Looking good Steve!! Have you ever checked out www.metalmeet.com ? There's quite a bit of knowledge on forming over there... maybe some good ideas about what to do about the tear out. I've only used that method a few times on steel...mostly on aluminum, and it's always alot of fun to see the finished product!

Did you change out the Dodge steering linkage from the "Y" style to the heavy style? I had the "Y" on my Dodge and did the conversion...huge difference when done! The problem with the "Y" is that the alignment changes every time the chassis raises or lowers...

JH

I was put on this earth to do a certain amount of things....right now, I'm so far behind I could never die!

John Hanson (06/03/2013)

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Looking good Steve!! Have you ever checked out www.metalmeet.com ? There's quite a bit of knowledge on forming over there... maybe some good ideas about what to do about the tear out. I've only used that method a few times on steel...mostly on aluminum, and it's always alot of fun to see the finished product!

Did you change out the Dodge steering linkage from the "Y" style to the heavy style? I had the "Y" on my Dodge and did the conversion...huge difference when done! The problem with the "Y" is that the alignment changes every time the chassis raises or lowers...

JH

John if you go down to my Jan.1 post there is a picture of my steering. I don't know what you mean by "Y" style. I have a tie rod between the knuckles and a drag link that goes from the IH steering box angling back the the passenger side of the tie rod. This is a little different from standard, but the drag link is parallel to the road at ride height so there shouldn't be any unusual bump steer. Note that the steering box is mounted at the same angle as the drag link so the pitman arm and the drag link move in the same vertical plane.
I'm always open to ideas, comments and constructive criticism.




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“He, who is without oil, shall throw the first rod” Compressions 8.7:1
Steve Peterson
Central Wisconsin

Follow The Leaders For They Know The Way AUTOCAR

Yep, you've got the "good" steering. Here's a diagram of the 2 different types on the Dodge's. The top one is what we call the "Y" style.



I was put on this earth to do a certain amount of things....right now, I'm so far behind I could never die!

I never knew about the 2 different types, if mine had the other style I wouldn't have used it, that's for sure. What were they thinking? LOL

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“He, who is without oil, shall throw the first rod” Compressions 8.7:1
Steve Peterson
Central Wisconsin

Follow The Leaders For They Know The Way AUTOCAR

That top picture is typical of Ford F150 steering. Long arm to the passenger side, short piece off the middle to the driver side.

The bottom is a more typical cross steer, which is best for minimal bump steer.

I know my '89 F150 is twitchy on the road and it's all new up front and had a couple rechecks on alignment by a good shop. My '95 and other new ones were not this bad. My old ones were nothing like the 89 either. They musta screwed something up along the way and fixed again later because they all have the same design? I think they might have changed some dimensions along the way somewhere.

I drive the '89 with real light touch as the wheel tends to kick around with bumps. If I hold too tight, I tend to constantly over correct and get to swerv'n around. Now I just hold it with my fingers and let the wheel kick a bit. The truck runs straight down the road. I tried a steering damper, but that really didn't affect much.

Larry

I'm no expert, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

I worry a little about the strength of the Dana 60 knuckles. I'm carrying quite a bit of weight with the cab ahead of the axle and the 1600 lb Detroit right behind. It will be a lot of work to change over to a medium duty it the Dana doesn't hold up.

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“He, who is without oil, shall throw the first rod” Compressions 8.7:1
Steve Peterson
Central Wisconsin

Follow The Leaders For They Know The Way AUTOCAR

It's only money.. There are some 4x4 modification companies out there that make some uuber strong front axles that would pretty much be bolt in for your setup. Looks like even Dana has gotten into the act. Dana 80 front. Probably a budget buster but something to keep in mind.
http://www.crateaxle.com/products/dana-80-axles

http://www.differentialeng.com/Home.htm

1986 Peterbilt 359

I do all my own stunts. 

I haven't got a lot done in the past year, but yesterday I rolled it out of the garage  and took a few pictures.
I think Ron (grenfell34) is getting ahead of me on his Pete. LOL
I









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“He, who is without oil, shall throw the first rod” Compressions 8.7:1
Steve Peterson
Central Wisconsin

Follow The Leaders For They Know The Way AUTOCAR

That's looking great Steve !

Jeff

Fantastic!


Jim

      All brands of turbochargers professionally rewound and synchronized.
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