OTK Idea/Feeler/ Sorta Thread

[Frank Z]

I'm siting here thinking (yeah, iknow) about a D30 OTK steering set up that I'm working on and realized that most people don't want to spend and extra $80-$100 for a reamer to install a new set of Chevy TRE's.

So how about this? I am considering including a set of D30 knuckles and a pitman arm already tapered for the TRE's for a nominal fee and charging a refundable Core Charge for the knuckles.

It would work like this:
Customer orders OTK Parts, knuckles and pitman arm. They get billed for the steering, $50 for reaming, and $100 core for the knuckles and pitman arm. After they receive the parts and remove the knuckles they return the old knuckles & pitman arm for a core charge refund.

Sound like it would work?

 

[Apostle]

sounds like a fair plan. not sure what is involved with reaming, but 50 seems high. (thinking just reaming out one hole?)

should also add a charge for you to do all the work. drop it off for an afternoon and let you go at it.

 

[Frank Z]

Actually its 3 holes. 2 knuckles and 1 pitman arm. The pitman arms are a pain the keester and will easily ruin a reamer if not done properly.

I do charge for installation, my time is worth something.

 

[jdxj]

sound like a good idea to me frank

 

[YELLAHEEP]

Ok, so let me get this straight........

I gotta PAY YOU to get a reaming?!?!?!? Receiving a reaming is already unpleasant..... And I know you Frank...... you enjoy the hell outta giving a reaming.......

How's that fair?






Ok, all kidding aside....

Interested in also offering a heim & 5/8" bolt version?

Kidding back in play......

Dunno if a drilling is better than a reaming, but people like options..... :laugh3:

 

[Frank Z]

Sure, a heim joint is an option but I'll try to talk you out of it.

Why?
The cost of a quality heim is greater than a Chevy TRE.
If you break a TRE on the trail it's going to be alot easier to find a parts house that sells Chevy TRE's than it is a fab shop that carries TRE's on a Sunday afternoon, or even on a Saturday afternoon. Yes, spares don't take up that much room, but who wants to tote around $100+ in spare left and right hand heims.
Depending on the application, heims will also require misalignment spacers which adds to the cost.
Hard to get a double shear pitman arm for a heim joint.

 

[Starboard M]

What if I just changed the ball joints on mine? Would you swap the ball joints, or would I be stuck with whatever you have on the knuckles Im receiving?

 

[9T3XJ]

I'm guessing he's talking about a system for the dana 30, in which case it doesn't matter.

 

[Frank Z]

What if I just changed the ball joints on mine? Would you swap the ball joints, or would I be stuck with whatever you have on the knuckles Im receiving?

I'm guessing he's talking about a system for the dana 30, in which case it doesn't matter.

Correct, we are talking about D30 knuckles.

Sure would be nice if we could edit our posts on this forum.:smsoap:

 

[YELLAHEEP]

Ficksed. :thumbup:

 

[Glacialbass]

What's a total steering setup going to cost? Is there still going to be a dead spot as with most OTK systems that I've read about?

 

[Frank Z]

No dead spots, that's an easy fix. A urethane spacer is used instead of a rubber boot to prevent the tie-rod from rolling.

Still working on some material pricing and a call back from a couple machine shops.

 

[Starboard M]

Correct, we are talking about D30 knuckles.

Sure would be nice if we could edit our posts on this forum.:smsoap:

Doh! I knew we were talking about the D30, I just sort of blanked on the whole ball joint in the C part. :twak:

 

[MelloYello]

I think this is a good idea. I like the core charge option, it makes sense. I would rather have someone in the know do the reaming for a nominal fee than buying the tools to do it and still probably screwing it up myself.

 

[fireLt.]

Good idea Frank. The $50 for the reaming is more than fair.