Help with Crossover Steering and Highsteer

[Low69CST]

I need some help figuring out what I need to covert my father's 72 K5 to crossover steering and high steer. I apologize for posting a topic that's been covered, but i'm having trouble connecting all the dots. I've been looking at ORD's kits. Those kits include new steering arms that bolt to the top of the knuckles. It states you must have "open" knuckles. I thought these were open, but upon looking at them there's no place to bolt on the steering arms. I've attached a picture below. Since these aren't the correct knuckles, does anyone have a list of years that will work? I think I've seen elsewhere that Jeep knuckles will work?

Additionally, does the high steer use beefy tie rods and a link? We are running a pretty large tire and are curious if it has more benefits than just moving the link above rocks.

Thanks for any help.

[8cuda]

Your passenger flat top knuckle will require machine work for threading in studs to attach the cross over steering.
Your Blazer has the open knuckles as the u-joints are visible

[Low69CST]

Do all passenger side knuckles require drilling and tapping threaded holes in them? Everything I read it sounded as if these were existing. That is one of the things threw me off. I didn't know if it was more cost effective to go to a knuckle (if available) that already had the threaded wholes existing. I'm assuming the driver's side would use the threaded holes for the steering arm.

[GMC71k20]

There is no knuckle with pre-existing threads, it requires a machinist to drill and tap the knuckle.
I mailed my knuckle to my x-over parts manufacturer and they did the machining

[beadblaster]

I did the ctossover steering on my 1971 k10. Any machine shop can drill and tap the holes for the extra studs on the passenger side knuckle. You do require a 2 wheel drive steering box to finish the conversion. I can take a few pictures lif you want.

[beadblaster]

I should have mentioned that reid racing do have knuckles with the required holes

[Low69CST]

That also threw me off, I saw the racing knuckles had the holes. We'd appreciate any pictures beadlaster. This K5 has 5 and 1/4 blocks with a wedge, so we are assuming a 6" lift? It drives terrible. We are looking at replacing the blocks with springs and going to crossover and high steer.

Dad bought a new 4wd steering box about a year ago. Along with new ball joints and tie rod ends. It didn't improve. We've began looking for 2wd boxes. I've also read getting rid of the rag joint helps. But i've found more information on that about the 73-87 trucks.

[beadblaster]

Here are a few pictures. I just had a local machine shop drill and tap knuckle. I think it cost $40. I also added a 1” spacer between the steering arm and passenger side knuckle. Not sure if I had to but the steering crossover link was very close to the leaf springs. I have 54” atlas progressive leafs that give about 6” of lift. I also went with a psc steering box.

[57taskforce]

Originally Posted by beadblaster

Here are a few pictures. I just had a local machine shop drill and tap knuckle. I think it cost $40. I also added a 1” spacer between the steering arm and passenger side knuckle. Not sure if I had to but the steering crossover link was very close to the leaf springs. I have 54” atlas progressive leafs that give about 6” of lift. I also went with a psc steering box.

That’s a nice looking setup!

[Low69CST]

Originally Posted by beadblaster

Here are a few pictures. I just had a local machine shop drill and tap knuckle. I think it cost $40. I also added a 1” spacer between the steering arm and passenger side knuckle. Not sure if I had to but the steering crossover link was very close to the leaf springs. I have 54” atlas progressive leafs that give about 6” of lift. I also went with a psc steering box.

I've thought a about that same clearance issue. The current setup is stock springs with blocks. Sounds like new lift springs would be required for us to go to a crossover steering.

[57taskforce]

Originally Posted by Low69CST

I've thought a about that same clearance issue. The current setup is stock springs with blocks. Sounds like new lift springs would be required for us to go to a crossover steering.

Are you saying you’ve got blocks on the front axle? If that’s the case get rid of them ASAP. Front blocks are not safe at all.

[BLAZERMAN]

You say your going to be running a big tire...just how big are you going? It sounds like your trying to really beef up your front, this would be a good time for a Dana 60 front axle. You can offset some if the cost if the axle as you wont have to have your knuckles drilled on it. Not everybody needs a Dana 60 but nows the time to do it if you do!
Oh and one more advantage of a 60 is youll get just a tsd over an inch of lift just from the axle itself.

[BCOWANWHEELS]

blue torch fab sells all you need

[special-K]

This sort of mod is what we typically discuss over in the 4wd & Off Road board.

What is going on with the brake rotor in that first picture?

[beadblaster]

The picture is upside down

[1972RedNeck]

Originally Posted by special-K

What is going on with the brake rotor in that first picture?

^this

Brake rotor looks in need of some major TLC...

[beadblaster]

The brake rotors are brand new. It is just the way I took the picture. The backside of the rim sort of blended in with the rotor.