Dana 60 Kingpin steering knuckle & arms that tie together?

Greg

I run a tight ship... wreck
Admin
I want to upgrade the knuckles on my Ford kingpin D60 with aftermarket knuckles.

I'll be running a 2.75 PSC DE cyl and want to double sheer the mount, by running a steering arm that lines up with the knuckles TRE hole, so I can run a long bolt with spacers thru the steering arm & knuckle making for a (hopefully) stronger steering setup. Anyone know of a high steer arm that lines up like that?
 

Greg

I run a tight ship... wreck
Admin
Looks like Artec makes arms that you need to have machined, to line up with the knuckle hole. This should do! (currently sold out though)


They only work with the Solid Axle Industries knuckles, with the keyed design.


About $1000 for aftermarket knuckles and arms, I think that'll work.
 

Greg

I run a tight ship... wreck
Admin
That would be my only advice, look for something keyed. I really need to go full hydro and will do the same.

Yeah, it's one of those things that needs to be done right! Keyed knuckles and arms are a wise investment IMO.

I'm hoping I'll get all the strength I need between the keyed arms and a double sheer mount connecting the arm & knuckles, while keeping the steering ram a little lower, for maximum uptravel.
 

Ashcat

Active Member
Location
Wisco
It’s a bummer that four wheel supply closed shop or at least discontinued the high steer arm side of the shop. He offered any configuration at good prices
 

Asbjorn

Active Member
Location
Montrose, CO
I’d say the keyed setup is well worth it. Sheared highsteer studs on the trail is no fun, I’ve had to deal with it before.

I have heard some feedback that the aluminum arms don’t hold up well, but that’s Internet lore.

I have the Solid keyed knuckles and arms. Currently not double shear, but if I want to (probably will at some point), I’d just weld some tabs onto the arms for the tie-in bolt.
 

Greg

I run a tight ship... wreck
Admin
I’d say the keyed setup is well worth it. Sheared highsteer studs on the trail is no fun, I’ve had to deal with it before.

I have heard some feedback that the aluminum arms don’t hold up well, but that’s Internet lore.

I have the Solid keyed knuckles and arms. Currently not double shear, but if I want to (probably will at some point), I’d just weld some tabs onto the arms for the tie-in bolt.

I would definitely prefer steel arms myself, but I haven't seen any other options beyond the Aluminum Artec arms.
 

Asbjorn

Active Member
Location
Montrose, CO
I would definitely prefer steel arms myself, but I haven't seen any other options beyond the Aluminum Artec arms.
These look nice, and I believe Ballistic has been doing decent on their order fulfillment. Spendy though…
DFEA3ACA-33DC-4CB0-8815-2EFFDF430ED2.png

Or something like these on existing arms (kind of what I plan to do)
A1E72B10-75A4-4EFE-BF89-94672C138BF8.png
 
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Tacoma

Et incurventur ante non
Location
far enough away
Summit Machine made the only decent, true double-shear arms, but the last set they made was really, REALLY expensive. They are not a production item and I would hazard a guess that they would rather not do them again. Very long machine time.

Keyed knuckles should really be machined to match, or the keyway isn't doing all it could to resist shear. If I remember, Offroad Design has or had a keyed option for their steering arms-- but it's the metal-to-metal fit that does most of the work. Their arms also have a 5th bolt hole for Reid arms.
Crane and Reid make awesome products. I wouldn't trust anything Ballistic does.
 

STAG

Well-Known Member
These look nice, and I believe Ballistic has been doing decent on their order fulfillment. Spendy though…
View attachment 157383
I had these on my YJ Unlimited build and honestly I was really unimpressed with the machining QC from Ballistic. Granted this was about 11 years ago so I’m sure it would be different now but basically the whole thing was just chattered surface and inside the spring pocket was chips that were melted/fused into the surface. I can’t believe they sent them out the door like that.
 

Greg

I run a tight ship... wreck
Admin
Looks like Artec makes arms that you need to have machined, to line up with the knuckle hole. This should do! (currently sold out though)


They only work with the Solid Axle Industries knuckles, with the keyed design.


About $1000 for aftermarket knuckles and arms, I think that'll work.

Unfortunately, Artec has those aluminum steering arms on backorder and they won't be available for a month or so. I'd rather not wait on parts...

Anyone know of another keyed steering arm and aftermarket knuckle combo that will allow you to connect the high steer arm to the knuckle?

I looked at Crane and Solid Axle Industries with no luck.
 

Greg

I run a tight ship... wreck
Admin
I think you'd be alright with Reids and ORD arms, they're not breaking them, and they're not easy on their stuff either. And that stuff is always in stock.

I don't see any arms from ORD that will work with a double sheer setup. I like the idea of a keyed knuckle and arm combo, but I think you're right... quality aftermarket knuckles in double sheer should keep everything happy and unbroken.

TMR Customs has some pretty sweet STEEL double sheer arms that would be perfect with aftermarket knuckles.

 

Hickey

Burn-barrel enthusiast
Supporting Member
I don't see any arms from ORD that will work with a double sheer setup. I like the idea of a keyed knuckle and arm combo, but I think you're right... quality aftermarket knuckles in double sheer should keep everything happy and unbroken.

TMR Customs has some pretty sweet STEEL double sheer arms that would be perfect with aftermarket knuckles.


Mine have been dual shear like the TMR setup for about 12 years with zero problems. I don’t think a keyed knuckle is as important as the dual shear. It spreads the load across a lot more area.
 
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