Re: Danforth Cross Member Install
 

Yes you were the one that put me on the trail for the 3 turn rack, I had forgotten your user name so I couldn't give you your due credit

Re: Danforth Cross Member Install
 

I have a rack and pinion and tie rod ends on the way, hopefull they will arrive tomorrow!!

Re: Danforth Cross Member Install
 

Still plugging away on this install.

Threw the motor in to mock up the rack and pinion set up.

https://kustomcreations.smugmug.com/..._DSC5477-L.jpg

The mounting on this rack was offset to the drivers side which makes mounting a bit more troublesome. I picked up some 4" x 4" x 3/16" tubing to make some mounts out of.

Scott suggests a 3" notch to clear the rack. This WILL NOT work with a Ford rack. I had to open up my notch to almost 6" to clear the Ford rack. Frustrating to cut apart something that was finished.

https://kustomcreations.smugmug.com/..._DSC5484-L.jpg

I had to remove some material on the passenger side of the crossmember to clear the rack. I got a little overzealous with the skinny wheel and sawzall.

https://kustomcreations.smugmug.com/..._DSC5478-L.jpg

mock up

https://kustomcreations.smugmug.com/..._DSC5480-L.jpg

https://kustomcreations.smugmug.com/..._DSC5483-L.jpg

Making brackets

https://kustomcreations.smugmug.com/..._DSC5485-L.jpg

https://kustomcreations.smugmug.com/..._DSC5486-L.jpg

Tacked in

https://kustomcreations.smugmug.com/..._DSC5493-L.jpg

Fit test. I did end up opening up the notch after this.

https://kustomcreations.smugmug.com/..._DSC5493-L.jpg

Both side welded in and the relief boxed in. I just need to rebox the bottom of the notch!!

https://kustomcreations.smugmug.com/..._DSC5502-L.jpg

Re: Danforth Cross Member Install
 

That's just what I did on my install. In fact I would almost think I was looking at the one I did.

Re: Danforth Cross Member Install
 

I had studied your install a lot before I started mine. Thanks for the tips!!

Re: Danforth Cross Member Install
 

Has your customer had a chance to put any miles on?

Curious about his feedback on the front suspension.

Re: Danforth Cross Member Install
 

Yes, with the new rack (3 turn) it drives great. I like it and he likes it which is the important parts. Thanks to the input of all the guys here that helped get it figured out I think this is the go to cross member for me in the future for AD trucks.

The truck with the Danforth front end and the 67-72 trailing arm rear makes it ride nice and handle like a newer truck similar to a 2000 up Silverado but smoother on the Interstate. I think with bags it should ride like a Cadillac

Turning radius is also very good

Re: Danforth Cross Member Install
 

one last question. No bumpsteer issues?

Re: Danforth Cross Member Install
 

none at all and I was afraid it may have but like I said it drives great.

Re: Danforth Cross Member Install
 

Thanks for putting my mind at ease.

Re: Danforth Cross Member Install
 

You'll be happy with it I'm sure.

Re: Danforth Cross Member Install
 

I am right behind you on starting my Danforth install, so I am watching very carefully each step.

I may have to talk my son into bring his plasma cutter over when I need to notch the cross member for the R&P.

I am not going with bags so mine will be closer to what dwcsr build.

Re: Danforth Cross Member Install
 

A plasma will definitely shorten up your build time......I should have NEVER started this project without one.

Re: Danforth Cross Member Install
 

Dave, when you tap the tie rod ends to 9/16 did you have to drill them as well? Or just run the tap through?

Thanks,

Mike

Re: Danforth Cross Member Install
 

just ran the tap through

Re: Danforth Cross Member Install
 

Great. Picked up a tap last night.

Re: Danforth Cross Member Install
 

I am trying to buy some u-joints, but do not have access to my rack right now. Is the rack a 3/4"-36 spline?

Re: Danforth Cross Member Install
 

Yes 3/4-36

Re: Danforth Cross Member Install
 

Frame is painted and the rack is in.

https://kustomcreations.smugmug.com/...872_HDR-X2.jpg

https://kustomcreations.smugmug.com/...6760_HDR-L.jpg

I screwed the tie rod ends on until they bottomed out and checked the toe in. Looks like I am about 1-1/2 too wide in the front.

I need to verify again tomorrow, but looks like I will need to trim the rack a bit.

Re: Danforth Cross Member Install
 

As I recall I did as well but there is more than enough threads to do it

Re: Danforth Cross Member Install
 

hey coach, what does the front end of your truck look like at ride height? the last pic, I assume, is with the bags deflated? do you have a pic of the same view with air in the bags and sitting at ride height?
just concerned with the angle of the tie rods. as the truck goes up and the tie rods level out they will get longer, due to the arc of the circle they travel in, so the toe in will get wider. will that be a factor to consider? it could be a hairy ride at highway speeds if you hit a whoopee bump on a corner.

Re: Danforth Cross Member Install
 

I do not have a picture of the rack installed at ride height yet.

I measure my toe at ride height. Driving the truck below ride height will be very limited, and at slow speeds only. Got my fingers crossed that this will not be an issue.

Re: Danforth Cross Member Install
 

Steering done....

https://kustomcreations.smugmug.com/...DSC5537-X2.jpg

https://kustomcreations.smugmug.com/..._DSC5540-L.jpg

https://kustomcreations.smugmug.com/...DSC5574-X2.jpg

https://kustomcreations.smugmug.com/..._DSC5581-L.jpg

Re: Danforth Cross Member Install
 

All set up and ride height.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Hen...DSC_6788-L.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Hen...DSC_6790-L.jpg

Re: Danforth Cross Member Install
 

The sheet metal is back on and I have to say I am a little disappointed.

Below is a picture of my truck sitting on a 4" drop Sid's axle with a couple leaves removed. Notice the placement of the tire in the fender opening.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Hen...513154_o-L.jpg

This is a picture of my truck with the Danforth Crossmember installed. Notice how the wheel is further forward in the fender opening?

https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Hen...877605_n-L.jpg

I have contacted Scott and inquired about any complaints regarding the wheel not being centered in the opening. He states he has never had a complaint. I discussed with a couple friends on Facebook who are installing the same crossmember and they both have the same problem.

My first instinct was to slid the cab and front clip forward 3/4", but I do not think my distributer will allow it.

Aired out.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Hen...2_192458-L.jpg

Ride height.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Hen...92745207-L.jpg

Re: Danforth Cross Member Install
 

I do see what your saying but I didn't have an issue either, I'm not sure if you can tell from the picture or not but its centered fairly good. The stock trucks are slightly forward so when your turning and going over a bump like into a driveway the tire doesn't rub the fender

Measuring your pictures the SID axle is slightly backward of center and your Danforth is on center of the opening measured horizontally from the lower fender bump out to the front

Re: Danforth Cross Member Install
 

Has an alignment already been done. Guessing that could move the wheel back just a hear with more caster?

Re: Danforth Cross Member Install
 

No, an alignment has not been done. Hopefully this weekend.

Re: Danforth Cross Member Install
 

To me it looks more centered now than before. Nice install! I'm sure it will look great after alignment.

Re: Danforth Cross Member Install
 

I am still tinkering on my install and have taken a couple short trips around the neighborhood.

One thing I noticed is the steering radius sucks. I see you replaced the inner tie rod ends.

What was the reason for that?

Thanks!!

Re: Danforth Cross Member Install
 

The inner tie rods that came with the rack were to long. I was seriously concerned when I first drove it around the lot here, our turn radius sucked, it pushed on corners, it jerked on a tight corners like a 4X4 until we got the toe right and aligned and its now as good or better than the stock axle. The customer has about 3000 miles on it with no steering complaints after we went to the 3 turn rack.

Re: Danforth Cross Member Install
 

What caster number did you end up with?

Re: Danforth Cross Member Install
 

It lined up at

left side
-0.1 degree camber <--- a little out of spec but not much
0.8 degree caster
.11 degree toe

right side
0.0 camber
1.4 caster
.11 toe

lined up as a 2003 S10 4x2

Re: Danforth Cross Member Install
 

Hey Coach it's been a few months of driving with the new cross member.

What is your current opinion?

What would you do different?

Thanks,

Re: Danforth Cross Member Install
 

To be honest I have not given it a fair shake. I still have not had it aligned, other than some quick string lines at my shop.

It goes down the road straight, with no bump steer. Around town over 15 mph it seems great. It is the slow parking lot stuff that it bucks, pushes and the radius sucks.

I have about 500 miles on it at this point.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Hen...DSC_8174-L.jpg

If I was to do it over I would not go this route. When issues arise Scott is pretty much worthless as far as support. Looking back I wish I would have gone with an Industrial Chassis Crossmember or a full Fatman set up. Live and learn I guess.

Re: Danforth Cross Member Install
 

Thanks for the update.

I am still deciding what to do. I have the SD unit setting on the shop floor, but have not jumped on it yet.

I have thought about putting it up for sale and moving on to ether a MKII or just clipping the truck with a G-body clip.

:confused:

Re: Danforth Cross Member Install
 

I had those very same issues on the one we did and thought the same thing but when it was lined up correctly it was like night and day. No more pushing around tight corners and the radius was good.

Hi guys! I’m a newbie here, my name is Kit. I have been following both of your builds! I am installing a 3 turn gear in a Danforth Crossmember per the information I’ve gathered with you both. Any help or advice I could get I would greatly appreciate!
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Re: Danforth Cross Member Install
 

What was the mesurements on your axle centerline how far back from the front shackle hole is the centerline

Re: Danforth Cross Member Install
 

Most every MII kit I have seen sets the axle center line at 18-1/8 inches behind the center of the front shackle pin/bolt.

The only familiarity I have with this crossmember is from reading their and a few other's install threads.

I should note that we lost DWCSR in late 2017 early 2018 when he passed away.