Can someone explain what I am doing wrong?

[gottwake]

Here's some background. The frame is a 4x4 conversion to 2wd. The crossmember was dropped 1.5". The front of the frame (crossmember forward) was sectioned and a 2wd front clip was installed. I did this for the power steering, i didnt know if the 4x4 application was going to work and I had one laying around. Anyway, should I just relocate the power steering higher and / or forward or where ever it works best?

[FnLow69]

i would just move it up, you need to keep the angles the same. moving it forward would be more work in the long run...

[gottwake]

Thats what I was thinking but I didnt want to get all crazy and start moving things without checking here first.

[Frizzle Fry]

Should be moved up by the same amount that you sectioned the crossmember.

[gottwake]

Here is a new problem. When I do this, the pitman and the idler arm hit the frame and will not allow turning or movment of the steering.

[smashingchuck]

If you raised the crossmember 1.5 inches, then the steering needs to be raised the same amount to retain the stock geometry of the suspension. You will have to notch the frame in the front so everything clears.

[gottwake]

Like this???
Anyone out there done this???

[smashingchuck]

I'll take pictures of mine tomorrow.

[gottwake]

Man...This totally sucks! I should have bought a dropmember. But, I have so much time invested into my sectioned cross member plus, I didnt see this coming.

[lolife99]

Most people don't realize "everything" that is involved after you move the crossmember up. Will notching the frame solve all your problems? Or do you have issues with the steering shaft and upper control arm?

[gottwake]

Upper control arm is good, steering can be easily worked out. I ran into this issue putting back together my steering. Im sure it can be fixed, I just want to know before I go cutting into the frame. I kinda knew going into it that this might be an issue dropping the member.

[smashingchuck]

well, just pretend that you are doing it 6 years ago like me when nobody made anything to do it...

[Captkaos]

I am trying to sort all of what you have done on this to figure out the problem, but how much drop are you trying to achieve with this setup? Are you wanting to drive it with no air in the bags? I haven't ever had a problem like this on the ones I have done, and XXL didn't have this issue either.

Your centerlink location shouldn't change and the tie rod ends should angle in relation to the amount of drop/lift you have.

In the pic are you completely aired out?

this is XXL's thread on the one I built for him:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=137398

[gottwake]

The pictures are of the truck as low as it will go. As you can see the box and
idler are actually raised and they are not even close to matching up. Comon you guys, somebody had to have ran into this with so many people in here?
Hey smashin C, I dig the truck, nice job. Did you take any pics??

[joe231]

Originally Posted by gottwake

The pictures are of the truck as low as it will go. As you can see the box and
idler are actually raised and they are not even close to matching up. Comon you guys, somebody had to have ran into this with so many people in here?
Hey smashin C, I dig the truck, nice job. Did you take any pics??

Originally Posted by smashingchuck

If you raised the crossmember 1.5 inches, then the steering needs to be raised the same amount to retain the stock geometry of the suspension. You will have to notch the frame in the front so everything clears.

Originally Posted by Frizzle Fry

Should be moved up by the same amount that you sectioned the crossmember.

Originally Posted by FnLow69

i would just move it up, you need to keep the angles the same. moving it forward would be more work in the long run...

looks like this is the popular answer..........how much did you take out of your cross member? in your pics, it looks like your box needs to go up more, and where it is, looks as though it is askew

[gottwake]

I dropped it like 1.5" (ish). Okay, lets do some hypotheticals so I can move forward and fix my truck...
Hypothetically speaking, if I raised the member 1.5 (ish) then hypothetically, everything else moves up the same. All agree? Cool.
So, if my box etc.. is hitting the frame as it was already moved up, then will it have to go up more? If so, is notching this much from the frame ever done here?

[FRENCHBLUE72]

You went 1/2 inch more than I did mine is close but all works pretty well.

[Captkaos]

How did you chop the crossmember? Did you do it using my method?

There are no bags mounted on the suspesnsion. There is NO way you can get that much compression out fo them. Raise it up, set your bags in place and see what it looks like. 1.5" should be fine on these. Like I said, I have installed a number of them and never had this issue, nor have the people I have sold them to. None (that have got them from me) have cut the frame for clearance.

[joe231]

good catch capt.

[jlaird]

maybe I should reread this whole thread, but why did you move up your steering components? When you section the crossmember, you do not have to move your steering components.

OK, just reread the whole thing. I am confused on why everybody told you to move the steering up. When you section the crossmember the way CaptKaos has outlined, all the steering stays put. The problem you SHOULD have run into is the inner tie rods hitting the a-arm U-bolts.

The part that may be different for you is when you say "The front of the frame (crossmember forward) was sectioned" I cant quite figure out what you mean by that.

Did you cut the frame at all which might be contributing to your problem? If I am reading this right, all you did was section 1.5". If this is so, I would put all the steering back to its factory location, put the bags in, and see where you're at.

[gottwake]

I will do that today...And let you guys know. Thanks for the plates "J".

[Captkaos]

[QUOTE=jlaird;2965865]The part that may be different for you is when you say "The front of the frame (crossmember forward) was sectioned" I cant quite figure out what you mean by that.[QUOTE]

I think what he is sayin is, he grafted a 4x2 front section to the it as the truck was a 4x4.

[jlaird]

[quote=Captkaos;2965986][QUOTE=jlaird;2965865]The part that may be different for you is when you say "The front of the frame (crossmember forward) was sectioned" I cant quite figure out what you mean by that.

I think what he is sayin is, he grafted a 4x2 front section to the it as the truck was a 4x4.

Oh ok, so are the steering box and steering arm bracket on the pass side in the same location as on a 4x2? If so, I don't see why he would have moved it all up 1.5".

[gottwake]

The only reason I grafted the 4x2 front clip was so i didnt have to think about the placment of the box, idler arm and removal of the front leaf spring perches.
So when I install the front bags, you guys think it will lift the suspension? Is that to say the bags wont compress this much (photo) and the crossmember wont lay on the ground?

[N2TRUX]

Yes, that's what they are saying. Mock your bags up "then" see where you are at.