soa swap question

i am trying to do an soa swap on my '57 cj5 and i am having trouble setting up the steering. the tie rods hit the leafs if i leave them where they are at now. im sure alot of people have had to fix this issue i just can figure out the best way. im thinking hi-steer but i am not sure how that would work either. any advice would be appreciated.

 

D25 aren't really great for doing SOA because there is not aftermarket support for them and they really don't like the big tires either.

Switch to a D30/D44 with d44 flat top knuckles and hi-steer arms, guessing this is out of the budget but best option.

drop pitman arm, probably 4"+, seen it work.

Z-link, not a good option but will work for a while, until it bends.

Things NOT to do.

http://128.83.80.193/scarysteering/scarysteering5.html

I'm still in wonder every time this page comes up.

Edit:
This all assuming you have changed to a steering box up front.

 

thanks for the help. i have not gotten around to the front mount power steering. will i have to do that before the soa swap or is there any other ways around it. i would love to have power steering but i dont know the best way to go about it. what would be the best setup for that?

 

drop pitman arm?

wait, you are still running the manual ross steering? You gotta go to a saginaw swap with power. Especially with SOA and big tires.

 

Might be able to flip the tie rod ends to the top of the knuckle to gain some clearance. Others on here have done that with good success. There is a kit for this, about $90 iirc but don't remember who makes it. Might do a search for "tie rod flip".

You've just run into one of the many reasons while seeming easy a spring over is actually much more than just putting the springs on top of the axles. You will most likely need to address spring wrap issues and driveline angle issues as well.

The steering portion of a spring over is one of the main reasons knuckle over steering or "hi steer" was developed.

 

Lots of choices for 30/44's, including aftermarket knuckles. For closed knuckles, a two hole right side knuckle that attaches directly to the drag link will cure the spring clearence issue but you will still likely have a big angle on the drag link that the only good solution for is a dropped pitman on a saggy box. Willy Worthy's last Workbench article in FourWheeler addressed the tie rod flip and I think he listed the source for the reamer and bushings.

 

Not sure, but I think PartsMike.com may have the tie rod flip kit. IMHO a springover on a D25 or 27 is a waste of time and money. It should be way down the list after Saginaw steering, upgraded brakes, full cage, ..................unless, of course you have already done all that and a front axle swap.