Mac5005
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Oct 19, 2005
- Location
- Rocky Mount
I have been running chevy 1tons from a cucv ever since I broke the suspension in the first Uwharrie 4x4cross race in 2008.
When I swapped them in, I did like 90% of these swaps, and used XJ springs up front, and this meant I needed to change the steering box to accommodate for the front stretch. I found an Astro Van box, and drilled and tapped it for hydro assist.
Ever since the front steering has been marginal at best, but I dealt with it because it worked, and I have never had any problems with any steering component since the swap. My only complaint is the lack of steering angle, and having to 5 point turn everywhere. I am running a spool in the back, and on the road or dirt, chirping or spinning the inside tire is very common to improve the turning radius.
I checked my steering angle against my 2500 avalanche, and my fiancé's 91 YJ, as well as the turning radius, and was pretty disappointed.
Here is the Data:
1990 YJ Chevy 1tons. 42" Sx2's, Astro Van Box, 3.25 turns lock to lock of the wheel, 21 degree steering angle at tire. locker front, spool rear. Ballistic generic high steer arms. two holes on pass side, one on driver. drag link runs from pittman arm to forward hole on pass side arm. Hydro ram is mounted above axle tube at same height as tie rod.
6.4375" Kingpin to Tie rod, 8.75" from kingpin to drag link. The tie rod travels 5". Pittman arm is 6" long, and travels 7" from lock to lock, giving it a travel angle of roughly 71 degrees.
105" wheelbase, 89" overall width.
All turning circles are measured at innermost diameter of a circle driven on packed dirt/rock screening lot, idling.
43 foot diameter circle.
My Fiance's Stock Jeep. 91 YJ, 4" lift, 35" tires, ford 8.8 swap. otherwise stock. 93.5" wheelbase, 76" overall width, 3.5 turns lock to lock of wheel, 30.5 degree turning at tire, open/open. 6" tie rod travel,5" long pittman arm, 8" travel of the pittman arm, giving pittman arm travel angle of 106 degrees.
19 foot 5 inch turning circle.
My 2004 2500 Avalanche: stock, open / gov bomb. 285's. 3.25 turns lock to lock, 130" wheelbase, 80" overall width, 33 degrees of steering at tire.
26 foot 6 inch turning circle.
It would appear at first that steering angle of the tire has more impact on turning radius than the effects of wheelbase or track width.
I plan to document the changes I make, and the effects on turning radius that these changes make.
Plans:
1) swap Detroit in place of spool in rear axle
2) improve steering angle of tire, without encroaching on design limits of front axle shafts/ujoints ( ECGS chromo stuff, not high clearance bling)
depending on results of above:
3) cutting brakes on rear axle.
I don't even have a turning radius I am shooting for, just better than what it is now. Jeep has been beaten on hard trails and I have worked out the weak links, upgraded those items and have a very capable rig that has checked off numerous trails. Everything is working great other than the turning radius.
What is the max turning ability of the 60 shafts? Some sites say 40 degrees, some say 37?
When I swapped them in, I did like 90% of these swaps, and used XJ springs up front, and this meant I needed to change the steering box to accommodate for the front stretch. I found an Astro Van box, and drilled and tapped it for hydro assist.
Ever since the front steering has been marginal at best, but I dealt with it because it worked, and I have never had any problems with any steering component since the swap. My only complaint is the lack of steering angle, and having to 5 point turn everywhere. I am running a spool in the back, and on the road or dirt, chirping or spinning the inside tire is very common to improve the turning radius.
I checked my steering angle against my 2500 avalanche, and my fiancé's 91 YJ, as well as the turning radius, and was pretty disappointed.
Here is the Data:
1990 YJ Chevy 1tons. 42" Sx2's, Astro Van Box, 3.25 turns lock to lock of the wheel, 21 degree steering angle at tire. locker front, spool rear. Ballistic generic high steer arms. two holes on pass side, one on driver. drag link runs from pittman arm to forward hole on pass side arm. Hydro ram is mounted above axle tube at same height as tie rod.
6.4375" Kingpin to Tie rod, 8.75" from kingpin to drag link. The tie rod travels 5". Pittman arm is 6" long, and travels 7" from lock to lock, giving it a travel angle of roughly 71 degrees.
105" wheelbase, 89" overall width.
All turning circles are measured at innermost diameter of a circle driven on packed dirt/rock screening lot, idling.
43 foot diameter circle.
My Fiance's Stock Jeep. 91 YJ, 4" lift, 35" tires, ford 8.8 swap. otherwise stock. 93.5" wheelbase, 76" overall width, 3.5 turns lock to lock of wheel, 30.5 degree turning at tire, open/open. 6" tie rod travel,5" long pittman arm, 8" travel of the pittman arm, giving pittman arm travel angle of 106 degrees.
19 foot 5 inch turning circle.
My 2004 2500 Avalanche: stock, open / gov bomb. 285's. 3.25 turns lock to lock, 130" wheelbase, 80" overall width, 33 degrees of steering at tire.
26 foot 6 inch turning circle.
It would appear at first that steering angle of the tire has more impact on turning radius than the effects of wheelbase or track width.
I plan to document the changes I make, and the effects on turning radius that these changes make.
Plans:
1) swap Detroit in place of spool in rear axle
2) improve steering angle of tire, without encroaching on design limits of front axle shafts/ujoints ( ECGS chromo stuff, not high clearance bling)
depending on results of above:
3) cutting brakes on rear axle.
I don't even have a turning radius I am shooting for, just better than what it is now. Jeep has been beaten on hard trails and I have worked out the weak links, upgraded those items and have a very capable rig that has checked off numerous trails. Everything is working great other than the turning radius.
What is the max turning ability of the 60 shafts? Some sites say 40 degrees, some say 37?