Background:
1966 88". Converted to V8, early LHD 110 axles, Saginaw power steering box, 88" rear spring in front with SOA.

Problem:
The drag link (pitman arm to RH swivel housing) wants to occupy the same space as the spring.

Thoughts:
Some different ideas have come to light, all with problems. One notion is to space the axle farther away from the spring pack. That might make space for the rod but would lift the truck even more and contribute to axle wrap. That would also put the rod below the spring in front of the axle in a potentially dangerous spot.

If the 110 front casing wasn't already set up with a Toy locker, 30 spline shafts and Longfield CV's I would go back to a Series axle and do high steer. Oh, don't forget the darned disks...

There are guys I've heard of that DID a coiler-to-leaf conversion on these axles SOA but how they did it is beyond me. Right now I'm considering a RHD truck's LH swivel to get the tie rod in front of the axle, space the spring packs away from the axle case slightly and do a 'Y' into the tie rod with the drag link.

Help?

Thanks
Kirk

Background:
1966 88". Converted to V8, early LHD 110 axles, Saginaw power steering box, 88" rear spring in front with SOA.

Problem:
The drag link (pitman arm to RH swivel housing) wants to occupy the same space as the spring.

Thoughts:
Some different ideas have come to light, all with problems. One notion is to space the axle farther away from the spring pack. That might make space for the rod but would lift the truck even more and contribute to axle wrap. That would also put the rod below the spring in front of the axle in a potentially dangerous spot.

If the 110 front casing wasn't already set up with a Toy locker, 30 spline shafts and Longfield CV's I would go back to a Series axle and do high steer. Oh, don't forget the darned disks...

There are guys I've heard of that DID a coiler-to-leaf conversion on these axles SOA but how they did it is beyond me. Right now I'm considering a RHD truck's LH swivel to get the tie rod in front of the axle, space the spring packs away from the axle case slightly and do a 'Y' into the tie rod with the drag link.

Help?

Thanks
Kirk

Yep you're pooched, there is no real solution. Spacing the springs away will result in bind on compression. Some of us (me?) have done it by making a custom high-steer arm that bolts to the top swivel pin, the steering stop and the caliper mount bolt. It's not pretty (well, mine wasn't), and although it never failed me, I think it would have eventually, the knuckle castings are weak in those areas. My next move was to run the LHD/ RHD swivel and setup the drag link similar to an american rig (off of the tie rod) and deal with the bumpsteer, but I gave up and went Toyota LC 60 for the axles with good high steer solutions. I am slowly building up a Series front to replace it so I can go back to Rover wheels...

Good luck, make sure to post up your solution.

Yep you're pooched, there is no real solution. Spacing the springs away will result in bind on compression. Some of us (me?) have done it by making a custom high-steer arm that bolts to the top swivel pin, the steering stop and the caliper mount bolt. It's not pretty (well, mine wasn't), and although it never failed me, I think it would have eventually, the knuckle castings are weak in those areas. My next move was to run the LHD/ RHD swivel and setup the drag link similar to an american rig (off of the tie rod) and deal with the bumpsteer, but I gave up and went Toyota LC 60 for the axles with good high steer solutions. I am slowly building up a Series front to replace it so I can go back to Rover wheels...

Good luck, make sure to post up your solution.

The options -are- looking grim at this point. :( I knew from the outset that it was going to be tight. Everyone said it wasn't possible, but they said that about other things too that just needed to be figured out so I went ahead. The more I look at it the more I like the Series balls with high steer. Then I just need to figure out the disk brake issue.

Kirk

Sounds like a job for a certain Mr. Cooper.

You and I have the same problem. I kicked and screamed to try and keep the Series swivels/wheels, but when it came time to build it, Timm's brakes were on 'back order' and I needed something quick, so I went with Toyota leftovers from my Cruiser. I understand he's selling them again, 1500$ for everything you need to convert. I still think that they are the best setup that's available. Realistically you can probably buy just the knuckles and associated bits from Timm, and use your calipers, rotors, wheel studs, whatever. And, with all these fabricated Toyo housings around, it would be easy to keep that Toyota E-locker in the front, just build a wider front out of one of those housings... Or you could probably use your coiler housing and graft on some series swivel plates.

I think it will be a much better setup with proper high steer. Mine is all Toyo, but the setup is essentially the same. It drives nicer at 80 mph than my Land-Cruiser wagon at 75 mph (which is it's top speed). No bump steer, no death wobble, no weirdness. It's a lot tighter than I though it would be, for a truck on 39s. On 35s it would actually handle.

The high steer just makes it the total package - 1 ton front end components, nothing to snag or bend under the axles or the springs, more ground clearance than a coiler of the same tire size, and no steering weirdness. It just takes all the weenieness out of the truck in one shot.

Coils Kirk coils..... Easy peasy........:grinpimp:

Coils Kirk coils..... Easy peasy........:grinpimp:

John,
That would make the difference... except for one small problem. I already cut all the mounts off the axle. The truth is that I always wanted to stay with the Series swivels but they don't have disks. High steer is definately the way to go so it looks like I will be talking to Timm again to save my butt. :p
BTW, you missed an awesome time at the RTV trial up north. Bill had me driving his 110 (it turns like the QE2) while he marshalled. It's the biggest crowd of Rovers I've seen in Alberta.

Hey, does anyone have Timm's current number? If you would rather, sent it to me @ hillman88-at-telus.net

Kirk