Custom K-link Steering

[mj1989gt]

When I first put my truck together I started with a stonecrusher style steering. It worked very well and have had zero problems for 3 1/2 years and around 7,000 miles of mostly off road. Here's the build thread on that. http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=346315 . I didn't like how the steering would rotate when turning so I figured I would try out the superrunner style steering. I used 1 ton chevy tie rods and heim joints in the center. I built an idler arm with some bronze bushings i got from mcmaster-car and poly bushings from ruffstuff. So far I haven't been in the dirt but on the road i have no bump steer at all.

 

[Maniak]

Keep us updated and get some shots with the suspension flexed up...

I have enough travel now that I'm surprised my steering works. I don't have bump steer but I'm starting to run into the limits of the steering.

~Mark

 

[mj1989gt]

I tried to find somewhere to flex the suspension and this is the best I could find around my house. Can't really tell from the pictures but the tires are toed in only a little and no clearance issues. It still has a little way to go before the suspension is maxed but I don't see any issues.

 

[BKennedy]

I had the Supperuner Steering for several years. Most of you who have ever been near me on the trail know its limitations just by the groaning noises when it maxed out. Your version looks like is more centered, which would help it articulate with the axles. If you shorten the length of the saddle where the tie rods mount, it would be much stronger and not try to roll as much, putting less pressure on the bushings. Every time I used the ARB front locker in mine, it would blow those bushings. I had some made out of Delrin by a company in San Marcos. Never had an blown bushing after that.

 

[mj1989gt]

I used a oil embedded bronze bushing for the upper pivot point so hopefully that will limit how much deflection there is under load but left a poly bushing on the bottom because it needs some play in the joint. I went cheap and didn't get the Delrin but I may have to try that if this setup doesn't work. I could move the saddle higher but then the steering geometry would be off and would increase bump steer. I'm not sure if moving it up an inch would change the bump steer that much but I didn't want to risk it. Oh and the saddle is 3/16 plate with the inside boxed in with more 3/16 plate so it should be plenty strong.

 

[BKennedy]

I like the bronze bushing, and it should work, but I was thinking having Delrin for both bushings might spread out the shock load. I guess if you start blowing out the lower bushing, its an option. I have one half of one bushing in Delrin you can have if they are the same size as the Superlift steering bushings, to use if you ever want to have some more made. The rest went with the lift when I sold it, but I found another spare in a box with a bunch of parts.

Looking at the pictures again, you really can't move the saddle higher without risking the tie rod contacting the drag link or pitman arm.

Very cool, if I still had the TTB, I would be copying this.

 

[cmhaah06]

I am currently shopping for parts to build something similar.... MJ, do you have a parts list? I have had stock steering with the extreme drop pitman arm on my ex since I built it and my front tires are wearing on the inner edge. I take my explorer to get it aligned every time I go wheeling, but the camber issues won't go away. I think its time to upgrade the steering.

 

[mj1989gt]

For the upper pivot I used 1.75in tube with .25 wall with a 1in tube with .25 wall inner sleeve. I used two of these bushings from mcmaster- 2938T27 (some work on a lathe needed to fit properly). For the lower pivot I used a Ruffstuff Specialties bushing with DOM tube. For the center tie rod ends i used some 3/4" heim joints from Ruffstuff. The Chevy TRE's are es2027l and es2027r. (I would use normal tie rods instead of the high angle draglink ends I used.)

 

[mj1989gt]

Just got back from a 3 day trip along the Bradshaw trail. The steering did great off road and we ended up on some very rough trails. I had no problems at all off road and handles great on the road. I don't really notice any bump steer at all. Still have to see about long term durability but I put some hard miles on it and everything is still tight so far.

 

[BKennedy]

Bradshaw Trail? Where is that located? How about a trip report?

 

[mr cribb]

I doubt I will ever need steering to this level, but I like the idea.

 

[mj1989gt]

Bradshaw Trail? Where is that located? How about a trip report?

Trip report posted

 

[BKennedy]

Trip report posted

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=441568

Sorry to jump your thread about the steering. I really like the steering.