Cross steer with a dropped axle

[dubie]

Has anyone set up their steering in this fashion? I was thinking of using either a Toyota or Vega steering box, mount it in front of the axle and run a tie rod to a bracket on the passenger side spindle. Then keep the new tie rod going from passenger to drivers side. My steering box is crapped out and it's almost time to put the truck away for the winter.
I'm looking for an alternative steering set up so I can run a tilt column, open up some added room for exhaust and increase my steering radius.

[mr48chev]

I've been thinking on it for a while but haven't done any actual mock up. I was thinking of using a larger box than the Vega box though. Either one out of a G body, S-10 or older Chevelle.

There are some tie rod ends with an eye for the rod end of the drag link built in so you don't have to fab a steering arm. Jeep used them for years and there are some others out there.

[dubie]

Really? Nobody has done this? I would have thought there would have been a few guys convert to a cross steer system seeing how it's worked so well for the 4x4 's for so many years

[mr48chev]

I never figured out the why it hadn't been done thing either as there are several two wheel drive trucks running cross steer starting in the 30's and 40's if you look at other brands. One of my buddies had a stripped down Studebaker pickup chassis that had cross steering on it in the late 40's or early 50's that was a very simple setup.

[dwcsr]

Cross steer is typically done when the pitman arm is far from the steering arm or at an odd angle and would create uneven arc. Such as when the frame rails taper a lot and the hubs are far out like roadsters and old gassers. Jeep did it two 2x4 trucks to consolidate its production line.

4x4 is a good example of why its done. On a TF or AD truck its not needed because you can have the pitman and steering arm on the same plain that changes very little during its travel. The bad side is that there are more parts to get loose and give you a wobble.

[mr48chev]

I'd have to think that the reason he is thinking about it is the same reason that I have been thinking about it and that is that it would be a clean way to steering box exhaust issue on an AD truck or add power steering to an AD or TF truck running an I beam.

A front steer box off almost any rear wheel drive GM car that had the steering box on it from the 70's to mid 80's works if you pull the pitman arm off and turn it to go to the front rather than the back. Steering shaft would be much the same as what we run on MII, Jag or Subframe swaps.

[G&R's57GMC]

Or one could use an axle mounted R&P system .

[dubie]

i've read a lot of mixed emotion about running a rack and pinion with a dropped axle