D44 Crossover Steering

[JeepingMoose]

Hey Folks!

Gotta J Truck with SOA (someone else's work) with the stock pitman arm/draglink setup sitting at about a 30 degree angle! Bumpsteer galore!
How hard is it to install the draglink on top of the steering knuckle? I have seen conversions involving drilling and tapping the knuckle for an adapter which the draglink bolts on to, but is this conversion something for an accomplished backyard mechanic?

Let me know your thoughts!
Thanks!

[Bob Barry]

This is a machine-shop operation. Lucky for you, your '76 should already have the flat-top passenger-side knuckle.

Installing everything once machined, however, is something the average mechanic can tackle.

[JeepingMoose]

Yep, the 44 has a flat top. Being a machine shop operation, does that mean I must remove the knuckle for them to work on? Take the entire axle in? Can they do it on the truck? Is it POSSIBLE for the backyard mechanic to do the drilling and tapping without the aid of a machine shop?

[Damage, Inc.]

http://www.pcisys.net/~rjhump/temp/knuckle.jpg

[JeepingMoose]

COOL! Does that come in kit-form? If not, where did you get the new arm? What was the total cost of parts/labor?
Thanks, keep the info comin folks!

[Damage, Inc.]

It was $300 for both arms, hardware, and a ball joint set from PartsMike (www.partsmikeparts.com). Tell him what you want and he'll take care of you, making sure you get everything you need. If you don't replace the ball joints (I do recommend it though), it's $80 less.
The machining was done by a local shop, $30 per knuckle. Ask around your area and fine someone who has experience doing the flat top knuckles, to be safe.

It took me about 45 minutes to get both knuckles off, so it's a rather quick job, for the most part.

Good luck!