Page 1 of 1

1968 w-200 lift kit steering problems

Posted: Wed Oct 25, 2023 7:33 pm
by 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???

Re: 1968 w-200 lift kit

Posted: Wed Oct 25, 2023 7:50 pm
by 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!

Re: 1968 w-200 lift kit steering problems

Posted: Wed Oct 25, 2023 7:54 pm
by MACJAKECAT
what is a Cross over steering conversion ?

Re: 1968 w-200 lift kit steering problems

Posted: Wed Oct 25, 2023 8:04 pm
by BigBlockTrucks
MACJAKECAT wrote:
Wed Oct 25, 2023 7:54 pm
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.

Re: 1968 w-200 lift kit steering problems

Posted: Wed Oct 25, 2023 8:38 pm
by 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

Re: 1968 w-200 lift kit steering problems

Posted: Fri Oct 27, 2023 7:01 am
by Wildergarten
nutz wrote:
Wed Oct 25, 2023 8:38 pm
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.

Re: 1968 w-200 lift kit steering problems

Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2023 10:42 am
by Hobcobble
MACJAKECAT wrote:
Wed Oct 25, 2023 7:33 pm
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

Re: 1968 w-200 lift kit steering problems

Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2023 11:32 am
by 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

Re: 1968 w-200 lift kit steering problems

Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2023 12:00 pm
by Wildergarten
MACJAKECAT wrote:
Tue Oct 31, 2023 11:32 am
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.

Re: 1968 w-200 lift kit steering problems

Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2023 8:44 pm
by 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

Re: 1968 w-200 lift kit steering problems

Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2023 9:58 pm
by PwrWgnDrvr
nutz wrote:
Tue Oct 31, 2023 8:44 pm
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!

Re: 1968 w-200 lift kit steering problems

Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2023 7:07 am
by Wildergarten
nutz wrote:
Tue Oct 31, 2023 8:44 pm
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.

Re: 1968 w-200 lift kit steering problems

Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2023 8:25 pm
by 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 .....

Re: 1968 w-200 lift kit steering problems

Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2023 5:22 am
by Wildergarten
nutz wrote:
Wed Nov 01, 2023 8:25 pm
...now that i'm thinking of it they where cross steer .....
There you go. The fix was in. :-)

Re: 1968 w-200 lift kit steering problems

Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2023 2:29 pm
by Red383
Wildergarten wrote:
Wed Nov 01, 2023 7:07 am
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