So the final assembly is well underway and now that the steering is all put together I have about 3.5-4 inches between the cross steering bars tie rod end and the ground. I don't think I'll get it out of my garage like this, let alone be able to drive it. I'm thinking about swapping out the tie rod end for a heim on the pitman arm, maybe gain an inch, or redoing the suicide mount for another 2 or so inches. What does everyone consider a "safest lowest point" on a vehicle. I'm thinking nothing below the rim in case of a flat, maybe I'll do both mods, that would probably give me 8-9 inches total clearance. Anyway lets hear what you've got to say.
theoreticaly ( and practically) nothing should be below the scrub line of the vehicle.. The scrub line can be easily determined in its most basic form as the depth of your sidewall.. so if you get a flat, the car will run on the rim without anything plughing up the road beneath the car... you definately dont want any steering parts hitting the road.. hope that helps..
I can only tell you that in Texas you cannot have any part of the vehicle below the bottom of the rim/wheel . and the quote above about plowing up the asphalt would hold true with the Texas laws
I have 4 in. from ground to tie rod ends, clears scrub line, and never had a problem. Of course I avoid running over any large objects in the road, but I do that in any car I drive. Put a pair of bare rims on the front and set them on the ground to make sure you don't have scrub issues.
On mine I definitely don't want anything important hangin low, ie. the bottom radiator tank, oil pan, draglink, or the steering link. My lower shock mounts hang off the wishbones but they are 5-6 inches off the ground, the next lowest thing is the Z near the firewall and it's above the scrub line.
For me the "look" was everything. I am a bit older and wiser now though. LOL I can barely fit my boot under my grill shell and the bottom of the 39 toploader is the same way. Yeah, I have had problems pulling into and out of parking lots and have scraped the trans more than a few times. BUT... it looks good. I am setting up my Tudor to have at least 4" of clearance.
You don't really need 8-9 inches. My stock '06 Mazda 5 mini-van is only 6 inches off the ground in the center of the car. .. I meant my wifes mini-van.
Another thing to keep in mind. I was at a show some years ago. there was a guy who had a nice 29 Dodge 4 Dr w a 350 blower motor in it. When he went over a speed bump in the lot it ripped the drain plug out of the oil pan.
My drain plug is about 3" off the ground on the truck I am building and is the only thing I am worried about. But I like the stance, so I will either change pans or put the plug in the rear of this one (somehow) or make a skid plate to protect it. Low is the only way to go!
Your question concerned the steering cross shaft, Both my A & my daughters T have approx 4" from the street to the cross shaft. The only way this will ever hit anything is if you run over some big crap in the road... like a rock, road kill, etc. The cross shaft it so close to the center line of the tire, You dont have to worry about it "Dragging" in norman driving conditions.
The scrub line is the key here. Remember... if you can't steer it or stop it nothing else matters... form should always follow function. Stretch two strings diagonally from the bottom of the rims front to rear. NOTHING critical (i.e., steering, brakes, suspension, etc) should be below this plane. You can mash pipes, radiator shells, etc. and still maintain control in the event of 4 flats. However, you can't steer it if you drag or grind off a steering component! Be safe first.
Passing over a dead racoon at 50 mph can do alot more damage than one might expect. Not to mention the nasty mess picking body and hair out of tranny linkage. Really low is cool but I no longer enjoy the hassles.
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