Grill to Radiator Support Gap

[Apogee]

I was hoping someone could provide a dimension between the radiator support at the steering box "pocket" and the grill, as my fenders and grill are off at the moment and I'm midway through my 4x4x2 swap. I moved my front axle forward ~1.5" when I did my CAGE long-arms, and those chickens are now coming home to roost in the form of my drag link being too close to my tie-rod when I mock everything up. I can move the box forward by reworking the body mount and cutting out the radiator support, but don't really want to push the box into or through the grill if I don't have to.

Thanks, Tobin

 

[Tricky Dick]

I'm not using a 4x4X2, but I pushed my box about an inch past where the pocket normally stops and it still fits behind the grill.

 

[DirtDonk]

Cutting a notch in the body mount is normal even for a Bronco with the stock axle location. With the forward position of the axle now, it might not be enough. And that box is a big sucker! So moving it forward is certainly going to put it deeper into core support territory.

Speaking of coming home to roost though... You might end up having better luck with just the 4x4 box without the x2!
With the forward location of the tie-rod, the standard location for the big box and the forward facing pitman arm of the stock full-size box, the draglink might just end up in the right spot. Making the whole reverse-steer modification moot.
Then again, you did only move it an inch and a half. So that might not be enough either.
Dilemma for now, but mocking stuff up will give you something to play with.

Good luck.

Paul

 

[Apogee]

Paul, thanks for the input. I've been looking at leaving the box "stock" so that the pitman arm faces forward like in my '77 F150, but it seems to put the sector shaft in the territory above the driver's side of the tie-rod, so I'm concerned about needing to limit up-travel because of it. It also complicates my custom track bar bracket, as then those two items are competing for the same real estate. I'm still evaluating my options though, so keep the ideas coming

 

[Tricky Dick]

Consider a Toyota IFS box. I'm halfway into the body mount but that was good for an extra 4". You could leave the body mount alone and still gain 2".

 

[Madgyver]

we did it on the Firebronco exactly as you described, 4x4x2 1.5"-2" forward as close to grill without cutting it. body mount on frame was notched. Also under front cross was cut and welded for clearance for ruff stuff one ton steering linkages.
As you can see we had to build it again after the smash this year.