I have an 81 longbox and to match the flex of my new 4-link and 1/4 elliptical suspension in the rear. Im installing rancho rs44044 wagoneer springs in the front which move the axle forward as well. However I have been told that with flexy front suspensions and with the axle relocated the horseshoe or J-arm steering is prone to breaking. My concern is that my steering will be less responsive. I have also seen hysteer arms come loose and shear studs is this common ??? I need info from an avid offroader who is not extremely nice to their equipment because im not! thank you.

 

Ive been wheeling my marlin hi-steer for about 3 years on nothing smaller than a 36' tire, now I'm running 39'5's but i have hydro assist so it takes some of the load off the arms, i have not broken one stud, the key is to check the studs after every wheeling trip (same goes for hub studs also) also i don't force my steering, if i cant turn i don't force it, if you need 2 arms to turn the wheel you're asking for trouble

 

are you running forged or billet hysteer arms because I have heard the forged ones loosen up but the billet ones dont

 

billet

 

thanks superjoe . Still looking for other people who have this setup and like or dislike it .also is it true that a 1987 gearbox is a slower ratio than a 1994?

 

If im not mistaken i think some of the aftermarket yoter gurus make a 6stud knuckle

ah here we are http://trail-gear.com/steering.html

and bobby long makes a 5th stud weld deal
http://www.longfieldsuperaxles.com/

 

I just installed a trail gear kit on mine, Seems like a nice kit, I torqued the knuckle stud nuts down to 90ft/lbs, red locktite too, I dont think they are going anywhere.

 

I just installed a trail gear kit on mine, Seems like a nice kit, I torqued the knuckle stud nuts down to 90ft/lbs, red locktite too, I dont think they are going anywhere.

 

Personally, I have 6 stud knuckles and steering arms with chromoly studs on both my trail rigs, 85 4Runner and ext cab.

 

still tha question remains are the third gen boxes quicker ratio than the second gen?? thanks for then info guys

 

Not a matter of quicker, but a matter of fitment. For crossover steering on 79-85 trucks we recommend the early style box but you can also use the late style if you wish. Early style fits 86-88 Pickup and 86-89 4Runners. Late style box fits 89-95 Pickup and 90-95 4Runners.

 

do you know the ratios because that will be the deciding factor i know they are different just dont know which one is a quicker ratio

 

As far as I know, both style boxes have the same internal ratio. I think mine is around 4 turns lock-lock, more or less (I think I have the later style box). I modified my passenger side steering arm to shorten the attachment point for the drag link to make it turn faster and also to let the wheels turn farther left and right.

FWIW, the power steering boxes have a quicker ratio compared to the manual steering boxes. And also, I found that switching from the stock push-pull power steering (on my '85) to crossover is a night and day difference, on and off the road. On road, much more solid and precise, off-road it can't be beat.

 

thats what I wanted to hear which company to go with are there any difference??

 

I read in the latest issue of 4WD Sport Utility tonight that the 90 to 95 box has a quicker ratio due to a slightly different sector shaft compared to the 2 earlier boxes.

You want to beat on your truck and steering, look at the 6 stud knuckles and arms with the crossover steering, pump kit and hydro assist. Then you will be set.

 

that was my main concern thank you WABBIT and I will definately look at the 6 stud knuckles