to make your own steering arms

rusmannx · 07-12-04, 12:19 AM

using the stock length, lateral angle, and bolt pattern, couldn't one design their own high steer arms out of say.... 1/2" plate?

has anyone?

short of killing yourself on untested homemade attempts, what could it hurt?

78 One owner · 07-12-04, 12:41 AM

I seriously doubt that 1/2 in. plate would be strong enough.

woody · 07-12-04, 06:42 AM

try 1"....

now find a press to bend them to the height needed....and get them both the same.

now accurately drill the 4 holes required AND find the correct taper for the cones...

happy hunting

hammerhead · 07-12-04, 01:00 PM

..and add trunnion pin with exacting tolerances... keeping in mind that sloppy fit equals broken down on trail with torn up knuckle and steering... and be sure your insurance premiums are up to date...

Medusa · 07-12-04, 06:31 PM

And after you get al of the machining and bending accomplished, find a way to heat treat the arms so they have sufficient strength.

HI^C · 07-12-04, 07:43 PM

what axle?

Poser · 07-12-04, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Medusa

And after you get al of the machining and bending accomplished, find a way to heat treat the arms so they have sufficient strength.

Luke Porters arms are not heat treated...

http://4x4labs.com/products/steeringarms.html

Good luck!

-Steve

LandCruiserPhil · 07-12-04, 08:10 PM

I'm sure you can come up with some arms that will work/bolt on. Now take the money you saved and invest in a good full cage and 5 point belts. You are playing with your life by trying to cut the wrong corners. Spend the money and be safe.

Phil

rusmannx · 07-12-04, 10:00 PM

ok, 1" then.
my buddies dad has a machine shop that can manipulate 1" steel with ease... that isn't the problem.
(he can do 16' of 1" plate at a time, and punch 1" diameter holes in 1" steel)

it's the design that concerns me.

rusmannx · 07-13-04, 01:42 AM

http://www.compgoparts.com/Informati.../Ackermann.swf

here is a nice animation on the ackermann principle you are all dying to know about

woody · 07-13-04, 06:15 AM

DAMN....that is a nice animation...thanks for the link!!

Do you get Toyota Trails? GREAT writeup on Luke's 4x4 Labs arms and the work he does to ensure correct Ackerman.

rusmannx · 07-13-04, 08:44 AM

and here is another super visual of how to get your own ackerman angle.

http://www.nationaltbucketalliance.c...n/Ackerman.asp

HI^C · 07-13-04, 08:56 AM

WHAT AXLE?

rusmannx · 07-13-04, 05:44 PM

oh sorry, stock 40 axle.

Medusa · 07-13-04, 05:52 PM

Steve, Aren't Lukes arms machined out of billet stock, hence not bent? Heat treating would only be necessary if the stock was heated and bent.

woody · 07-13-04, 05:55 PM

Lukes are bent....

Poser · 07-13-04, 08:04 PM

Not aware that they are *billet*...

The strait set, and bent set that I have at my shop, look like *normal* steel. When I talked to Luke about the material and some other issues/questions, I was told that 1" cold rolled steel would be fine if I had to replicate an arm/arms...

Good luck!

-Steve

Poser · 07-13-04, 08:09 PM

Here is a pic...

http://www.mindcrater.com/Galleries-...2-14-03-01.htm

Poser · 07-13-04, 08:21 PM

After talking with Luke about some fittment/clearence issues, I went ahead and made my own set of arms out of cold rolled steel, 1" thick. Here are some pics of the finished install...

http://www.mindcrater.com/Galleries-...s/RamRod-5.htm

Good luck!

-Steve

Luke Porter is a great guy. He makes some very high-quality, top-notch products. I hope to do more business with him in the near future.

rusmannx · 07-13-04, 10:47 PM

poser, what did you shape yours with?
those are some pretty clean lines.

hammerhead · 07-14-04, 01:25 AM

Shame on you Poser...
that is way to clean...
you're supposed to go wheelin' once in a while with that thing...
what do you think it is?...
an 80 or something?

Medusa · 07-14-04, 03:47 PM

Thanks, I stand corrected. The double arms I made for my D60 axles are flat and made of T100 steel. I would hate to have to even try to bend that stuff.

Texican · 07-14-04, 05:46 PM

Unless you are doing something, not available, why bother? Every time I look, the price is down on them, I have less than $250 in my Hi Steer, all new 1 ton GM ends and used components everwhere else.
Found a guy going to Dana 60 up front and loaded up
Butch

Gumby · 07-14-04, 05:52 PM

Where's the good price on 40 steering arms with a GM taper, Butch? I'm ditchin' my heims.

Texican · 07-14-04, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gumby

Where's the good price on 40 steering arms with a GM taper, Butch? I'm ditchin' my heims.

Bought mine used from somebody here or Pirate, they are RockBuggy Supply, his whole kit is around $400, I have bought 3 of them for customers rigs, one was a D60 only ones I have personally used
Butch

Poser · 07-15-04, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rusmannx

poser, what did you shape yours with?
those are some pretty clean lines.

By hand, with a vertical DoAll, and a belt sander...

Poser · 07-15-04, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hammerhead

Shame on you Poser...
that is way to clean...
you're supposed to go wheelin' once in a while with that thing...
what do you think it is?...
an 80 or something?

Thanks Hammerhead.

That is a customers truck that has 765 miles on it since 2000.....

He hopes to put a few hundred more on while we are in the Black Hills in a week...

Good luck!

-Steve

07-12-04, 12:19 AM	#1
rusmannx IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: utah Posts: 1,062	to make your own steering arms using the stock length, lateral angle, and bolt pattern, couldn't one design their own high steer arms out of say.... 1/2" plate? has anyone? short of killing yourself on untested homemade attempts, what could it hurt? __________________ www.rusmannx.com 72 fj40: F-3speed, DUI, 2bbl rochester, 4 inch skyjacker, 33x10.5 tsl radials, saginaw, 8274.

07-12-04, 12:41 AM	#2
78 One owner IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Veyo, Utah (near St.George) Posts: 331	I seriously doubt that 1/2 in. plate would be strong enough. __________________ Any brag I make comes with 4 kids in back, and one of them likely will be sleeping '78FJ40:33s,SBC,PS,SR,Rrflip,4"lift,Warn,Lockrite, Rockbox, Topless. Parts in, waiting for shoptime: 4.10fine-spline R&P F&Rr, ARB front, York, dual batteries under Rr floor.

07-12-04, 06:42 AM	#3
woody Admin Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Appleton, WI TLCA# 1548 Posts: 7,687 Blog Entries: 2	try 1".... now find a press to bend them to the height needed....and get them both the same. now accurately drill the 4 holes required AND find the correct taper for the cones... happy hunting __________________ Brian 'woody' Swearingen 1974 FJ40 'The Raisin' - Pitbull Rockers, 30-spline Longfields, SOA - 1/4 ellip 1996 FZJ80 'Gretchen' - MetalTech, ARB, OME, IPOR, 4x4Labs 2003 2500HD Duramax - Edge/Juice/Attitude, 285 Nitto Terra Grapplers, 4" exhaust Forum Questions? Click Here! 'America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.' Abraham Lincoln

07-12-04, 01:00 PM	#4
hammerhead IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Central, Utah Posts: 1,988	..and add trunnion pin with exacting tolerances... keeping in mind that sloppy fit equals broken down on trail with torn up knuckle and steering... and be sure your insurance premiums are up to date... __________________ utah4x4club.com U4WDA

07-12-04, 06:31 PM	#5
Medusa IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 366	And after you get al of the machining and bending accomplished, find a way to heat treat the arms so they have sufficient strength. __________________ Got Rice?

07-12-04, 07:43 PM	#6
HI^C IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 1,133	what axle? __________________ EMAIL ME click on my name, Send email to HI^C TONS FOR SALE <<<CLICK ME "everyone has different experiences and different opinions" My posts "greatly based on my observations and opinions" and "TO EACH HIS OWN" Sig edited to help futher eliminate those who have or get twisted panities.

07-12-04, 08:10 PM	#8
LandCruiserPhil IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Scottsdale Arizona Posts: 2,864	I'm sure you can come up with some arms that will work/bolt on. Now take the money you saved and invest in a good full cage and 5 point belts. You are playing with your life by trying to cut the wrong corners. Spend the money and be safe. Phil __________________ "Knowledge without experience is just information" Copper State Cruisers #003

07-12-04, 10:00 PM	#9
rusmannx IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: utah Posts: 1,062	ok, 1" then. my buddies dad has a machine shop that can manipulate 1" steel with ease... that isn't the problem. (he can do 16' of 1" plate at a time, and punch 1" diameter holes in 1" steel) it's the design that concerns me. __________________ www.rusmannx.com 72 fj40: F-3speed, DUI, 2bbl rochester, 4 inch skyjacker, 33x10.5 tsl radials, saginaw, 8274.

07-13-04, 01:42 AM	#10
rusmannx IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: utah Posts: 1,062	http://www.compgoparts.com/Informati.../Ackermann.swf here is a nice animation on the ackermann principle you are all dying to know about __________________ www.rusmannx.com 72 fj40: F-3speed, DUI, 2bbl rochester, 4 inch skyjacker, 33x10.5 tsl radials, saginaw, 8274.

07-13-04, 06:15 AM	#11
woody Admin Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Appleton, WI TLCA# 1548 Posts: 7,687 Blog Entries: 2	DAMN....that is a nice animation...thanks for the link!! Do you get Toyota Trails? GREAT writeup on Luke's 4x4 Labs arms and the work he does to ensure correct Ackerman. __________________ Brian 'woody' Swearingen 1974 FJ40 'The Raisin' - Pitbull Rockers, 30-spline Longfields, SOA - 1/4 ellip 1996 FZJ80 'Gretchen' - MetalTech, ARB, OME, IPOR, 4x4Labs 2003 2500HD Duramax - Edge/Juice/Attitude, 285 Nitto Terra Grapplers, 4" exhaust Forum Questions? Click Here! 'America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.' Abraham Lincoln

07-13-04, 08:44 AM	#12
rusmannx IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: utah Posts: 1,062	and here is another super visual of how to get your own ackerman angle. http://www.nationaltbucketalliance.c...n/Ackerman.asp __________________ www.rusmannx.com 72 fj40: F-3speed, DUI, 2bbl rochester, 4 inch skyjacker, 33x10.5 tsl radials, saginaw, 8274.

07-13-04, 08:56 AM	#13
HI^C IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 1,133	WHAT AXLE? __________________ EMAIL ME click on my name, Send email to HI^C TONS FOR SALE <<<CLICK ME "everyone has different experiences and different opinions" My posts "greatly based on my observations and opinions" and "TO EACH HIS OWN" Sig edited to help futher eliminate those who have or get twisted panities.

07-13-04, 05:44 PM	#14
rusmannx IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: utah Posts: 1,062	oh sorry, stock 40 axle. __________________ www.rusmannx.com 72 fj40: F-3speed, DUI, 2bbl rochester, 4 inch skyjacker, 33x10.5 tsl radials, saginaw, 8274.

07-13-04, 05:52 PM	#15
Medusa IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 366	Steve, Aren't Lukes arms machined out of billet stock, hence not bent? Heat treating would only be necessary if the stock was heated and bent. __________________ Got Rice?

07-13-04, 05:55 PM	#16
woody Admin Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Appleton, WI TLCA# 1548 Posts: 7,687 Blog Entries: 2	Lukes are bent.... __________________ Brian 'woody' Swearingen 1974 FJ40 'The Raisin' - Pitbull Rockers, 30-spline Longfields, SOA - 1/4 ellip 1996 FZJ80 'Gretchen' - MetalTech, ARB, OME, IPOR, 4x4Labs 2003 2500HD Duramax - Edge/Juice/Attitude, 285 Nitto Terra Grapplers, 4" exhaust Forum Questions? Click Here! 'America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.' Abraham Lincoln

07-13-04, 08:04 PM	#17
Poser Oh...Durka Durka Durka. Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: in the shop TLCA# 1856 Posts: 14,303	Not aware that they are billet... The strait set, and bent set that I have at my shop, look like normal steel. When I talked to Luke about the material and some other issues/questions, I was told that 1" cold rolled steel would be fine if I had to replicate an arm/arms... Good luck! -Steve

07-13-04, 08:09 PM	#18
Poser Oh...Durka Durka Durka. Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: in the shop TLCA# 1856 Posts: 14,303	Here is a pic... http://www.mindcrater.com/Galleries-...2-14-03-01.htm

07-13-04, 08:21 PM	#19
Poser Oh...Durka Durka Durka. Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: in the shop TLCA# 1856 Posts: 14,303	After talking with Luke about some fittment/clearence issues, I went ahead and made my own set of arms out of cold rolled steel, 1" thick. Here are some pics of the finished install... http://www.mindcrater.com/Galleries-...s/RamRod-5.htm Good luck! -Steve Luke Porter is a great guy. He makes some very high-quality, top-notch products. I hope to do more business with him in the near future.

07-13-04, 10:47 PM	#20
rusmannx IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: utah Posts: 1,062	poser, what did you shape yours with? those are some pretty clean lines. __________________ www.rusmannx.com 72 fj40: F-3speed, DUI, 2bbl rochester, 4 inch skyjacker, 33x10.5 tsl radials, saginaw, 8274.

07-14-04, 01:25 AM	#21
hammerhead IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Central, Utah Posts: 1,988	Shame on you Poser... that is way to clean... you're supposed to go wheelin' once in a while with that thing... what do you think it is?... an 80 or something? __________________ utah4x4club.com U4WDA

07-14-04, 03:47 PM	#22
Medusa IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 366	Thanks, I stand corrected. The double arms I made for my D60 axles are flat and made of T100 steel. I would hate to have to even try to bend that stuff. __________________ Got Rice?

07-14-04, 05:46 PM	#23
Texican Wise One Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Bonham Tx. Posts: 2,983	Unless you are doing something, not available, why bother? Every time I look, the price is down on them, I have less than $250 in my Hi Steer, all new 1 ton GM ends and used components everwhere else. Found a guy going to Dana 60 up front and loaded up Butch

07-14-04, 05:52 PM	#24
Gumby Former Wheeler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Knee deep in hookers and gin TLCA# 5658 Posts: 5,107	Where's the good price on 40 steering arms with a GM taper, Butch? I'm ditchin' my heims. __________________ War Pig and the nameless 45lv "Don't you know, Stan, it's *always* between a Giant Douche and a Turd Sandwich."

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