Steering Link Mods (1 Viewer)

[Ron Rico]

I am no 40 series guru - working with mine is a first. Yesterday I went to pick at a truck before it went to the scrap heap and was looking at the steering linkages because I’ve always known mine doesn’t look right but just haven’t gotten to all that as yet… figure maybe it’s time.

Can someone explain the current set up I bought my truck with? Is this some kinda common mod? What’s the thinking here?

I have a top and bottom steering arm on the passenger side and one on the bottom of the driver side. The initial steering arm is on the passenger side and appears to have been flipped and angles up not down. The linkages terminate on the drive side bottom.
…the truck is lifted and on 35’s

Also can’t tell if these bent connecting rods are intentional to the set up?

It’s a head scratcher - appreciate any help.
Cheers.

 

[Shark56]

Wow! Thats all I can say. Never seen anything close to that.
So this is your truck and not the one you picked up.
Is the one you saved from scrap an FJ40?
I definately would not drive that anywhere, maybe to move it around the yard.

And those bent are have definately be "adjusted". On the stock set up, those arms, in addition to being in a different location, are all straight.
That needs a complete rebuild from the knuckle out.

 

[Skreddy]

Someone forgot where parts went when they did a knuckle job?

The arms bolted to the outer knuckles should be on top and only 1 on each side. The bent arm going across should go into the hole at the passenger end of the long link.

You’re also missing a stud/nut on the driver side knuckle top plate (that should be on the bottom).

 

[pb4ugo]

That's some crazy crap. It looks like the knuckles are upside-down. It also might have an aftermarket disc brake kit on a drum brake frt end. Don't drive it. Those pics should be in the "wall of Shame" thread.

 

[Ron Rico]

That's some crazy crap. It looks like the knuckles are upside-down. It also might have an aftermarket disc brake kit on a drum brake frt end. Don't drive it. Those pics should be in the "wall of Shame" thread.

It has an old Man a Fre disk brake kit. I’m redoing all that now and thus the attention to the front end. I’ll look more carefully if the knuckles are actually upside down or just the steering arms have been bolted up all weird.

 

[archie73]

This looks like the ideal time to start an fj60/80 power steering swap. If you have some fab skills, it might be cheaper to start fresh then repair every single thing wrong in those pics. Google stock steering, you’ll see what we’re talking about.

Everything looks janky, sorry just being honest.

 

[Ron Rico]

Someone forgot where parts went when they did a knuckle job?

The arms bolted to the outer knuckles should be on top and only 1 on each side. The bent arm going across should go into the hole at the passenger end of the long link.

You’re also missing a stud/nut on the driver side knuckle top plate (that should be on the bottom).

Yea saw that I’m missing a stud and nut - this is bananas huh. I saw yesterday on the parts car that there were only two arms and both on top.

I told the seller I’d prolly be back for the entire steering linkage set up.

 

[Ron Rico]

This looks like the ideal time to start an fj60/80 power steering swap. If you have some fab skills, it might be cheaper to start fresh then repair every single thing wrong in those pics. Google stock steering, you’ll see what we’re talking about.

Everything looks janky, sorry just being honest.

I’m aware - no apologies needed. The gentleman scraping the parts truck said I can have the whole front axle and steering linkages for cheap.
This is all for fun and hobby so I’m not really bothered by it a knew it needed correction.

 

[Mike Shull]

I’ve seen a lot of mods with mixing, matching and flipping parts around but never like this.

I wouldn’t drive it like this.

 

[peesalot]

Looks like the driver side had a broken stud so they put steering arm on bottom where all 4 were good, I don't think the casting at the bottom has meat for studs so thats interesting how arms are fastened. The bent up drag link hits the frame under pass side stuff, the tie rod is wrong, no hole for the drag link proper location probably cause they didn't have that end as the hole for drag link is in the pass side tie rod end that screws into tie rod. The relay rod is bent but it's actually correct. You will need a pass side tie rod end proper, a proper drag link, & a lower bearing retainer/cap to replace the missing one, & repair broken steering stud on 1 knuckle. Thats just to get back to stock, then go about setting parts of steering system with needed replacements & adjustments.

 

[Mike Shull]

I’m aware - no apologies needed. The gentleman scraping the parts truck said I can have the whole front axle and steering linkages for cheap.
This is all for fun and hobby so I’m not really bothered by it a knew it needed correction.

I sold my stock disk brake front axle for $800 in about 2 hours on Craigslist. It had high steer, SOA and all mini truck parts. I’d jump on those parts if they are in good condition.

 

[Ron Rico]

Wow! Thats all I can say. Never seen anything close to that.
So this is your truck and not the one you picked up.
Is the one you saved from scrap an FJ40?
I definately would not drive that anywhere, maybe to move it around the yard.

And those bent are have definately be "adjusted". On the stock set up, those arms, in addition to being in a different location, are all straight.
That needs a complete rebuild from the knuckle out.

This is what my truck arrived with… I was offshore when I bought it cheap cheap and had it delivered. There’s actually a guy semi local to me who I’ve come across hunting parts that owned it like 20 years ago…
Maybe I’ll ask him if he actually drive it this way. I know I have around the block after I got the truck running.

 

[pb4ugo]

Drum brake frt end parts are pretty much worthless. Coarse spline birfields. The aftermarket disc kit is a shortcut. Toyota disc are preferred with the later model fine spline birfields, large pattern knuckles, etc.

The way that's all hacked, the knuckles would have to be re-centered again along with knuckle rebuild kits, and assembled correctly.

 

[Ron Rico]

Looks like the driver side had a broken stud so they put steering arm on bottom where all 4 were good, I don't think the casting at the bottom has meat for studs so thats interesting how arms are fastened. The bent up drag link hits the frame under pass side stuff, the tie rod is wrong, no hole for the drag link proper location probably cause they didn't have that end as the hole for drag link is in the pass side tie rod end that screws into tie rod. The relay rod is bent but it's actually correct. You will need a pass side tie rod end proper, a proper drag link, & a lower bearing retainer/cap to replace the missing one, & repair broken steering stud on 1 knuckle. Thats just to get back to stock, then go about setting parts of steering system with needed replacements & adjustments.

Clear and direct. Thank you.

 

[peesalot]

IMO the coarse spline birf & discs will last as long as you dont go 37's and gears & banging it around. They will service ok for most uses, be cautious in reverse.

 

[peesalot]

I dont recall if the lower trunions use studs, they may.

 

[Shark56]

If you can get the parts axle that woyld probably be the way to go.
It looks like the axle housing itself has had some suspicious work done also.
Steering stop replaced with a welded on block.or something on one side I can see.

 

[archie73]

I’m aware - no apologies needed. The gentleman scraping the parts truck said I can have the whole front axle and steering linkages for cheap.
This is all for fun and hobby so I’m not really bothered by it a knew it needed correction.

Depending on what you’re planning to do with the truck, you should stop and consider how are you fix it. If you’re going to go to power steering & larger tires, it’s pretty much either the FJ60/80 or Saginaw steering box and it will be placed in a way that most of your steering parts will not work on it anymore. Then there’s the question of how big a tire you wanna run and the quality of the disc brake (& birfield) swap that was done on it. It’s all tied together so it’s best to make a plan for everything before you start repairing them. The thigh bone is connected to the hip bone….

 

[franklin40]

that’s some crazy shtuff right there!! those knuckles definitely need to be rebuilt and recentred with proper shims. the steering arms should be on top and angled down. and you only need one per side as mentioned earlier. make sure you go through the rest of the driveline and mechanical stuff to make sure no other hokey mods were done that’ll compromise safety. i’m still scratching my head with how that was thought to be ok!!

 

[Rigger]

Definitely don’t drive it like this.