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Originally Posted by America's finest 32
Looking for some info on what you guys have done for the steering linkage on a pancaked front crossmember. Need to gain clearance on the cross member. I’m thinking about flipping the center bar 180 degrees so that the offsets face inboard instead of facing the front of the truck.
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I guess it boils down to how much the x-member is sectioned. You shouldn't need to modify the steering linkage if you limit the amount of sectioning. The one's I've done @ 1.5" only came close to interference in a couple of spots that were easily remedied:
One side of the U-bolts requires trimming it shorter. The process also requires modifying the reinforcement plate that goes under the nut (it gets cut off/shorter in length) so that there is still 100% thread engagement of the U-bolt thread on the side that's trimmed shorter.
I also buzz a little off the edges of the x-member anywhere the linkage comes close so there's no chance of contact as the steering travels it's arc.
I've run the stock steering shafts vs. a u-joint/shaft bearing set-up. To do so requires using 63-72 or HD 73-87 upper arms (because of the smaller OD of the a-arm shaft bushings) & notching the driver upper a-arm for the needed clearance when air'd out on a bagged suspension.
Flipping the linkage causes other issues from what I've read on here. Usually it's from guys that are having issues getting an alignment. They're researching possible causes & the inadvertent flip of the drag link is usually the cause.