Ballistic Fab Steering Kit

[doinky72]

http://www.ballisticfabrication.com/Steering-Kit-34-with-Standard-Spacers_p_13-1336.html

Anyone use this?
What are your thoughts and what are you guys thoughts of having it on a rig that I drive to the trail.

I didn't see much when searching.

Thanks All
Chris

 

[Del00XJ]

The woman's pops was asking me about doing this when my Rusty's steering took a poop. He builds Sprint cars and their steering at the same set of with at least those ends. My question was also street worthiness. I personally don't see any drawbacks with it. If anything it might be better...

 

[KSXJ]

I question is can it bolt to the stop knuckles. And if so does the kunckles need reamed? But the price looks good and so does the quality.

 

[doinky72]

I believe the drag link can just be bolted in. I think the pitman arm will have to be drilled out though?

Anyone know?

 

[FIREBLADE]

Both the knuckle and the pitman arm will need to be drilled to 5/8". I've been running this kit for nearly 2 years as a daily driver 10 miles to work everyday and the rod ends are still tight. You should run the tie rod under and the drag link over not really because of fear of the bolt breaking (which could still happend) but more because having both on top would put alot of lateral forces on the bolt and that would probably wallow out the hole on the knuckle over time. There also isn't enough room to both the high misalignment spacers to fit the rims. The Dom is thick enough to run under and not worry about it breaking. I've seen lots of XJ's with this kit.

You should use this kit though for XJ's. The other isn't meant for them. Have the high misalignment spacers from 7/8"-5/8".
http://www.ballisticfabrication.com/Steering-Kit-78-with-High-Misalignment-Spacers_p_13-1337.html

 

[Begster]

This is good to know. I was planning on buying their high steer arms for my 44 I'm building.

I was going to get some DOM 1.25x.25wall and Chevy 1 ton TRE's, and make some steering, but I just saw they have 1.5x.25 wall, and the TRE's, and the price was going to come out to the exact same. Now I can get everything in one place, and have a beefier set up.

 

[doinky72]

Thanks guys. I am curious though what are the spacers for. I know newb question. Sorry

 

[Goatman]

Both the knuckle and the pitman arm will need to be drilled to 5/8". I've been running this kit for nearly 2 years as a daily driver 10 miles to work everyday and the rod ends are still tight. You should run the tie rod under and the drag link over not really because of fear of the bolt breaking (which could still happend) but more because having both on top would put alot of lateral forces on the bolt and that would probably wallow out the hole on the knuckle over time. There also isn't enough room to both the high misalignment spacers to fit the rims. The Dom is thick enough to run under and not worry about it breaking. I've seen lots of XJ's with this kit.

You should use this kit though for XJ's. The other isn't meant for them. Have the high misalignment spacers from 7/8"-5/8".
http://www.ballisticfabrication.com/Steering-Kit-78-with-High-Misalignment-Spacers_p_13-1337.html

You don't need the kit with 7/8" rod ends, especially for an XJ with a D30. We all run 3/4" rod ends on our steering, and I mean modified XJ's and tube frame buggies with D60 front ends. Even with full hydraulic steering folks use 3/4" rod ends. Nothing wrong with running 7/8" rod ends, but it's definitely not necessary.

Also, the only reason that a steering bolt would wallow out the hole in the knuckle is if the bolt wasn't kept tight. A properly torqued 5/8" fine thread grade 8 bolt is VERY strong, able to handle being torqued to about 225 lbs. Most guys don't get them torqued tight enough, and/or don't check them often enough.

 

[Goatman]

Thanks guys. I am curious though what are the spacers for. I know newb question. Sorry

The high misalignment spacers allow more movement in the rod end. This isn't needed for the tie rod, since it mostly just pivots, but the drag link needs to be able to handle quite a bit of misalignment as the suspension droops. The concern is the anges at the end of the drag link at both the knuckle and the pitman arm.

One of the benefits of raising the steering on the knuckle is getting better angles for the drag link, as well as more ground clearance for the tie rod.

 

[waxer]

I too have been running this kit for almost 2 years.

I purchased the one with 7/8" Heims and have not regretted it one bit.

You will need to drill out both knuckles and your pitman for installation. The knuckles were like a hot knife through butter, but the pitman took a bit of effort.

It should be noted that after you install this kit, you will not be able to go back to stock steering with your existing knuckles and pitman arm.

The heims are still nice and tight and the DOM tubing is very strong. I have slammed on my tie rod several times out at the hammers and the tie rod did bow a bit, but that is easily corrected.