Dana 30 steering?

[khast2010]

I am planning a 4wd conversion and a dana 30 SAS on my '05 XL 2.3 (yes I know....31's max is what ill be running, mostly just tired of 2wd)

However I am completely, 100 %, absolutely clueless as to how to change my stock steering setup to work with a solid axle?

I couldnt expect any one to sit and explain the whole process to me but any suggestions of where I might find a good writeup or something?

thanks for any help!

 

[Captain Ledd]

You'll have a rack and pinion setup. It will not work in any way shape or form with a solid axle.

But luckily, a '97 and earlier ranger's steering will, and ford used that box on friggen everything so they're easy to come by. It's called a pitman arm steering box.

Since you've got to fabricate things anyways, it might be a good deal to get the steering stuff from the Jeep you nabbed the axle from too. (it'll have a similar setup)

 

[khast2010]

thanks I will look into that

 

[Captain Ledd]

Well I guess that box is technically called a "Saginaw box" but either term will get the point across.

This is the best picture I can immediately find. this one is bolted to the outside of the frame rail, others will be on the inside (more common) they pretty much look the same otherwise.

*edit again lol*

this is sort of what you're going to end up with. You'll see the pitman arm sticking down just above the rim on the right side. Again on the outside of the frame rail, you'll probably end up with one that fits on the inside unless you either find one cheap, or based on your engineering skillz deem it necessary to run one outside.

 

[khast2010]

perfect! thanks