crossover steering

[mongocanfly]

while mocking up the power steering on my project truck ive run into a issue with the tire hitting the steering linkage....the wider frame of my project is pushing the steering box out towards the tire...its been suggested I try crossover steering....
anyone have any input on a crossover setup...ive never used it before so what to look for and what/who to stay away from would be helpful......thanks

[Miller's Metal]

ORD has some cross over stuff. you will need a 2wd steering box, a flat top knuckle.Needs to be drilled and tapped, and some other stuff they have kits on the web site.

[dozerbill72]

With your frame being that much wider you might look at using a car box with your cross over. They mount on the inside of the frame. Jeeps use this set up and it gives even more tire clearance.

[mongocanfly]

a inside frame box would be great if possible....I just don't want to go buy a bunch of parts unless I know its gonna work...ive already got a pile of parts I may not need....im still reading up on crossover steering....

[mongocanfly]

I was looking at ORD website [http://offroaddesign.com/catalog/Dana44crossover.htm] and see they have what I need....
I was also directed to ebay for a diy kit [https://www.ebay.com/itm/CHEVY-10-BO...3.m1438.l2649]....
they both sell the reid knuckles...not sure if ones better than the other but the ebay kit is much cheaper[get what you pay for]
im also seeing where as MM pointed out that ill need a 2wd gearbox instead of the 4x4 box
I looked at the jeep inside the frame setup and if someone has done this some comments would be helpful

[dozerbill72]

I have built 5 box tube jeep frames over the years and used inside boxes on all of them. I always used mid 70's Cadillac boxes from the junkyard. The Cadillac has a slower ratio plus the one from the yard will have the pitman arm on them. Another thought on your wide frame is steering column to gear box alignment. If I can get my card reader to work on the computer I will post some pics. Now I have to ask why the wider frame?

[mongocanfly]

well I was trying to keep this a generic type question..trying to understand the crossover setup....the frame is under my IH build...
on the IH the frame is over the leaf spring...on the chevy frame the leaf is outside the frame....about 6in difference in width
not really concerned about steering column to gear box alignment....that's nothing ujoints and dd shaft cant fix...
ill look at the caddy box

[b454rat]

DIY4X has killer stuff. I had his Dana 60 kit, and now have the 44 kit. Arm is one piece, heavy duty, ends are heavy duty as well. I have nothing against ORD, but DIY's kit is lil cheaper.

[mongocanfly]

thanks Rat..i tried searching for them last night but never found em....think I kept putting in diy4x4....not diy4x....I found em now

[abig84]

If you do a inside the frame box make sure your steering shaft will clear the motor and reach the box. I have the exact same issue on my 52 chevy truck I mounted a 80s box into but not as bad, I just ended up notching the frame a hair, only hits it right at full lock so I just have to spin the bump stop out a bit on the right side. There's just no way to get a 2wd box in there with the v8 there

[mongocanfly]

thanks big84 ....
I won't have the same issue you had on your 52....my frame is much wider than a 52...that's what's causing the issues with putting a gearbox outside the frame....I've got plenty of room inside for one though...I'm waiting on ORD to get back with me on a option for a inside frame gearbox that'll work with their setup...
the caddy box dozerbill suggested may work for me...

[obijuan]

Inside the rail box sounds like a huge waste of time.
Put a 2wd box and traditional crossover and be done.

[mongocanfly]

obijuan....go back and look at the pics... (i added a couple more)...a 2wd and 4wd steeringbox mount the same and have the same dimensions. ...the tire will hit either one no matter what...that's why it has to go inside the frame....trust me...I'd rather have it outside but it just won't clear....
when the tire is at full right turn its 3 1/2" from the frame and spring....the 2wd and 4wd box stick out approx 6 " from the frame.....

[obijuan]

The first and only photo showed it touching the drag link and not the box. Didn't expect that much steering capability out of the d44.

If that were me I would move the box rearward on the frame and use a forward swing outside the rail scout box. That would keep it outside the rails but much further back. Some chevrolet vans have a box that probably mounts just lile that one. But you have to move it back.

[mongocanfly]

yeah someone else recommended a scout box...ill look at the van box and see what it looks like....

[b454rat]

Simplest is crossover. When the tire is all the way to the right, the DLE will be the too...

[BLAZERMAN]

Crossover steering is great as long as you have enough room for it, on most trucks you need at least 4" of lift for it. Since your springs are sprung under frame instead of outside I think that would work in your favor. Just something to be aware of before spending a bunch of money on parts you may not be able to use.

[mongocanfly]

I heard from ORD today and they suggested a 88-98 chevy truck box with the crossover steering...I looked a one today and I think thisll solve my clearance issues...the gmt boxes mount inside the frame and swing side 2 side...

[mongocanfly]

the crossover steering setup solved my problems...88-98 2wd steering box mounted inside the frame and ORD crossover steering setup...

[special-K]

I was reading my way down waiting for my chance to suggest using the 88-98 truck box since those sit inside the frame and are also more narrow/less bulky.