4x4x2 steering

[cobshane]

Well I can't get the tires that I want until may 15 or later. I have tried everyone. For the 33x10.50 or 33x9.50. There not going to be produced again untill then. I ordered them though summit, cause it showed they would be shipped on the 3rd of march. Well will keeping track online after purchase the dates kept climbing. So I called to see what's going on. Well I already knew from all the other places I tried. So looks like I got some time. I think zilla got the last set. Hopefully with some spares.

Well any that gives me time to do some power steering, which really should be done before those tires. I have noticed a some more effort needed to steer after the 5.9 and the nv4500 going in. Those 33s would probaly push me over the edge since I haven't been pumping any iron or huckin haybales.
so I thought I would throw the ps in while im waiting. I decided to use 4x4x2, since I have heard it the best for the bronco. I have a nissan gear that would have worked but obviously while in comparison with the ford it was a baby. Strength is what I was looking for. Well any way here's some pics of the job in progress.

[cobshane]

Ih the pics are going backwards of the progress. Just thought I would throw that in

[cobshane]

Some more. . No grinding after 9:30, its the law haha.

[akaFrankCastle]

Shane,
Save that drag link you pulled off. The rebuild-able T-post 66 drag link is not being reproduced by any of the big parts houses yet.

[cobshane]

Here's the nissan box and the 4x4x2 box obviously there a difference. But the nissan box doesn't seem to bad of choose either but pitman doesn't work unless modified. The bottom two bolts match up but the other two need to be fabbed up. Which with this box all bolts need to be on. the ears are tiny in comparison. If anyone is interested in the nissan box your welcome to it. Its better han no p/s. Well crap just ran out of wire. time is over for tonight

[cobshane]

Shane,
Save that drag link you pulled off. The rebuild-able T-post 66 drag link is not being reproduced by any of the big parts houses yet.

Can you still get them rebuilt?

[akaFrankCastle]

Ford produced a simple rebuild kit. Came in a little bag. No idea if you can buy them anywhere now. Sure there are a few NOS parts on the shelves out there somewhere.

[cobshane]

Hard to tell in the pic but the 4x4x2 box is beefier than the nissan box. Sorry not much of a write up but I basically went of wcb writeup. I couldn't find many pics of the setup being done. So I thought people would be interested in more pics.

[cobshane]

ahhh yes power steering is so nice to have. going through the parking lots with one hand. its a dream come true.

[crawlercreations]

Looks good! I ended up plating the inside of my frame rather than the outside.....the bolts started pulling through. I use my bronco pretty hard though so you should be fine, just keep an eye on it.

[cobshane]

some more

[cobshane]

Looks good! I ended up plating the inside of my frame rather than the outside.....the bolts started pulling through. I use my bronco pretty hard though so you should be fine, just keep an eye on it.

i thought about doing both but i thought it might be over kill, but i still may reconsider what tires are you running? must be some serious rubber to do that.

[HIX]

I have often wondered why when people plate only one side of the frame they choose the out side. Seems to me is you are only going to plate one side the inside would be the one you choose since the outside is already "plated" by the steering box and the inside just has the bolt heads and washers

[crawlercreations]

Looks good! I ended up plating the inside of my frame rather than the outside.....the bolts started pulling through. I use my bronco pretty hard though so you should be fine, just keep an eye on it.

i thought about doing both but i thought it might be over kill, but i still may reconsider what tires are you running? must be some serious rubber to do that.

I am running 36" Irok tires. Measure to a little over 37". Mostly 4-wheeling so it saw some abuse. The ram assist takes most of the stress off the frame. It took about 3 trips on the steering before the bolts started pulling through the inside of the frame. Plated the inside and it works perfect.

[cobshane]

Looks good! I ended up plating the inside of my frame rather than the outside.....the bolts started pulling through. I use my bronco pretty hard though so you should be fine, just keep an eye on it.

i thought about doing both but i thought it might be over kill, but i still may reconsider what tires are you running? must be some serious rubber to do that.

I am running 36" Irok tires. Measure to a little over 37". Mostly 4-wheeling so it saw some abuse. The ram assist takes most of the stress off the frame. It took about 3 trips on the steering before the bolts started pulling through the inside of the frame. Plated the inside and it works perfect.

Yeah I can see why you would plate the inside. Im running a uncut so my tire size is limited. I couldn't imagine any frame damage happening. My spacers through the frame are 1/4 inch tubes with good reinforcement welding on the inside. But you never know, anything can happen and be repaired and made better. Which im sure you know plenty about that.

[cobshane]

I have often wondered why when people plate only one side of the frame they choose the out side. Seems to me is you are only going to plate one side the inside would be the one you choose since the outside is already "plated" by the steering box and the inside just has the bolt heads and washers

Yeah good point, the outside of the frame is usually what takes most of the abuse and cracks or breaks. The plating from the steering box is more of pivot point for box to put pressure against the frame. All the damage I've seen on frames on crawlers or just regular trucks in general is usually on the box side of the frame. Yeah if your running some monster tires with lockers and ram assist you need all the reinforcement you can get. I took a shortcut, and hopefully I wont pay for it. But if I do, metal heals like skin with the right tools.