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2 Hole Steering Knuckle

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Renegade ll, Feb 25, 2017.

  1. Feb 25, 2017
    Renegade ll

    Renegade ll Member

    Thayne Wyoming
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    Which makes for a better power steering setup. The single hole steering knuckle using the tie rod end that the drag link attaches to or the 2 hole steering knuckle. I was told by a jeep fabricator that folks were getting rid of the 2 hole steering knuckle and I'm not sure why. I have a choice to go either way. Right now mine is setup with the original one hole knuckle that came on the dana 27 front end. Thanks

    Julius
     
  2. Feb 25, 2017
    oldtime

    oldtime oldtime

    St. Charles,...
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    I have bot set-ups and much prefer the 2 hole knuckles.
    That said either one is much better than the standard Ross system having a "split" tie rod.
     
  3. Feb 25, 2017
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
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    The 2-hole gives your steering a little better leverage, since it moves the drag link's tie rod end further away from the pivot point of the knuckle. (Less steering input on your part.)

    At the same time, it also slows your steering action down a little (not so twitchy) by forcing the drag link to travel a further distance to accomplish the same steer as before.

    The third benefit is a decrease in parts wear. It cuts the forces in half that are put on the driver's side tie rod end on a single-hole setup.

    Also, some jeeps (depending on the amount of spring arch and caster) have interference issues with the drag link's TRE hitting the spring, especially during droop. The 2-hole minimizes that clearance issue.
     
  4. Feb 25, 2017
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

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    Switched mine from single hole to two hole a year ago, and I agree with both posts above.
    It's an all around better set up.
     
  5. Feb 25, 2017
    Norcal69

    Norcal69 Out of the box thinker 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Northern California
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    I'm running the 2 hole as well. It is really nice in conjunction with a tie rod flip.
     
  6. Feb 25, 2017
    Steve's 70-5

    Steve's 70-5 Active Member

    Louisville, Ky
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    What year and vehicles have the 2 hole knuckle. Would love to find one
     
  7. Feb 25, 2017
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    A Wagoneer or J-truck with a closed-knuckle front axle, 1964-1973. All C101 Jeepsters, I believe.

    Your best source is probably the full-size Jeep sites like www.ifsja.org or www.fsjnetwork.com ; a Wagoneer 27 or 30 is a throw-away axle for any use other than restoration.
     
  8. Feb 25, 2017
    Pack Rat

    Pack Rat Old Timer

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    70/71 Jeepster only.
     
  9. Feb 25, 2017
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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  10. Feb 25, 2017
    Renegade ll

    Renegade ll Member

    Thayne Wyoming
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    Thanks guy's.
     
  11. Feb 25, 2017
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
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    Agreed - I have single hole knuckle with single drag link replacement and have this exact problem. Getting the caster right and proper length shackles helped, but it hits and binds on the leaf spring on occasion - usually when I really need to turn hard in a tight spot! Two hole knuckle is on my list of things to do at some point.
     
    Last edited: Feb 25, 2017
  12. Feb 25, 2017
    gunner

    gunner Member

    Washington state...
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    Not all 2 hole knuckles are the same. Not long ago, I had 3 on hand and sold 2. They were varying designs; 2 of them had extra webbing for strength in the area of the TRE holes and one was downright stout (Maybe for a 3/4 or 1 ton J truck?). I kept the mid strength one for the Dana 25 on the M38A1 and sold the other two. A forum member bought one and I wasn't able to sell the brute strength one here on the forum. I advertised it for quite awhile. It eventually sold on ebay.

    Even though the knuckles vary in design, they all bolt up the same way and near as I could tell are interchangeable.

    Don't forget to do a knuckle stud conversion on it!
     
  13. Feb 25, 2017
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

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    Gunner, you bring up an interesting point. Those of you who follow my build thread heard me talk (probably too much) about Ackerman angle. If the knuckles came off of something as long as a pickup, the Ackerman angle will be way off for a SWB jeep... that is, if Jeep even cared enough to change the steering geometry between models? Who knows.
     
  14. Feb 26, 2017
    sgogpn

    sgogpn From the top of Lions Back... 2022 Sponsor

    Glendale, AZ.
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    Finally! My 67 CJ5 came with a 2 hole knuckle and I have been trying to find out which vehicles they originally came on. I've never seen another one,
    and I have looked.
    I just learned something; thanks guys:D
     
  15. Feb 26, 2017
    Mr Plow

    Mr Plow Member

    Boston, Ma
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    Does anyone have a handy photo of a two hole knuckle that would be used on a dana 27? Googling images doesn't really come up with anything. I am also looking to switch to a single rod system in the spring. Timgr - great websites posted above. Look like great resources. Thank you.
     
  16. Feb 26, 2017
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

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    I recall all the closed knuckle outers are compatible - likely the best would be from a closed knuckle 30 axle from a 70-71-72 Wagoneer - simply because they are the newest. I'm not sure the exact year that Wagoneers changed from 27s to 30s, but the 27s from the 60s would work too. I had thought you can use the J-truck closed knuckle outers as well, which will be 44s.

    Parts catalog pic -

    upload_2017-2-26_14-41-15.png
     
  17. Feb 26, 2017
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

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  18. Feb 26, 2017
    Mr Plow

    Mr Plow Member

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    ok great thank you! good to know the 30's are comparable. Cheers
     
  19. Feb 26, 2017
    Mr Plow

    Mr Plow Member

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    Thanks colo!
     
  20. Feb 26, 2017
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

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    Parts book says they are all the same 27, 30, 44. PN 930253.
     
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