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Technical How to convert to cross steer on Chev truck

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Reidy, Jun 18, 2020.

  1. Reidy
    Joined: May 13, 2016
    Posts: 221

    Reidy
    Member

    I am progressing on assembling the parts I need to build my 41 Chev truck as a pickup. The short version is I am putting the truck in my picture on a 42 3/4 ton chassis. It will retain a I beam and run a 261 engine. For the long version please go here https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/the-story-of-my-truck-41-chev-long-read.1195381/

    In a previous thread https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/school-is-in-chev-parallel-front-end-setup.1196057/ I learnt a lot about parallel spring front ends.

    I needed to find a wide I beam so the wheels will fill out the fenders. I have purchased an I beam that I think is out of a 70's international truck. It has 12 1/8" drums with a 8 stud on 6.5 PCD that means I should be able to find a range of wheels. It has enough room on the pads to drill it so it will have the same spring centers as the original truck.

    The advice I received was that cross steer is a big steep up. I would like to go that way but not sure how to achieve this. It may be a little more complex as I am in Australia and therefore right hand drive. A lucky coincidence is that the Chev steering arms will bolt onto the International stub axles. To complicate things some more Australia is a bit more restrictive with what we can do. I am happy for guidance on this.

    This axle did not come with steering arms. If the 70's 2WD internationals were cross steer that would be handy to know and make life easy.

    So the question is how is the best way to achieve cross steering on a 1942/1 Chev?

    Thanks

    Steve from down under
     
    Last edited: Jun 18, 2020
  2. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 56,082

    squirrel
    Member

    I'm not clear on why you don't want to use a normal side steer truck setup. It worked on a whole bunch of trucks from the 20s-60s.
     
    302GMC likes this.
  3. goldmountain
    Joined: Jun 12, 2016
    Posts: 4,476

    goldmountain

    Get one of these for the passenger side of your tie rod and look for a suitable Australian steering box. Scan-200618-0002.jpg
     
  4. Rusty O'Toole
    Joined: Sep 17, 2006
    Posts: 9,659

    Rusty O'Toole
    Member

    Typical beam axle with cross steer has a Panhard rod across the front parallel to the steering to prevent bump steer. You don't need this with the drag link parallel to the spring if the drag link is set up right, which it will be from the factory. The rule is that a leaf spring acts like a solid rod 3/4 of its length and this is the length the drag link needs to be. I don't know how critical this is, as all trucks don't follow this rule.
     
    Last edited: Jun 18, 2020

  5. 302GMC
    Joined: Dec 15, 2005
    Posts: 7,874

    302GMC
    Member
    from Idaho

    Sounds like a solution to a problem that doesn't exist ...
     
  6. the 4x4 guys do this a lot
    it articulates better. you probably dont need that for your application though
    look at 4x4 style drag links, there are lots of aftermarket style one that use rod ends or heim joints. The steering link can be added to a drag link or at the steering arm.
    cross steer.gif cross steer.JPG
     
    Last edited: Jun 18, 2020
  7. Atwater Mike
    Joined: May 31, 2002
    Posts: 11,624

    Atwater Mike
    Member

    N
    Nice solution, but be advised of Aussie regulations at their inspection station:
    Very narrow on acceptance of 'aftermarket designs', spherical rod ends would be right in there...
     
  8. the Australians dont like rod ends?
     

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