I'm building a '49 Jeep Willy's P/U truck. . .it has a Chevy Dana 44 HD 8-lug front axle and a GM power steering box, because of the orientation of the leaf springs and steering box I have to use a Ford-style drag link for steering.

Would it be better to make the drag-link longer or shorter? I made the tie rod out of 1.50" x 0.250" DOM tubing and 3/4" heims and will be making the drag-link from the same material. I'm wondering if it would be better to mount the drag link closer to the middle of the tie rod or closer to the passenger side steering knuckle. The running gear is 40" x 14.5" x 17" BFG MTR's on 17" Hummer H2 alloy wheels.

This is not a permanent set-up for me. . .I initially intended to keep the Willy's on leaf springs but since they are making me run this style steering linkage instead of a cross-over style steering linkage I will be ditching the leaf springs for a 3-link front suspension whenever I can, but I'm so close to being done that I'm going to go ahead and run this style set-up for a little bit while I save up for good shocks. . .I don't want to skimp on my shocks and using this style steering linkage (at least temporarily) means that I can still enjoy the truck while I save for the new shocks.

Thanks!

Ideally, you want the drag link as far out to the passenger side end of the tie rod as possible. Of course this will all depend on clearances around the leaf on that side.

an you get it to the steering knuckle? IE tie rod on bottom, steering knuckle, then draglink on top. Thats How I run it on my5 I havent broke it with 36s yet.

That's how I'm running it. . .tie rod on bottom and drag link on top.

Why not mill and drill the pass side knuckle and run the draglink in a high steer configuration?

I can't run anything to the knuckle while the vehicle has leaf springs (except for the tie rod, but that's on the bottom of the knuckle and that has to go there). . .the leaf springs are in the way mounting anything to the top of the knuckle.