Ford TTB Steering Box for front stretch

[STEELFISH]

Anyone try this yet? Rangers and F-150's both had arm forward steering boxs and they mount inside the frame rail. It would be a interesting way to stretch the front wheels forward maybe 3" or so. I am going to be matching up boxes over the weekend, just playing with some ideas.
J

 

[jmop]

I had a buddy do that to a YJ. He used the box out of an Astro van. It is identical to a XJ box 'cept that the arm is forward. You will have to move your axle more then 3" though unless you move the box location. The pitman is 180* around so it's something like 12" forward. Plus the arm is pointing down and forward instead of up so you might hit it on stuff.

 

[Lincoln]

... The pitman is 180* around so it's something like 12" forward. Plus the arm is pointing down and forward instead of up so you might hit it on stuff.

To you think? You could add about 4000 lbs worth of steel to protect it and it would even provide weight in the front for traction on steep climbs. Kind of like those lead filled bumpers.

 

[STEELFISH]

so it's not worth it is what the "master's" are saying?:gee:

 

[jmop]

It can be done but you need to rotate the box and move it back. Also moving the box back presents several problems like the motor mounts/track bar mount and the steering shaft getting shorter and with the box rotated up the angles on the joints get worse. Then you probably would want to run a flatter pitman arm to keep it from hanging way down.

lot of work for little gain in an XJ in my opinion.

 

[CW]

I pushed my front axle forward 3" and have had no problems with the stock box and pitman arm location. I don't see the need for the swap.

 

[hadfield4wd]

Just put the pitman arm on your existing box backwards and know that you will have to turn right to go left. Sorry couldn't resist.