does a GREAT job and always willing to lend the extra help of tech talk when needed.

If you are in good with a machine shop.... more power to ya... some of us aren't that fortunate to be within 100 miles of a decent one....

I'm not at all opposed to doing work yourself.... heck look at my FSJ.... ;) but some things are worth it to have done by someone you knows the ropes and not risk messing up you junk to cost you more in the long run.

[ February 04, 2003, 12:02 PM: Message edited by: River Beast ]

[tjosha]

So what models/years did come with flat top knuckles in the Jeeps. Someone said mid '70's?

Tim

[imported_Big Red]

Hey thanks RB for looking out for me!

[River Beast]

Originally posted by tjosha:
So what models/years did come with flat top knuckles in the Jeeps. Someone said mid '70's?

Timyeah... I think 73-74 were the last years for the flattops...not sure though... I got mine from a GM 44

[River Beast]

Originally posted by Big Red:
Hey thanks RB for looking out for me!no problem at all.... take from someone who has done it all.. 2 and 3 times over at least!!! :eek: ;) LMAO!!!!

[tuck]

I thought FSJ's had flat tops from 74-77 or something like that. If you know what you're looking for you could probably find a pair at your local junkyard. I think I saw a pair last time I was there.

BTW '73 would probably be a closed knuckle Dana 30 and wouldn't have the appropriate knuckles for hi-steer

[River Beast]

Tuck.. I stand corrected... 74 is the start of the flattops... I am thinking GM.... but 76 is the last year for flattops on the gm 44's (pass side)

[ February 04, 2003, 04:31 PM: Message edited by: River Beast ]

[Navajo]

Originally posted by Navajo:
If you have the knuckles, Offroad Design can machine the knuckles for $70, and supply you with everything else you need.Where are these guys from? Do they have a website? 70 Doesn't seem too bad... Do they do good work?[QUOTE]

WWW.OFFROADDESIGN.COM (http://WWW.OFFROADDESIGN.COM), they are the same people that make the NP203/205 doubler. They are located in Colorado.

[ February 04, 2003, 06:00 PM: Message edited by: Navajo ]

[jode]

Here's a dumb question...why does the knuckle need to be machined?

(BTW, I have a 76 wag with stock flat-top knuckles. tongue.gif )

[River Beast]

To ensure a flat surface... casting is not 'flat' and if you have highs and lows in the casting... you are asking for trouble when you mate the high steer arm to the unmachined knuckle

[River Beast]

BTW... here is aDIRTY pic of the stock springs, SOA GM 3/4T shackles and high steer steup using a stock pitman arm... there is plenty of clearance over the spring.

http://home.earthlink.net/~riverbeast/misc/stockSOA.jpg

Don't rag me... she ain't been touched since September.... :eek:

[ February 04, 2003, 07:09 PM: Message edited by: River Beast ]

[flyboy]

74-77 for flat tops on Jeeps