what is crossover steering

[powerdriver 1958]

ive heard some guys talking about it but never seen it.does it really help?my truck has 6"lift and 4"body lift and the steering kinda sucks. got any pictures? its a 83 3/4

[b454rat]

Not a very good pic. Instead of the draglink going forward and backward, it go left to right. The DL connects to the pass side knuckle instead of the driver side. When you go over 6" or so, really should go this route.

[powerdriver 1958]

can this be bought as a kit or do you retro fit other parts

[Yukon Jack]

www.offroaddesign.com has a full kit as do a number of other 4x4 websites.

[kwmech]

Try this also--right down the road from me-- www.partsmike.com

[johnnywagon]

Most chevs can survive mild 4x4ing w/o crossover steering but any significant "wheelin" w/o it will cause boo-koo probs. Not to mention all the stress put on the driverside leaf spring/frame and components. I have lots of gorey details if you want.

[b454rat]

The dropped arm and crossover arm pretty much have to be bought, at least the crossover does. Some trucks and vans from Ford and Jeep have a drop to them with the right splines, but are short, won't steer the same either way, one side goes farther than the other. The draglink can be made, i made mine out of a 3 peice tierod off 80s trucks. Shorten to whatever length you need. GM DLE thread right into it.

[msgross]

don't you have to switch gearboxes as well? I have a set of flat top knuckles if you need to buy a set. here is a link on the x-over steering...

http://www.offroaddesign.com/Dana44crossover.htm

[b454rat]

Forgot about the steering box, mine is factory set up like that Easiest way is to get a 2wd box from the same year truck and swap it in. And need a set of flattops off a 70s 1/2 or 3/4 ton. Dodge are the same IIRC, just the tierod goes down instead of up. Could have that backwards...

[1tonswb]

You do have to use a 2wd box. The pitman arm I use is the late model dodge pitman arms. I think its off of the late 90,s to 2001. The arm fits on the sector shaft but I did have to reverse the taper for the drank link. Other pitman arms that I have used in the past is superlift 4 inch for 78-79 ford broncos and f-150s. Althought you still have to ream the taper out. Ive always ran dana 60s so the steering arm is a bolt on. For the drag link I use 1 inch solid round steel and turn the ends down to 7/8 and then weld the adjusting sleeves to it. Or you can cut 7/8 24tpi threads for the adjusting sleeves. The drag link ends are factory 73-91 pieces. Its fairly easy to build and you gain so much.

[drink2mny]

Don't forget about us..

http://www.blackbirdscustomtrucks.com/index12.html

Which we also support this site.

Crossover steering is a great improvement or a dropped pitman arm or a raised steering arm. It reduces bumpsteer and helps alot better when playing offroad in the ruts.

You won't fight your steering as much when just driving on the roads and hitting bumps and potholes.

I had it on my 86' blazer when I had a 44 up front and then on my 60 when I went one ton.

worked well with 36" and 38" swampers..
Give us a call if you have any questions..