1968 w-200 lift kit steering problems

[MACJAKECAT]

what can i do to fix my steering on my 1968 dodge w-200 after i put a 6 inch lift kit ? what is the solution when people put lift kits on these trucks ANYONE???

[BigBlockTrucks]

Cross over steering conversion is a good solution. While you are there you can gain actual power steering.
Be forewarned it won’t be cheap or easy!

[MACJAKECAT]

what is a Cross over steering conversion ?

[BigBlockTrucks]

what is a Cross over steering conversion ?

It’s roughly based on what is under the front of a 99and up super duty ford.
Jeep also did something similar.

[nutz]

first thing is caster.....
not sure what parts you need but i guess they are talking about having your drag link go across to the pass side
then a good steering damper
having your drag link turn parallel to the ground helps with bump steer

[Wildergarten]

first thing is caster.....
not sure what parts you need but i guess they are talking about having your drag link go across to the pass side
then a good steering damper
having your drag link turn parallel to the ground helps with bump steer

All correct, but with the addition that if one does a crossover, usually that involves some frame reinforcement against the lateral forces from the drag link. From what I've seen using the Furd power steering box, it seems to go better with a W300 and up. It does complicate running a PTO shaft on the other side.

[Hobcobble]

what can i do to fix my steering on my 1968 dodge w-200 after i put a 6 inch lift kit ? what is the solution when people put lift kits on these trucks ANYONE???

What was in your "kit"? Was it specifically designed for the pre-1969 W200?

John

[MACJAKECAT]

skyjacker kit came with this huge steering arm that did not even fit guess ill make a steering link that looks like a s to make it line up ? or a 9 or 10 inch long steering arm would work right off of the gear box ? called skyjacker they sent me 3inch block that was to go under the arm off of the wheel but it was not even right i told them its the old style with like a half of a circle that holds the wheel hard to explain .. i no i should just do a conversion but everything on this truck is like new just wanted to lift put big tires on it ? it has 33 and they look small. its just a play toy but do go into deep snow sometime and mud bogs it but i think i should of just left it alone

[Wildergarten]

skyjacker kit came with this huge steering arm that did not even fit guess ill make a steering link that looks like a s to make it line up ? or a 9 or 10 inch long steering arm would work right off of the gear box ? called skyjacker they sent me 3inch block that was to go under the arm off of the wheel but it was not even right i told them its the old style with like a half of a circle that holds the wheel hard to explain .. i no i should just do a conversion but everything on this truck is like new just wanted to lift put big tires on it ? it has 33 and they look small. its just a play toy but do go into deep snow sometime and mud bogs it but i think i should of just left it alone

Check the clearances to the front tires when turning hard at full bump (with the axle on the bump stops) to set the maximum tire size. You may need to remove the front shackles to do it.

[nutz]

if you make an s style drag link ,make it adjustable or it might turn more one way than the other
if your shackles are on the front of the springs , the hot set-up is to move them to the rear ...it helps on impact if you do any rock crawling

[PwrWgnDrvr]

if your shackles are on the front of the springs , the hot set-up is to move them to the rear ...it helps on impact if you do any rock crawling

That would be a very complex mod on a swept!

[Wildergarten]

if you make an s style drag link ,make it adjustable or it might turn more one way than the other
if your shackles are on the front of the springs , the hot set-up is to move them to the rear ...it helps on impact if you do any rock crawling

As I recall, the axle is not centered on the spring. Hence this modification would move both spring eyes toward the back of the truck. Getting the location for the front spring eye would then be very tricky and farther from the support normally offered by the front crossmember.

Nor is the frame straight between spring eyes on 100-200 series trucks. Hence, putting the shackles at the back would put the rear spring eye much lower than the front with the spring not parallel to the ground. The latter property would have the axle fore-aft travel from full droop to bump significantly greater than it is originally, cocking the axle out of perpendicularity with the frame when the bump was on one side, thus inducing yet another form of bump steer.

[nutz]

never did it on a swept
i just remember when we were building lifted trucks back in the 80's it was a cool mod
when you hit a solid impact it let the axle go back instead of forward
now that i'm thinking of it they where cross steer .....

[Wildergarten]

...now that i'm thinking of it they where cross steer .....

There you go. The fix was in. :-)

[Red383]

As I recall, the axle is not centered on the spring.
[/quote]

I'm pretty sure my axle is centered in the front leaf spring.


There is a length post about crossover steering in the forum: viewtopic.php?f=17&t=20020