Topic: Relocating steering box forward?

[Japjeep]

so i am finally moving my steering box forward on my 86'  SAS runner. Ive searched and see many people:

1) move forward and leave sector shaft at an angle \ , so running drop pitman arm or 3/4 less drop arm. leaving steering shaft more in a straight alignment with steering box u-joint, or

2) move forward and level box so sector shaft is vertically straight up and down |, and running a flat pitman arm. thus putting the steering shaft u-joint in a more of an angular position.

I'm thinking a flat pitman arm gives more clearance but puts more strain on the steering box u-joint. also heard it gives a better turning radius. I also see some cut into radiator core and move the box through the core and some just move the box up to the core. 

is there any plus and minus to either of these positions. any input and info would be appreciated.  i would like to hear what others think or wish that they  had done differently. thanks for your help

[Nimyad]

I prefer leveling the box and running a flat pitman arm for a couple reason. 1. The steering u joint can handle the angle just fine. 2. You don't need to cut the core support. 3. With the box all the way forward you can easily push your axle forward 4-5 inches over stock. 4. Flat pitman arm causes a better turning radius for some reason. 5. You can make your rig lower without having issues.
Pics of my setup, btw I also notches the frame. Don't mind the rust lol

[bleakhorizon]

someone tell me how a flat arm gets you better turning radius, compared to a same length factory style drop arm?...

mine is a modified stock arm.. 84 frame, box rotated, pushed forward until its out the core support....as far forward it can go without cutting into the body mount on the frame.. but my axle is also 3+ inches forward than most people's

[Nimyad]

I don't know why you get more turning but you do. I've personally compared a drop pitman are to a straight pitman arm and gotten more steering.
Also I doubt you had to cut that much, my axle is 4" forward from stock and I could easily go another 2" forward with no drag link tie rod interference.

[Sparkplug]

Take your drag link off the pitman. Put the tires in the air. Now, change the angle of your drag link in realation to the angle of the tie rod, while pushing on it to turn the tires.

You will notice its quite a bit easier to turn it the greater the angle between the 2. This translates to less stress on your entire steering system, ESPECIALLY if you move the steering box all the way to the end of the frame, where it meets the front hanger. This will be the absolute strongest combination you can get for your steering.

[Nimyad]

Take your drag link off the pitman. Put the tires in the air. Now, change the angle of your drag link in realation to the angle of the tie rod, while pushing on it to turn the tires.

You will notice its quite a bit easier to turn it the greater the angle between the 2. This translates to less stress on your entire steering system, ESPECIALLY if you move the steering box all the way to the end of the frame, where it meets the front hanger. This will be the absolute strongest combination you can get for your steering.

In other words, run a forward facing pitman arm. Like on an fj80 I believe?

[Sparkplug]

No, move it as far forward as you possibly can, cut out the core support and slam the front bolt against the body mount. Puts the stress closest to the corner, where its the strongest by far

[Nimyad]

Or run a forward facing pitman arm!

[Sparkplug]

not gonna work if you got a front hanger on leafs.

[yotacrawler1]

this is all i had to cut with RUFs.



http://s1270.beta.photobucket.com/user/yotacrawler1/media/truckanddance018.jpg.html?sort=3&o=28

[yotacrawler1]

wouldn't your steering be backwards if you ran a forward facing pitman arms anyway? like you would turn left and it would go right.

[Nimyad]

not gonna work if you got a front hanger on leafs.

Just depends where you put the box. I agree that it would be difficult, but possible.
For the op either of your options will work fine for your application.

wouldn't your steering be backwards if you ran a forward facing pitman arms anyway? like you would turn left and it would go right.

No, you run a box that was designed to run pitman arm forward. The gears are different. If you put a pitman arm facing forward on a normal box then yes it would be backwards.

[bleakhorizon]

I don't know why you get more turning but you do. I've personally compared a drop pitman are to a straight pitman arm and gotten more steering.
Also I doubt you had to cut that much, my axle is 4" forward from stock and I could easily go another 2" forward with no drag link tie rod interference.

When i did the IFS box, i used a modified stock IFS pitman, so i rotated it as much as i could to get the angle i wanted its not vertical like alot of peoples. pitman WAY close to the frame, and pushed the box forward until it hit the mount, i cut a decent amount of sheet, because i dont care how it looks just that it works..

i dont have your normal "off the shelf" steering so i have no steering interference at all (crossover low steer), any time. in fact my drag link is behind my tie rod right now.. also, it just doesnt make since to me. if you have a drop pitman thats as long as a bent pitman from eye to eye (sector to drag link), they travel the same distance, but maybe the arc will change the throw a fraction of an inch..  i have more than full steering, meaning i can take my drag link off after the steering stops are bottomed out and still turn my box a little. but then again, that may be because of the steering i have.

[THK Matt]

Do like nimyad and I are doing, slam it up against the front body mount, and rotate the box so its vertical. Im running 48" RUFs and my hanger pushes it forward too. Im sitting close to 4.5in forward of where stock ifs would be.




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[Japjeep [OP]]

Thanks guys for the feedback! keep it coming.

[THK Matt]

btw Japjeep, I am NOT running a flat pitman arm while running my box vertical. I am running more lift then what most guys on the forum are running so it puts my steering angle at a better angle running the drop pitman.

as you can see in this pic.

[Japjeep [OP]]

Thanks THK Matt. keep it going!

[THK Matt]

Im cutting out my frame plates and ill be mounting the box permanently. Ill post pics for you then

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[Japjeep [OP]]

cool thanks