If you are running the legendary kingpin front axle, you already have the strongest foundation in the off-road world. However, when you step up to 40-inch tires and high-clearance suspension, the factory steering components quickly become a liability. To truly bulletproof your front end and regain precise control, a professional Dana 60 kingpin high steer setup is the definitive solution for every hardcore builder.
Why High Steer is a Game-Changer for Kingpins
Standard steering configurations work fine for stock trucks, but they fail under the stress of extreme rock crawling. A Dana 60 kingpin high steer conversion relocates your steering linkages to the top of the knuckles. This move serves two critical purposes:
- Ground Clearance: It gets your tie rod and drag link up and out of the way of jagged rocks.
- Geometry Correction: It flattens the drag link angle, which is essential for eliminating the "bump steer" that plagues lifted rigs.
By implementing a Dana 60 kingpin crossover steering configuration, you ensure your truck tracks straight on the highway and remains predictable when your suspension is fully articulated on the trail.
The Strength of Billet: 1.25-Inch Thick Dana 60 Arms
When you’re wedged in a boulder field, the torque applied to your steering arms is immense. Brittle cast iron components are prone to cracking or shearing under these conditions. The East West Offroad Dana 60 kit utilizes arms CNC-machined from solid domestic billet blocks.
- Maximum Rigidity: At 1.25 inch thick Dana 60 arms, these are designed to resist bending even under the most extreme loads.
- Reid Compatible: These are 5 hole Dana 60 steering arms, making them natively Reid compatible Dana 60 arms for those running aftermarket knuckles.
- Universal Fitment: If you are running factory 4-hole knuckles, these bolt right up—simply leave the fifth hole unused and enjoy the massive increase in strength.
Curing "Death Wobble" with Springless Technology
The original factory kingpin design relies on a coil spring and a nylon cone that eventually wear out. This slop is the primary culprit behind the violent shaking known as "death wobble." Our springless Dana 60 high steer design replaces these weak links.
By utilizing the Dana 60 bronze bushing high steer kit, you replace the compressible spring with a solid bronze bushing and a threaded preload set screw. This allows you to mechanically lock in the tension on your knuckles, delivering a tight, slop-free steering feel that outlasts any factory setup.
Heavy-Duty 1-Ton Performance for Fabricators
A heavy-duty axle deserves heavy-duty joints. This package operates as a complete GM 1 ton steering kit conversion, featuring the most trusted joints in the industry:
- ES2026R drag link kit and ES2027L drag link end.
- Massive ES2234L ES2234R tie rod ends.
Note for Custom Builders: Because every rig has a unique track width, this kit is sold as a Dana 60 high steer without DOM tubes. We provide the high-strength 7/8-18 weld bungs and jam nuts so you can cut your own tubing to the exact length your specific suspension requires.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the advantage of a springless high steer setup?
A springless Dana 60 high steer setup replaces the factory spring with a solid bronze bushing. This prevents the kingpin from getting loose as the components wear, effectively eliminating death wobble and providing much more precise steering feedback.
Will these 5-hole arms fit my standard 4-hole knuckles?
Yes! While they are designed as 5 hole Dana 60 steering arms (Reid compatible), they bolt directly onto standard factory 4-hole knuckles without modification.
What tubing do I need for the 7/8-18 weld bungs?
Most fabricators use 1.5-inch or 1.75-inch OD DOM tubing with a .250-wall. The included 7/8-18 weld bungs and jam nuts are designed to slide into this tubing for a perfect weld-on steering solution.