S,O,A Steering set up choices.

[Trey_bo]

Okay guys i just wana get everyones 2 cents on the steering set up and choices after a soa. I have a 1977 j10 with soa and dont run a x-over, hi-steer, or any other form of drasticly changed steering set up. I run a set up that is just as safe as any x-over set up ive seen. i drive 40 miles a day on my set up and have no problems.
My set up is a 6" DPA from bj's offroad and the stock steering arm i took a piece of round tubing and bent it using a manderal bender that drops my arm low enough to clear the leaf spring and still turn the wheels far enough to rub on both sides. i fabbed up a few pieces of 1/4" metel to strengthen up the steering arm bend to ensure no bending. it still has all the adjustments it did stock.
My whole steering set up only cost me about 35$ and works great. If you can cut, weld, and use a mesuring tape you can do this set up. I know its not the best way to do it but for people out there like myself who build there FSJ's one pay check at a time it helps alot.
I would like to get some feedback on my set up and get other peoples ideas on steering set ups.

[Chief Gunner]

Without seeing your steering set up, it is hard to visulize what you are talking about, but here is my .02 cents, take it for what it's worth. Steering is one of those areas where you want to make sure things are done right. I have noticed while driving off road, steering takes a lot of huge hits and has to be bulit proof. Driving on road probibly isn't as big a deal, but if you plan on any type of off road driving, it has to be solid. I am doing my stuff ona paycheck to paycheck method as well. I simply am buying parts as I can afford them. Once I have everything, I am going to do SOA and cross over at the same time. I look for deals on parts and I know some guys that have some great fab skills and even better tools which is a big help. I think you could do a cross over steering set up rather inexpensivley. I am looking at the following parts:
used flat top knuckle from the junk yard $75
high steer arm and stud kit from partsmike $105
2 hiem joints and DOM tube $75
drop pitman arm from BJs $65

These are ruff estimates, but you can see about how much I am gonna do it for. Of course, there are always extra costs, but I believe it should be done right...... especially when steering is involved. Either way, post up some pictures of your set up.

[Burn Victim]

Pictures please.

Adam

[Tad]

Good to see you back Trey.
Sort of sounds like the original RB setup.
That didn't last long but it was not ment to.
Most folks here are pretty open minded, let's see what you came up with.

[Trey_bo]

Pic....

This is what i came up with..... I know its ugly but it works..... What you guys think?

[Trey_bo]

picture..

.....

[fullsizejohn]

I would think the bumpsteer is pretty bad with that set up.

[Trey_bo]

bumpsteer

you know thats what i thought when i was putting it all together but with a good stabilizer shock its really not too bad (I've driven stock arm xj's with worse)...