1996 Ranger SAS 4-link

[fordguy64]

alright well i guess i will have to rethink somethings

 

[fordguy64]

ok ive decided what im doing... im going to run a 3-link with trac bar set up... going to save my other 2 joints for when i do my rear 4-link... Going to order 2 regular heims for the trac bar... anyone have any recamendations for what heims i should use on the trac bar?

this is where i got the idea from
http://www.actionjackson.com/cruiser/mods/20060110.asp

 

[F150hybred]

Here's an idea for your steering drag link... why not turn your pitman arm 90* from where it is now.. outward to the side of the truck. Then, run a second drag link rearward to the point where your links are gonna mount on a type of hinge setup. From there, run a link forward to the axle. This will end up looking like something out of a concrete truck, but it WILL eliminate all the angularities that cause bump steer due to the fact that your main drag link connecting to the steering arm on the axle is the same link as the link bars that locate your axle. Your arc of movement will be the same... if not, it will be damn close.
The idea I have posted is something I have given much thought to because I too will be doing a Dana 30 swap to my truck. Just trying to get all my pieces together.

 

[fordguy64]

good idea... just sounds like more things to break....

 

[F150hybred]

Build it strong and it won't break. LOL!! Honestly, I can't see it breaking unless your gonna pound on the bloody thing.

 

[BlackBII]

Looks like a killer project,
I wish I could give some input,
but I wish i had more knowledge on this subject, something I'll have to look into.....


Just make all the angles with the steering and axle the same when the susp. travel up and down lol

 

[F150hybred]

here's a link to the differential/coil spring mount I'm looking at using. They also have some other stuff in there that's interesting.


http://ballisticfabrication.3dcartstores.com/Flat-bottom-radius-arm-coil-mounts_p_24-1184.html

 

[fordguy64]

yea they have some cool stuff... I'm designing all my own brackets at work...

 

[forddude]

looks good dude, cant wait til u get it done and we can go test it out

 

[predator]

one question though, why use a dana 30 if you are going through all this work? why not a d44 out of a bronco??

 

[JohnnyU]

Here's an idea for your steering drag link... why not turn your pitman arm 90* from where it is now.. outward to the side of the truck. Then, run a second drag link rearward to the point where your links are gonna mount on a type of hinge setup. From there, run a link forward to the axle. This will end up looking like something out of a concrete truck, but it WILL eliminate all the angularities that cause bump steer due to the fact that your main drag link connecting to the steering arm on the axle is the same link as the link bars that locate your axle. Your arc of movement will be the same... if not, it will be damn close.
The idea I have posted is something I have given much thought to because I too will be doing a Dana 30 swap to my truck. Just trying to get all my pieces together.

Huh?

http://128.83.80.200/taco/scarysteering.html

 

[fordguy64]

predator: there are a few reasons why i chose the 30.. i want to keep my truck stock width... i just bought new wheels and tires a few months ago (5x4.5) so i didnt want to buy new wheels for the front and then have to have 2 different spare tires (1 5x4.5 and 1 5x5.5) very unhappy with the dana 35 ttb... it was cheap...ive got a explorer rear axle thats going in at some point... im sure there are more but thats the basics


i think im going to mount the upper link (frame side) right around where the fuel filter goes... ive got my brackets all designed and ready to be cut on the water jet... going to do the bottom links first then figure out the upper link... i was going to put it right where the cats are but i really dont want to redo the exhust...

 

[F150hybred]

JohnnyU... your "huh" isn't even worth an explanation. If you don't understand it, go look at some heavy equipment.

 

[predator]

heard of a 66-77 bronco?

why not use a dana 44 out of an early bronco? short width, stouter axle and it will have the 4.5 on 5 pattern you need.....

 

[fordguy64]

dont those have cast on axle c things?