Mounting the steering box

[mbryson]

OK, I'm to the point I need some kind of steering box before I put the motor in (lots of room to work right now). Thinking of mounting a box right here (see below picture). I trimmed the stock 'trackbar' (WTF they are doing on a leaf suspension, I'd like to know) bracket off and will mount to the frame in roughly that location (see my nice red 'dots'), the holes sleeved with tube of the same size as the stock one.

I'm thinking I'll plate all 4 sides of the frame with 1/4" or 3/8"? Anybody see anything I'm screwing up?

 

[Shawn]

Anybody see anything I'm screwing up?

I don't see anything

Where is the pic??????????????

 

[mbryson]

I don't see anything

Where is the pic??????????????

Wow, good question.........just a sec. Ahhhhhh, there we go.

 

[Hickey]

I say 1/4" is overkill. I had a thread on here with pics when I mounted my steering box further forward, but the pics got deleted when the new software was updated.

 

[Milner]

(see below picture)

If you plate the frame, stagger the ends of the plates, and angle/diamond cut them. Having all the weld seems in the same place just give it a place to crack....If you stagger them the flex in the frame is not all terminated at the same spot.

 

[mbryson]

I say 1/4" is overkill. I had a thread on here with pics when I mounted my steering box further forward, but the pics got deleted when the new software was updated.

yeah, I'm just getting done searching and haven't seen much. (I hate searching on that 'other' board. Good tech, but wading through the hardass attitudes is a little annoying. The guys that know their stuff are usually pretty cool, though.)

 

[Hickey]

Found em!!

Are you using a box with a forward facing pitman arm?!?!?

 

[Hickey]

If you plate the frame, stagger the ends of the plates, and angle/diamond cut them. Having all the weld seems in the same place just give it a place to crack....If you stagger them the flex in the frame is not all terminated at the same spot.

YUP! That's what I did on mine and I had no flex at all from the frame and the steering box, and never had frame problems.

 

[mbryson]

Found em!!

Are you using a box with a forward facing pitman arm?!?!?

Astro van box is what I have. I'm not real committed to it or anything, just seemed like a good place to put it. I have an Xj pitman kicking around or wouldn't mind just getting another box from something.

I thought I'd fab up a frame brace under the oilpan to spread the load to the passenger side. I'm planning on using hyro-assist and so I might be making a big deal out of nothing ?

 

[EZRhino]

I'm sure you were considering this already......make sure to add a steering box brace to the pass side framerail.

EZ

 

[Shawn]

Why do you want to move your box back?

 

[Hickey]

I'm sure you were considering this already......make sure to add a steering box brace to the pass side framerail.

EZ

My box was right up against the crossmember, so I didn't need one. You can see the old brace still on the box.

 

[mbryson]

Why do you want to move your box back?

I've got a box that doesn't fit in the stock location. It wouldn't be too hard to find a YJ box, but I've never liked their location. Pretty vulnerable spot, but I've never heard of one getting FUBARED.

 

[Shawn]

Personally, the placement of your box should depend on where the axle is lined out. The pitman arm should be placed so the the drag link is in a nice line with the tie rod. Also, the height of the box and/or drop of the pitman arm is just as important.

 

[Hickey]

I've got a box that doesn't fit in the stock location. It wouldn't be too hard to find a YJ box, but I've never liked their location. Pretty vulnerable spot, but I've never heard of one getting FUBARED.

When I moved mine, I also rotated it up, so the box was level with the frame.

I have a stock YJ steering shaft too...... for sale....... to a friend.......

 

[mbryson]

Personally, the placement of your box should depend on where the axle is lined out. The pitman arm should be placed so the the drag link is in a nice line with the tie rod. Also, the height of the box and/or drop of the pitman arm is just as important.

That's kind of my thought process. Let me clamp it in place and get a couple more pics.

 

[Shawn]

If you have the room to move that box back that much, then I would push the front axle forward more.

 

[EZRhino]

Took me a bit to find this tech article.....

http://www.4x4now.com/bulj.htm

Dunno if you know Gene or not, really nice guy. Go about 2/3 of the way down the page, there is a paragraph titled "relocating steering box" or something. Hopefully it will be useful info.

EZ

 

[mbryson]

If you have the room to move that box back that much, then I would push the front axle forward more.

The shackles are out at the end of the frame (well within an inch or so). I could link it up (and might), but I just want to get it moving around and see what I don't like or do like.

 

[Shawn]

The shackles are out at the end of the frame (well within an inch or so). I could link it up (and might), but I just want to get it moving around and see what I don't like or do like.

Flip the springs around. You should try and move that front end forward.