I haven't been able to word this question effectively to use the search function. This is for a Front Steering setup. The tie rods are connected behind the axle. The steering arm protrudes forward from the p***enger spindle. Things i already know- Whether the box is in front or behind the axle, i must make sure the rotation of the box is correct. Ditto for whether the pitman faces forwards or rearwards. Things i dont know: For purposes of sourcing the right box should mine not work out: Is a reverse rotation box one that has right turn (clockwise) input resulting in CW or CCW rotation output at the pitman when looking from above? THE BIG QUESTION I HAVE: When placing a steering box on the frame- whether it's rear steer or front steer shouldn't matter for this question- is it better to have the pitman pivot opposite the steering arm pivot (king pin) or in line with it? In other words, If it packages better, is it ok to have the pitman arm and steering arms work together like a pair of windshield wipers or must they have opposing arcs? Or do they need to be opposed (ie: box in front of axle with pitman pointed rearward connected to forward facing steering arms)? So Windshield wipers (both pivots ahead of the rod ends) or opposed (pitman arm ahead of the rod end and the steering rod end ahead of the kingpin My old jeep had a front mounted box with a rearward pointing pitman, but everything else in my area is a rack and pinion so i cant go by a ton of old school detroit OEM examples? My current build has the best room for the box right inline with the axle and having the pitman pointing forward, connected to a forward pointed steering arm (windshield wiper style). If there is some rule that they will not push the steering arm correctly at lock, then i will have to move the box forward in the car with a rearward facing pitman. Thanks in advance, Rick
Pictures might help…I can say with confidence that “the pitman pointing forward, connecting to a forward pointed steering arm”…will not work, at least with a Vega style box mounted on the inside of the drivers side frame rail. Looking down from above, when turning the steering wheel right, the pitman arm shaft turns counter clockwise. In the above quoted scenario, the car would turn left. You will need to move the box forward and have the pitman arm point rearward.
Look at how cars with cross steering are made, they almost always have the drag or center link between the steering box and the axle. Not with the steering box over the axle, as you propose. So to make it work, you'd most likely need a reversed steering gear. As long as you have the steering linkage set up so the pivots are forming right angles at "straight ahead", then it should be OK. Like he said, make some sketches. pic=1000 words etc
I’m working on my steering now, so I’ll expand my answer. My comments are based on a Vega box mounted on the inside of the drivers side frame rail. As to your above question(s) “or do they need to be opposed?” Yes, they need to be opposed. Not like windshield wipers. Box forward of axle = pitman arm rearward, hooked to forward steering arm. Box aft of axle = pitman arm forward, hooked to rearward steering arm. If you look at a picture of a reversed box, you will see that for it to work, it needs to be mounted on the outside of the frame rail. My installation (4” drop axle with parallel leafs/not finalized) required a double sided steering arm.
That's a clever way to craft a double arm, but is it aluminum? Will that be stout enough? I have factoy tie rod arms facing the rear of the axle, mounted at the bottom of the spindle. And I have another set that is going to have one flipped to the top of th p***enger spindle facing forward. I get now that the Vega box spins the wrong way to be in front with a forward pitman going to a forward steering arm. That makes sense. I wonder if a different box that spins the other way, like some 525s I've heard of would work using the windshield wiper geometry or if its a faulty geometry theory. Thanks! -Rick
I used a small sector late 60s Mopar box mounted ahead of the axle, cross steered, pitman forward, to right side.
The arm I made is 3/8” thick stainless steel (same thickness of the Speedway arms). It took me about 4 hours to make with a 4.5” angle grinder. I made it because everything was so ‘cramped’ in my particular installation.
On Factory rigs that in essence cross steer = first gen Camaro Second gen Camaro the pitman arm points towards the axle center line from the box . Same box but you install the pitman arm to be towards the axle from the box how ever you mount it. Box mounted on the frame in front of the axle pitman arm facing the axle with the drag link running to the added or modified steering arm running off the right hand spindle will steer correctly with the tie rod behind or in front of the axle, that part doesn't matter in this case. I've converted a couple of Jeep C-J's to Saginaw steering box and cross steer to the Jeep tie rod end on the tie rod in the past and this is how that setup is done. I've been wanting to do a simple cross steer on Chevy AD trucks for years but haven't taken time to play with it. I don't think there is room on the inside of the frame for a steering box in front of the axle but a 60/87 truck box could be mounted on the outside be it manual or power. The real challenge is figuring out the steering arm setup on the right spindle and a panhard bar.
Regardless of the tierod, the steering done front or back side of the axle wont change the way the tie rod works. Nor will it change how the steering box turns. Every steering box I've used had CW rotation as you looked at the input shaft and CW rotation of the output shaft where the pitman arm mounts. So if the box is behind the axle the arm points forward for cross steer, and if the same box is mounted in front of the axle the arm points backward. Always pointing towards the axle no matter which side of the axle it's mounted on. There are of course exceptions referred to as reverse direction boxes that you can buy, but I've never found a need to use one yet.
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