47-55.1 Danforth Cross Member Install

[dsraven]

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.

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by dsraven

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.

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.

[Coach529]

Steering done....

[Coach529]

All set up and ride height.

[Coach529]

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.



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



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.



Ride height.

[dwcsr]

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

[dunce79]

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

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by dunce79

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

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

[bobinbc]

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

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by dwcsr

We have it in and its a whole lot better steering than it was. It is about an 1/8" from the stops. We did have to use Tbrid inner tie rods EV117 and cut them about 3/4' on each end. The rod end were 7" long from a 93 corvette re-tapped to fit the tie rods. On a very tight turn it does scrub a bit but its only when its up against the stop. we do need to raise it 1.5".

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!!

[dwcsr]

Originally Posted by Coach529

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!!

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.

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by dwcsr

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.

What caster number did you end up with?

[dwcsr]

Originally Posted by Coach529

What caster number did you end up with?

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

[Elder Rogue]

Originally Posted by Coach529

One thing I noticed is the steering radius sucks.

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,

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by Elder Rogue

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,

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.



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.

[Elder Rogue]

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.

[dwcsr]

Originally Posted by Coach529

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.



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.

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.

[cwoodling1]

Originally Posted by dwcsr

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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[1953]

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

[mr48chev]

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.

[1953]

Yeah just wondering i got a speedway motors and its saying 18 1/8 from the front shackle holes so i been seeing what other people has been doing 18 1/2 isnt much of a diffrence

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by mr48chev

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

I did not realize that. Thanks for sharing!!

RIP

[slammed57]

really never heard of them, but it does look pretty beefy and stout. let us know what you think. Do they have a web site?

[mr48chev]

Originally Posted by 1953

Yeah just wondering i got a speedway motors and its saying 18 1/8 from the front shackle holes so i been seeing what other people has been doing 18 1/2 isnt much of a diffrence

It is 18-1/8 an not 18-1/2 good catch. That's what happens when you write something and try to remember rather than check your facts first. My bad, I hope it didn't mess you up.

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by slammed57

really never heard of them, but it does look pretty beefy and stout. let us know what you think. Do they have a web site?

Not even sure if he sells them anymore.