do i need crossover steering?....pros

[blazin]

i have a 72 blazer, 6 inch lift, its a street rig. do i need crossover steering? if so..what will it do for me.

[LONGHAIR]

Need...No, but you would like it.
It changes the "direction" of the movement of the steering arm. In stock form, the steering linkage moves from front to back in order to move the wheels left to right. The drag link is very short, so suspension travel has more effect on the steering wheel to tire relationship. You can have some pretty good bump-steer if the linkage is not aligned just right.

Crossover eliminates all of these issues. It is obviously not required, the original stuff is managible, there are millions of them out there.....but the more lift you add, the more benefit there is from converting. For 4", I wouldn't bother, especially for street only, but from 6" and above, it is worth the trouble/investment.

[blazin]

Originally Posted by LONGHAIR

Need...No, but you would like it.
It changes the "direction" of the movement of the steering arm. In stock form, the steering linkage moves from front to back in order to move the wheels left to right. The drag link is very short, so suspension travel has more effect on the steering wheel to tire relationship. You can have some pretty good bump-steer if the linkage is not aligned just right.

Crossover eliminates all of these issues. It is obviously not required, the original stuff is managible, there are millions of them out there.....but the more lift you add, the more benefit there is from converting. For 4", I wouldn't bother, especially for street only, but from 6" and above, it is worth the trouble/investment.

thanx longhair.. is there kits that i can buy? or is it something i can find parts for?

[Yukon Jack]

Lots of companies sell kits. I'm currently considering a kit. Check out www.offroaddesign.com and www.ballisticfabrication.com along with a google search for lots of good choices.

[special-K]

I agree with 6" it`s better,not "needed" for normal uses.I have done others and I am lifting my truck 6" soon.I`ve never gone with a crossover set-up.Wanted to on my last truck,never got that far.I`ll lift this truck and leave the crossover for later.If I had the money I`d do it all at once because it`s what I know I want.I may never "need" it off road,at least rarely,but I just want this one with all the right stuff.My trucks with 6" handled/steered just fine on the road...amazingly well.You want all the steering and suspension tip-top shape for starters and adjusting/centering the steering is crucial or you`ll feel like you`re driving down the top of a log.

[Burt4x4]

What front axel do you have?

[blazin]

Originally Posted by Burt4x4

What front axel do you have?

i have the dana 44. if i dont need crossover for road use.. im not sure i want to put it in right away.. too many other things. i'd like to find some bigger diffs with 4.56 or 4.11 gears in them with a posi. i sure wish money grew on trees

[blazin]

im pretty sure its a dana 44.. isnt that what came stock on a 72 blazer?

[mod58]

I would stick with the 44,I,m guessing a 12 bolt in the rear.That is a good set up for mainly steet and mild wheeling with 36's.Cross over Steering is great but like everyone else said,not needed for 6".I have it on my 86 with 14" lift and 44" boggers,goe's down the road like a dream!! JMO. Good Luck!!!!!!!

[Burt4x4]

Originally Posted by blazin

im pretty sure its a dana 44.. isnt that what came stock on a 72 blazer?

Yup, I wheeled my D44 for 11-12yrs and it held up, sure I broke it from time to time (axel ujoints & hubs) but I'm not very light on the throttle
If you rebuild it, ball joints, wheelbearings, seals, tierod ends, etc..will improve the hadeling up front. I even installed an after market Sway bar at one point, with dissconnects for off road. Worked great! Kept the front from wandering while on uneven pavement and higher speeds.