Steering linkage geometry - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Matt_50 · 12-20-2017, 03:10 PM

Ok guys I need some help. From the search results found I'm thinking you guys are the ones to ask. I have a 1950 truck. But I took the front suspension off a 1984 c10. Search results found that you guys like to update to the c10 front suspension. Am I right?

Problem is setting up linkage. I made templates off donor, marked my frame, installed the goodies... But I think I made a mistake. The pitman arm will contact the frame.

I need some advice on setting up the steering...

**mongocanfly** · 12-20-2017, 05:51 PM

got any pics?

Matt_50 · 12-20-2017, 08:15 PM

Im gonna need to remove fenders for this I think. Only a few bolts though. So pictures arnt great, gear is hanging a lol.

You can see idler, it'll hit but it is a tad lower than the pitman arm the pitman arm is a lot higher.

Anyways, I'm thinking I maybe got templates to high. I used 1/4 board, and matched the crossmember holes to the the new holes drilled and marked from there. So I'm not sure how I managed it but I'm hoping maybe I can just go lower.

I really want to get angles and stuff right though... and what distance from what should drag link be, should it be parallel with the ground perfectly..

Matt_50 · 12-21-2017, 06:40 PM

Thread got moved. Now I know about this little subcategory though.

Ok this is what I got at the moment. I still have donor frame... I got it level and checked a couple of things. When level the idler arm should be at about a 55 degree angle... you guys agree? So i checked my truck, took fenders off to get in there better, I got 53-54 degrees. So I'm thinking maybe I'm just too high? Perhaps I can keep the angle but just go down far enough for clearance?

Matt_50 · 12-23-2017, 09:52 PM

I asked the same question to the 73-87 c10 guys and I forgot to update here.

My concern is just how close is the linkage supposed to be to the crossmember itself. With some small adjustments my pitman arm will clear. I went off the holes on the donor frame... But I just seem real close. Is this normal or should I pull the linkage forward? I'm one pic you can see the tip of my finger... it's a tight fit.

12-20-2017, 03:10 PM	#1
Matt_50 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Joshua, Texas. Posts: 1,303	Steering linkage geometry Ok guys I need some help. From the search results found I'm thinking you guys are the ones to ask. I have a 1950 truck. But I took the front suspension off a 1984 c10. Search results found that you guys like to update to the c10 front suspension. Am I right? Problem is setting up linkage. I made templates off donor, marked my frame, installed the goodies... But I think I made a mistake. The pitman arm will contact the frame. I need some advice on setting up the steering... __________________ 1950 Build

12-20-2017, 05:51 PM	#2
mongocanfly Post Whore Join Date: May 2015 Location: Alabama Posts: 14,579	Re: Steering linkage geometry got any pics? __________________ Mongo...aka Greg RIP Dad RIP Jesse 1981 C30 LQ9 NV4500..http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=753598 Mongos AD- LS3 TR6060...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...34#post8522334 Columbus..the 1957 IH 4x4...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...63#post8082563 2023 Chevy Z71..daily driver

12-20-2017, 08:15 PM	#3
Matt_50 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Joshua, Texas. Posts: 1,303	Re: Steering linkage geometry Im gonna need to remove fenders for this I think. Only a few bolts though. So pictures arnt great, gear is hanging a lol. You can see idler, it'll hit but it is a tad lower than the pitman arm the pitman arm is a lot higher. Anyways, I'm thinking I maybe got templates to high. I used 1/4 board, and matched the crossmember holes to the the new holes drilled and marked from there. So I'm not sure how I managed it but I'm hoping maybe I can just go lower. I really want to get angles and stuff right though... and what distance from what should drag link be, should it be parallel with the ground perfectly.. Attached Images __________________ 1950 Build

12-21-2017, 06:40 PM	#4
Matt_50 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Joshua, Texas. Posts: 1,303	Re: Steering linkage geometry Thread got moved. Now I know about this little subcategory though. Ok this is what I got at the moment. I still have donor frame... I got it level and checked a couple of things. When level the idler arm should be at about a 55 degree angle... you guys agree? So i checked my truck, took fenders off to get in there better, I got 53-54 degrees. So I'm thinking maybe I'm just too high? Perhaps I can keep the angle but just go down far enough for clearance? __________________ 1950 Build

12-23-2017, 09:52 PM	#5
Matt_50 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Joshua, Texas. Posts: 1,303	Re: Steering linkage geometry I asked the same question to the 73-87 c10 guys and I forgot to update here. My concern is just how close is the linkage supposed to be to the crossmember itself. With some small adjustments my pitman arm will clear. I went off the holes on the donor frame... But I just seem real close. Is this normal or should I pull the linkage forward? I'm one pic you can see the tip of my finger... it's a tight fit. Attached Images __________________ 1950 Build



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