ok I need some shots of drag link steering on parallel leaf g***er front ends. specifically what steering bos was used and how and where it was mounted. I have searched and checked most of the threads on g***ers, but cant find many good shots of steering! We are at the point we need to mount the box, and I just need some ideas. The boss wants to run a mustang box (which we have) and I just dont see how it is going to fit.
I have a 51 ford big truck box in the 35 willys. it works nice because it is cross over steering and the pitman hangs wat down so the drag link is almost parellel with the tie rod. i will try to get some pics asap.
My '57 Ford has a chromed, drilled Model A axle on parallel leafs up front using the stock steering box in the stock position with a cross steer set up. My buddy's '49 Olds with a chrome tube axle also uses the stock box in the stock position with a cross steer set up. This seems to be a pretty common way to go with a straight axle, parallel leaf conversion.
You can check out the info I have posted on our clubs website. PM me if you want. Both my page (Jim) and Lonnies page have links to our builds and many pictures on how we did it. Not the only way to do it but it cruises down the highway at 70 mph with no problems what so ever. http://www.g***ersinc.com/
My '55 Chevy has a '61 Econoline axle with the the stock box (stock location)with a cross steer set up.
this is on a 49 Plymouth, and the stock box and location are gone. After messing with it today I do not think there is any way to get the mustang box to fit, but we would still like to use drag link, and avoid cross steer. anybody got anything else?
Here's some shots of an F1 box in my 41 Dodge coupe. I'm using a 51 F1 axle and I tried to go cross steer with a Vega box but it just didn't work.
how about a little more info on what you have so far? what axle, spindles and steering arms are you using. Will the box be mounted in the stock location? Is it in front or behind the axle? do you want side steer or cross steer? I just finished a cross steer set-up on my 64 Fairlane, original Fairlane box in stock location and using and econoline axle with custom steering arms and oem type tie rods.
from the firewall forward the frame is new, so all mounts are gone. It is also kicked up about 5" at the firewall. We have a Tube axle with 2" drop coming and it should be with ford spindles. I would like to have the tie rod behind the axle, and drag link steering. So I need to find a box that will be reliable enough to put on a customer's car. you can see where we are at now in the pictures in my last post.
I prefer the the cross over to the drag link set up due to the longer drag link. If its close to being parallel with the tierod, you have less chance of bumpsteer on suspension compression and de-compression (front end lift off the line, you don't want it moving around on a holeshot), also for a little better ride you might think about moving the shackel to the rear, the spring will work better. I'll post some pics of my setup when I get to work, its a transverse leaf with hairpins though, but it's a cross over.
what is the argument for shackle to the rear? I have seen so many either way, and it seems that most are to the front.
The force of the bump hitting the tire as the vehicle move forward allows the axel move slightly to the rear the spring flattens out with no binding. I read it in 4 wheeler magazine a few years ago, they had some diagrams in the and it seemed to make sense, they sell kits to do it on Jeeps, I just thought I'd mention it. I've talked to a few Jeep guys that have done it and the said it helped the ride. Here is some pics of mine, I used a Vega box and made a adapter plate to mount it to the stock box location.
Huh? guess I missed that post. Since your starting on new front frame rails, find a sterring box that is readily available. (70's- 80's). Depending on clearence, you can mount one inboard or outboard of the frame rail. I agree with spikehotrods about moving the shackle to the rear. They way you have it set up right now, the rear spring hanger will have to be lenghtened because your axle will have a negative caster and will drive horrible. Having some positve caster will keep the wheels straight. Too much caster will be hard to steer.
try looking at some early Ford econoline stuff (61-67). They used a steering box that mounted in front of the axle with a drag link (side steer) connected to the driver's side spindle.
You might check on the PerformanceKing.com website, he builds altered wheelbase Mopars with <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="1%" border=0><TBODY><TR bgColor=black><TD colSpan=3 height=1></TD></TR><TR><TD width=1 bgColor=black></TD><TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>some decent construction pics.
Plans have changed, I have talked the boss into cross steer, and we have a 525 box that will work well. would the caster issue matter if it is included in the axle to spring mount? we are using a tube axle that has not yet been welded to the pads which clamp to the spring, and I intended to rotate the axle to add the caster.
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