Cracked Frame & Crossover Steering

[johnnywagon]

Not uncommon on our trucks, major frame cracking. Lots of welding in my future and finally going to install my crossover steering kit.

My question is does anyone have pix and info on how to fab up a bracket/brace to connect the crossover steering arm to the passenger side lower knuckle mount by the center link? A lot of D60 guys aroung here have been snapping the mounting studs on thier steering arm. I got some ideas but would like to see what others have done?

Thanks!

[manimal]

Off Road Design sells a repair kit for the frame. I have to do the same thin for my K10. While youre at it get the brace so it wont happen again.
-Lance

[johnnywagon]

All ready fixed the frame and built my own steering box brace.
Thanks.

[84 400]

Is your blazer in allen's you tube vids?

Might check over on wheelingdixie for some ideas on the crossover alot of those guys have done the d60 swap and gone crossover.

[Captainfab]

It's hard to tell in the pic, but it looks like when you added to your spring hanger you welded across the bottom of the frame? If so then that's why the frame cracked where it did. Looks like you wheel that thing hard....

[FormerMember]

The studs on the steering arms snap off because the nuts will slowly back off over time. Got to lock tight them and keep them torqued down.

[Burt4x4]

Originally Posted by grendel

The studs on the steering arms snap off because the nuts will slowly back off over time. Got to lock tight them and keep them torqued down.

Bingo!

Not sure how to do a crossover without a steering arm added. I think I remember a post were someone had a drag link that looeked like this ~ to reach the lower knuckel the drag link had plate gussets welded to it were the bends were. This was over on Pirate and all the jerks over there SLAMED this guys desgin and said it would fail...grain of salt with thoes guys...there just out to piss in everyones wheaties anyway.
I ended up buying WFO HighSteer arms, custom built for me:


With my low lift and not much room for highsteer WFO tried 3 different combos to make it work and this is the final solution:

The pitman arm is from a fullsize Jeep Wagoneer drilled out for bigger TRE.

Instead of the draglink connecting to a second hole on the steering arm mine tapps into the tirod end.
So far so good, works very smooth. I have less than 10hrs wheelin time on this setup over the last year so everything is still fresh..time will tell
If you buy steering arms get the type that eliminates the KingPin Spring.

See mine, nice and flat on top were the zerk fitting is. The newer ones have a set screw there to adjust the load onto the cone, mine uses shims to increase/decrease the load/stiffness..
anyway...

[johnnywagon]

Originally Posted by 84 400

Is your blazer in allen's you tube vids?

Might check over on wheelingdixie for some ideas on the crossover alot of those guys have done the d60 swap and gone crossover.

Yes, bright yellow Blazer, in lots of Allan's (mountainexplorer) you tube vid's.

[johnnywagon]

I have an all steel passenger side steering arm, Im just thinking abount connecting it to the knuckle with more than the 4 studs. Burt, I borrowed a picture of yours to show what Im thinking. (I know its the wrong side, but you get the idea).

[dammitmitchell]

Omg sexy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MickMc]

JohnnyWagon
My core support is broken in the same spots.
My guess is to much frame flex, my fenders are cracked too.

But the frame is not broken at the steering box (I've had cross-over for 20 years, maybe that helped).
The core support has been welded and re-broken several times, so now I want to change to the 89 stlye front fenders from my 80 style.


Mick

[FormerMember]

Originally Posted by johnnywagon

I have an all steel passenger side steering arm, Im just thinking abount connecting it to the knuckle with more than the 4 studs. Burt, I borrowed a picture of yours to show what Im thinking. (I know its the wrong side, but you get the idea).

There are lots of folks on Pirate that have done that. If you can weld cast properly, go for it. They also do double shear steering links now.

After market knuckles made by Reid Racing use a fifth hole in the knuckle:
http://www.reidracing.biz/DANA60.php

I've never had one come off, if I lock tight them and do the preventative maintenance. I'll go with Reid knuckles when I break my stockers...

Frame cracking is common with the push pull type steering found on our stock 4x4 trucks. It's allot of force that causes bump steer. If the bolts on the frame loosen, it's more of a problem. As indicated, crossover steering can certainly help that, as does correct steering geometry. Most frame crack happen when the steering linkages bind.

Overall, what size tire are you running? What sort of wheeling do you do? Do you have a steering maintenance program?

[johnnywagon]

Originally Posted by grendel

Frame cracking is common with the push pull type steering found on our stock 4x4 trucks. It's allot of force that causes bump steer. If the bolts on the frame loosen, it's more of a problem. As indicated, crossover steering can certainly help that, as does correct steering geometry. Most frame crack happen when the steering linkages bind.

Overall, what size tire are you running? What sort of wheeling do you do? Do you have a steering maintenance program?

Oh, Im not confused or concerned about the how and the why this happened. I know why. Hell, its not even the 1st time. I wheel the crap out of my truck, thats what it for, it still drives me home from the ORV park every time....so far. (knock on wood) .

Just like everything 4x4, you break it, you fix it better and so on...

As far what kind of wheeling? I probably wheel it harder that most "full size-ers", but Im not some throttle jockey thrasher either. I respect my equiptment and know its limits and rarely go beyond them. Like I said its all for fun. Check out this video, you'll see what kind of wheeling I do. Theres some good shots of me about 2 minutes in. Thanks everyone for thier input! You guys all kick-ass.

YouTube - 7MileORVMarch14NoMusic

[johnnywagon]

Crossover's done.

[royo]

Looking good

[johnnywagon]

Finished my core support brace and got her all back together!

[Burt4x4]

Lookin Good

??for you??
Did your rig come with any type of plate INSIDE of the frame were your steering box bolts up?
Mine did, it's rivited to the frame with factory rivits. That pic above I posted of my front axel you can see the thick plate on the inside of the frame were the box bots on.
Just curious..wondering if I need to keep an eye on my core support too????

[johnnywagon]

Originally Posted by Burt4x4

Lookin Good

??for you??
Did your rig come with any type of plate INSIDE of the frame were your steering box bolts up?
Mine did, it's rivited to the frame with factory rivits. That pic above I posted of my front axel you can see the thick plate on the inside of the frame were the box bots on.
Just curious..wondering if I need to keep an eye on my core support too????

Yes, I have that plate. My frame was so tore up that I drilled several 1/2 holes in the frame behind the steering box, (but not thru the backing plate) and plug welded the frame and backing plate together. As far as the core support, I think my problems are mostly due to the stupid "plastic" body lift.