My new not so “home brew” steering arms 56k WARNING

[4runner Freak]

In 2005 I designed this set of steering arms to place the tie rod and drag link above the springs, and to also use the Ackermann angle in them, which worked with placing the tie rod behind the axle.
The arms are milled to a 1” thickness through out.
The TRE connection points are milled at 10 deg and a thickness of .75”.














Modeled on a partial front axle

[4runner Freak]

I started to fab these arms in fall of ’05 when I took a Manufacturing process’ class. For the class we were allowed to bring in our own designs to the machine shop and set up the processes for manufacturing and then make them.
Well suffice it to say, each student only got 4 hours of machine shop time because of the size of the class. So I talked to the Prof and was allowed to be there for every student group, which gave me about 10 hours.
Of course I wasn’t able to finish them in that time frame so I asked the machine shop manager if I could come back over the brake and work on them then. He said that I would have to get approval from the Dean in order to use the machines outside of classes, so I did.


From the beginning.
I started with a 2”x3” block of steel and started machining using a bridgport mill.

















So now all I have left to do is find someone that has the Toyota TRE taper mill and mill it for the TREs. Then press the cylinders into it.
Then comes the fun of converting my 4runner to crossover and praying that my geometry pays off.

[ashbyota84]

newbie here, my first reply, and all I have to say is AWESOME!!!

[t0talkos]

Whats the advantage of having the tie rod behind the axle vs. over the axle.

[SupraRunna]

this will allow you to push your axel forward much more without worry about your steering crossing over. only problem i could see is if you went to links instead of leafs...?

[ROCKILLER]

No tierod to draglink interferance and almost impossible to bend a tierod.

[300sniper]

what about tie rod to oil pan clearance? i thought there was some issue with that unless the rig sits high. i have not actually looked for my self tho.

if that was done on a manual machine i am really impressed!

[metchosin joe]

a friend of mine made a set up like that and he had some oil pan clearence issues he had to make the tie rod with 2 bends in it
somthing like --\__/--

[TBItoy]

http://www.xkut-reamers.com/servlet/...ER-FOOT/Detail

Just bought this and retapered a pitman arm so the tierod end goes in from the top. Worked great and I got the reamer 2 days after ordering.

[OnTheSpot]

Finally, someone that understands ackerman angle around here. Way to go, thoes should work out great!

[b2dude]

this will allow you to push your axel forward much more without worry about your steering crossing over

huh? it just put's the tie rod behind the axle

awesome job on the arms...personally i think it'd be cool to put the drag link behind the axle.

now that i've re-read this...why aren't these more popular with sas setups? i know somebody else makes them, i saw some out at jv. i just thought it was to get the tie rod out of harms way, but to be able to keep the stock steering box location on an sas would be pretty cool.

[4runner Freak]

Originally Posted by t0talkos

Whats the advantage of having the tie rod behind the axle vs. over the axle.

Just further from the rocks and it is much easier to accomplish Ackermann angle.

[4runner Freak]

Originally Posted by SupraRunna

only problem i could see is if you went to links instead of leafs...?

No plans on linking, but it never ends, does it?

[4runner Freak]

Originally Posted by metchosin joe

a friend of mine made a set up like that and he had some oil pan clearence issues he had to make the tie rod with 2 bends in it
somthing like --\__/--

I haven't even lifted my truck yet(Start this weekend hopefully) so I don't know how much interference I'm going to have. I'm going to lifting only about 4" so we'll see.
Thanks for the bent tierod idea. Some gussets and it shouldn't be a problem

[4runner Freak]

Originally Posted by TBItoy

http://www.xkut-reamers.com/servlet/...ER-FOOT/Detail

Just bought this and retapered a pitman arm so the tierod end goes in from the top. Worked great and I got the reamer 2 days after ordering.

Yeah, I actually have XKUT in my favorite sellers on e-bay. Just thought I'd see if anyone has one they want to lend out or get rid of, but if a machine shop wants more then $50 to mill it, I'll just buy it and do it my self.

[4runner Freak]

Originally Posted by b2dude

huh? it just put's the tie rod behind the axle

awesome job on the arms...personally i think it'd be cool to put the drag link behind the axle.

I think he's talking about the interference between the tie rod and drag link.

[2manyprojects]

Originally Posted by b2dude

huh? it just put's the tie rod behind the axle

Prevents contact between the drag link and tie rod. If the steering box is not moved far enough forward, this can be problem when moving the axle forward on a "standard" setup.

[b2dude]

I think he's talking about the interference between the tie rod and drag link.

ahh yes...i get it now

Originally Posted by 2manyprojects

Prevents contact between the drag link and tie rod. If the axle is not moved far enough forward, this can be problem when moving the axle forward on a "standard" setup.

you mean if the box isn't far enough forward

[red85toy]

that is wicked!

great job!

[TheBandit]

Very cool. Have you mocked it up to check clearances?

[Navajo1]

Lotta work considering you can buy Ackerman corrected arms like you made from 4x4labs.com, been around a few years already.

[4runner Freak]

Originally Posted by Navajo1

Lotta work considering you can buy Ackerman corrected arms like you made from 4x4labs.com, been around a few years already.

Yeah, I know.
I had designed them already by the time I found out about 4x4Labs, but it's the principle of the thing. I would rather make something if I have the ability rather then buy it.

[Wilson]

Nice drawings and arms of course. I've heard a lot of talk about ackerman angle over the years and if I'm reading your drawings correctly it seems it would be nearly impossible to accomplish this with the arms in front? TRE center through Kingpin/Bj should intersect at the rear axle centerline, correct? The second drawing also make si tlook to me that tire size plays a role when the wheels are turned,or is ackerman only dealing with my first description?

[ogrescout]

That is some sweet work. Man i wish i had access to stuff like that. Keep up the good work let us know how they work

[Brian Ellinger]

Very nice. Give me a call, we've got the taper you need.

Originally Posted by 4runner Freak

In 2005 I designed this set of steering arms to place the tie rod and drag link above the springs, and to also use the Ackermann angle in them, which worked with placing the tie rod behind the axle.
The arms are milled to a 1” thickness through out.
The TRE connection points are milled at 10 deg and a thickness of .75”.














Modeled on a partial front axle