4 wheel steer HMMWV

**CHKNFKR** · 03-24-2010, 09:53 PM

has anyone else crawled under a HMMWV and wondered why the hell AMG wasted time with ball jointed knuckles out back and simply tied them to the frame to keep 'em pointed straight ahead? a quick glance at the parts manual verifies that the very same steering knuckle is used on all 4's. would it really be that difficult to order the steering linkage used up front and a second steering gear and mount it up out back?

Maybe I'm behind the times and its already been done. Its just something I've wondered about since the first time i ever crawled under one nearly 5 years ago.

**CHKNFKR** · 03-24-2010, 09:59 PM

Another glance at the parts manual shows that the lower control arms are the same front to back so there should be plenty of room for the steering linkage.

84stealthranger · 03-24-2010, 10:20 PM

so ur wanting to do this on ur ranger lol i think it would work if u had 2 steering axles but u gotta flip the gears over in the rear lol. should work tho with the right axles and a hydro pump thingy in the back haha

BONES · 03-25-2010, 12:10 AM

Don't flip the gears over, just turn it backwards and it will run the right direction.

Remember that 2 steering axles will have offset differentials.

If you used like an old dana/spicer 18 or dana/spicer 20 or even an old LandCruiser tcase that has both front and rear outputs off to the passenger side, and a chev pass drop front diff up front and a Ford drivers drop front diff out back it would even have the drive shafts in line with each flange to eliminate funky drive shaft angles that would be caused with the centered rear output on a standard tcase and offset differential on a reversed front diff out back.

WTF · 03-25-2010, 01:00 PM

If somebody builds this, it deserves it's own tread!!

r1hatman · 03-25-2010, 01:19 PM

I agree. I would love to see that!

WTF · 03-25-2010, 02:35 PM

I only say that since I'm an Army maintenance guy and I think that the HMMWV is only good for catching RPGs.

**CHKNFKR** · 03-25-2010, 03:57 PM

If someone did build it, it wouldnt be much of a thread, like i said, the rear axle is already essentially a steer axle, all thats missing is a linkage, a gear, something to turn the gear, and fluid lines. the biggest thing stopping me from doing it is getting the appropriate signatures on a MWO to do it.

WTF · 03-30-2010, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chknfkr

If someone did build it, it wouldnt be much of a thread, like i said, the rear axle is already essentially a steer axle, all thats missing is a linkage, a gear, something to turn the gear, and fluid lines. the biggest thing stopping me from doing it is getting the appropriate signatures on a MWO to do it.

Draw up the plans and send it to AM General. They could use some fresh ideas like yesterday since the Army's going to something different to replace the HMMWV. Once the steering gear box is mounted and the linkage is connected, use a solid-mounted ball valve coupled to the rear steering gear box for directional control and run the hydraulic lines down the already crowded frame rail to feed it the pressure. It could actually make that thing into a 'wheeler for once!

MakerOfBeast · 06-07-2010, 02:31 AM

they wasted the time making it that was so you could use parts of any corner to fix any other corner of the vehicle, of coarse if have the truck gets blown off.....

**wahlstrom1** · 06-07-2010, 02:40 AM

^^^ Bingo, why make 2 spare parts when you only need 1? And steering gear from up front installed out back would interfere with the driveline would it not?

Tractorman · 06-08-2010, 12:12 AM

4 wheel steering generally blows. All that extra slop in the tie rods and junk makes for a hairy ride.

03-24-2010, 09:53 PM	#1
CHKNFKR Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Illinois Year: 1993 Make: Ford Model: Ranger Engine: 545 CID Class: 4x4 Extreme Used For: Spending my hard earned cash Posts: 3,975 Rep Power: 30 iTrader: (4)	4 wheel steer HMMWV has anyone else crawled under a HMMWV and wondered why the hell AMG wasted time with ball jointed knuckles out back and simply tied them to the frame to keep 'em pointed straight ahead? a quick glance at the parts manual verifies that the very same steering knuckle is used on all 4's. would it really be that difficult to order the steering linkage used up front and a second steering gear and mount it up out back? Maybe I'm behind the times and its already been done. Its just something I've wondered about since the first time i ever crawled under one nearly 5 years ago. Last edited by CHKNFKR; 03-24-2010 at 10:01 PM.
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03-24-2010, 09:59 PM	#2
CHKNFKR Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Illinois Year: 1993 Make: Ford Model: Ranger Engine: 545 CID Class: 4x4 Extreme Used For: Spending my hard earned cash Posts: 3,975 Rep Power: 30 iTrader: (4)	Another glance at the parts manual shows that the lower control arms are the same front to back so there should be plenty of room for the steering linkage.
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03-25-2010, 12:10 AM	#4
BONES Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Canada Eh!! Year: 1986 Make: Ford Model: Bronco II Eddie Bauer Edition Engine: 4.0L Class: 4x4 Extreme Used For: Off road Posts: 485 Rep Power: 7 iTrader: (0)	Don't flip the gears over, just turn it backwards and it will run the right direction. Remember that 2 steering axles will have offset differentials. If you used like an old dana/spicer 18 or dana/spicer 20 or even an old LandCruiser tcase that has both front and rear outputs off to the passenger side, and a chev pass drop front diff up front and a Ford drivers drop front diff out back it would even have the drive shafts in line with each flange to eliminate funky drive shaft angles that would be caused with the centered rear output on a standard tcase and offset differential on a reversed front diff out back. __________________ 86 Bronco II Eddie Bauer 4L fm146 1354m, spooled fw HpD44/fw 9", long travel suspension, 38" TSL Build thread http://www.therangerstation.com/foru...d=1#post629938
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03-25-2010, 01:00 PM	#5
WTF Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Clarksville Year: '06 Make: FORD Model: RANGER FX4 Engine: 4.0 SOHC Class: 4x4 Used For: daily beatings Posts: 148 Rep Power: 9 iTrader: (0)	If somebody builds this, it deserves it's own tread!! __________________ '90 Ranger 4x4 X-cab, completely stock DD Happiness is grinding off rivets!
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03-25-2010, 01:19 PM	#6
r1hatman Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Knoxville, TN Year: 1983 Make: ford Model: ranger 4x4 Engine: 2.8 Class: 4x4 Used For: daily driver Posts: 1,936 Rep Power: 10 iTrader: (1)	I agree. I would love to see that! __________________ R1hatman
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03-25-2010, 02:35 PM	#7
WTF Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Clarksville Year: '06 Make: FORD Model: RANGER FX4 Engine: 4.0 SOHC Class: 4x4 Used For: daily beatings Posts: 148 Rep Power: 9 iTrader: (0)	I only say that since I'm an Army maintenance guy and I think that the HMMWV is only good for catching RPGs. __________________ '90 Ranger 4x4 X-cab, completely stock DD Happiness is grinding off rivets!
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03-25-2010, 03:57 PM	#8
CHKNFKR Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Illinois Year: 1993 Make: Ford Model: Ranger Engine: 545 CID Class: 4x4 Extreme Used For: Spending my hard earned cash Posts: 3,975 Rep Power: 30 iTrader: (4)	If someone did build it, it wouldnt be much of a thread, like i said, the rear axle is already essentially a steer axle, all thats missing is a linkage, a gear, something to turn the gear, and fluid lines. the biggest thing stopping me from doing it is getting the appropriate signatures on a MWO to do it.
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06-07-2010, 02:31 AM	#10
MakerOfBeast Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Califorina Year: 1989 Make: Ford Model: Ranger Engine: 2.9 Class: 4x4 Used For: wheeling and Keeping the earth from floting away Posts: 50 Rep Power: 9 iTrader: (0)	they wasted the time making it that was so you could use parts of any corner to fix any other corner of the vehicle, of coarse if have the truck gets blown off..... __________________ 1946 Studebaker M-16 trailer tug 1946 Studebaker M-15 resto project 1973 Ford Maverick Grabber 1989 Ford Ranger XLT 1990 Dodge w250 diesel
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06-07-2010, 02:40 AM	#11
wahlstrom1 J-man HD Mech Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 2,983 Rep Power: 10 iTrader: (1)	^^^ Bingo, why make 2 spare parts when you only need 1? And steering gear from up front installed out back would interfere with the driveline would it not?
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06-08-2010, 12:12 AM	#12
Tractorman Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: GB, Wisconsin Year: 2002 Make: Ford Model: Ranger Engine: 4.0 Class: 4x4 Used For: Daily Driver/truck puller! Posts: 148 Rep Power: 8 iTrader: (0)	4 wheel steering generally blows. All that extra slop in the tie rods and junk makes for a hairy ride. __________________ 02 Danger Ranger 4.0 4x4 Autotragic SD mirrors, 5th wheel hitch, and a locker
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