Pics of Steering Set-ups (dropped C-Member)

[Bagd72Chevy]

Hey guys,

I'm looking for pics of how you did your steering to accomodate the dropped crossmember. Going to be finishing mine in the near future, and looking for input.

Has anyone tried re-angling the steering column, by pushing the mount up at the firewall?

Thanks,
Ryan

[bigbuc]

i just got done doing about a 2 or 3 inch body drop so the cab lays completely flat without the crossmember or z and all we did was drop the sterring wheel down alittle bit to straighten it out...

[Bagd72Chevy]

I'm specifically looking for people who had clearance problems with the upper control arms and the steering shaft. I don't understand how lowering the wheel would help that????? Not sure we're on the same page.

[1LoC10]

hes just saying he went the bodydrop route instead of a cossmember section or z'ing the frame.....so hes pretty much saying with doign the body drop the only thing he needed to worry about was the wheel

[Bagd72Chevy]

Not to be a dick, but it doesn't make sense. Wether you bring the frame up, or the body down, the upper control arm is still going to interfere with the steering shaft. Unless you are on really small wheels. Its just going to happen on these trucks if you are laying them out.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Bagd72Chevy

Not to be a dick, but it doesn't make sense. Wether you bring the frame up, or the body down, the upper control arm is still going to interfere with the steering shaft. Unless you are on really small wheels. Its just going to happen on these trucks if you are laying them out.

Kind of what I thought too but I haven't done a body drop on one of these so I can't be 100% sure.

I know XXL had a few pics in his crossmember thread. Have you seen those & are just looking for other possible options?

[Bagd72Chevy]

No I haven't seen XXL's pics, I'm gonna go search for them.

Thanks

[camaro__thunder]

I dont have any of mine before I decided to shave the firewall and move the mount up on the firewall and shortened the column and used 3 joints and bearing support. but will try to get some new ones up ASAP. Hope these help.

[Bagd72Chevy]

Those are perfect. I really needed some close-ups. Thanks alot for the pics. Also what steering box are you running? I'm using one off of a 1979 Chevy C-10 because it has the fastest ratio, however it is a lot longer than my non power 72 box.

[camaro__thunder]

I got the pics from IF customs... On my truck I am ditching the power steering and going manual as I wont need to turn really fast with 22"s on the doors and takeout a fender or worse.. Good luck !

[a squarecan]

Sorry no pictures but there is a big difference between for a Z or Xmember drop and a body drop. At least when it regards steering problems. With a Z and X member drop you are re-locating where the center coint of your wheels sit in relation to your steering box; as with a body drop you are not changing the distance between the 2. I would think it would be easier to Z and X member drop, BUT I just thought I would point that out.

Keith

[Bagd72Chevy]

squarecan, although what you say is correct, it is not what I'm talking about. We are discussing the steering shaft as it goes from the column to the steering box, and how it contacts the upper control arm.

If you bring the control arm up with a crossmember drop, the steering shaft will hit the A-Arm

If you Z the frame, you are raising the steering box in relation to the column, and you are decreasing the angle of the steering shaft and it will hit the A-Arm.

If you body drop the truck you are lowering the column in relation to the steering box, and doing the same as above.

I'm thinking about raising the steering column mount at the firewall to decrease the angle of the column in the truck(to better fit my low seats) and to increase the angle of the steering shaft providing more room to C-Drop or Z.

Hope this clarifies,
Ryan

[a squarecan]

72,

I realize you have to do something with the column no matter what you do I was just pointing out what I thought about half asleep on my way to work :p. I have heard of people raising their steering box to clear their A_arms and then I have heard of others that notch their A-arms to make room. I think a couple universal joints is honestly the best way to go.

Keith

[Bagd72Chevy]

Yeah, the universals are pretty good. I've got tubular arms on right now, and it lays crossmember on 20's without hitting. I also have a flaming river column and 79 truck power steering box. Looking back I should have ordered my column a little shorter, because it hangs out the firewall a ways. and the steering box I have has a much longer snout on it.

I'm worried that due to my column and box being so close that I'll have extreme angles on the U-Joints. Thats why I'm looking into alternative methods. I'll probably raise the column at the firewall along with adding another u-joint to get 'er over. Shouldn't be to hard, just exploring all possibilities.

Next weekend I'll be home from school for summer and I'll get crackin. I'll have to look at everything, but I might re-angle, or move the box up combined with the cloumn mount, there's no telling. And I've also solved my rear problem, 3 link with wishbone.....should've done it in the first place.

[lvscott]

Bagd72 how long is your column that you bought and what length do you think would have been better.

[Draggin79]

You guys that did the 1.5" crossmember drop....I hear you talking about how the UCA hits the steering shaft, But I recently did this on my 78 with a 1.5" chop and not only is my UCA hitting the steering shaft, But my LCA is hitting my pittman arm and idler arm nuts. Are none of you having that problem?? And if you did what did you do to solve it?