I'm getting ready to install some Old Man Emu leaf springs wich should give my '84 about 2" of lift. I'll start running 33 inch tires after that. Will the push-pull steering that comes with the '84 be good enough for that set-up? It seems like the high steer conversions that you see companies like Marlin Crawler selling won't fit unless you have 4" of lift. Is there any good upgrade that will work with less lift? -- Matt

OME typically designs their products to bolt right in and work with the stock configuration.

from what i've heard, ome springs have a decent amount of flex, but not typically enough to snap your horseshoe arm(that, and the shocks will limit the travel to keep this from happening)

still, crossover is always better in theory...my steering box leaks fluid so i'm going to have to buy a new one anyway, so i'm taking the hysteer route

Crossover steering would be light years ahead of the push-pull steering, but it will still work. Rather than the lift, your biggest issue will be that the distance between the steering box and the J-arm will change through the suspension cycle, causing the steering wheel to turn.

The reason that most crossover steering kits list that you need at least 4" of suspension lift is to allow an adequate "window" between the springs and the frame for clearance of steering components throughout the suspension travel. The solid axle frames have a higher frame arch than the later IFS frames though, allowing plenty of room for crossover steering with 2" of suspension lift on a solid axle truck.

The stock steering should hold up. You might need a drop drag link though. I'm running stock steering with 35s untill I can afford Histeer. Depending on your shock length, you might need to limit your wheel travel on your drivers side to prevent breaking J- arms. I've broken one whith extreme flex to the drivers side. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Stock steering will be just fine with 33's. With 2" lift you may not even need a dropped draglink, try it first. Make sure you keep the torque rod connected (the dog bone between the axle and frame), lengthen if necessary.

I ran stock steering/33's/dropped DL/5" lift on my p/u for over 15 yrs, no problems.

I have 5 inches lift with the push pull steering and the axle moved 1.5 inches forward. and a dropped pitman arm. as the front right wheel gets stuffed and the left starts to drop down or is dropped down I can't turn right very much. as the left wheel comes up and the right wheel is against a rock the horse shoe looking part on the drivers side takes one heck of alot of pressure, I have bent one but not broken one yet. also with the drivers wheel dropped down you can see that the push pull/drag link is pushing down rather then back (turning your wheels) I am going with the 4x4 labs cross over with a power ram.

you should be fine just carry an extra horse shoe thing.
I will be happy to sell you all my push pull steering stuff when I get the new stuff on. 2 droped pitman arms 2 horse shoes, 2 tie rods.

I have had OME springs on my truck for 7 years now. Initially I used the stock steering with the stock J arm and draglink and it was fine. This was with 31" tires. I am currently running Rockstomper crossover steering but I got no improvement in steering manners with it. I had to fab my own pitman arm to make the crossover work because the low lift (2.5") springs didn't allow enough clearance for the factory pitman, despite trying every possible mounting location for the steering box.

I have a stock driver's side J arm and draglink if you want trail spares.

Allan

i just bought an 84 that had 33's on it for the last 360k lol. and it held up just fine w/ 3 inches of lift.