Santaclaus

Has anyone considered putting a front axle under the rear. I seem to be running into smaller and smaller parking places where it would be nice to have rear wheel steering. As an added benefit you would get disc brakes. It seem like Chevrolet tried it for a while but don't know what ever became of it. Long was being useful it would be fun to mess with people's minds. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks, Mike.

peckens

there is a small truck in the usmc now that is used for towing small arty pieces around that has the ability to turn on 4 wheel steering but I wouldnt recommend doing it for parking. too much work, too dangerous

crazzywolfie

maybe you just need bigger or better mirrors. i know lots of parking lots are being built mainly for cars but if you park right on the line your truck should fit fine.

Jim Lane

I would like to do this on my truck but I probably would not be able to keep my duals, I would control the steering with a doubling acting hydraulic cylinder so it would re-center itself, by using an array of cameras and a monitor it would be easy to get into parkings, also mess with traffic by changing lanes sideways. it would be easier to spot a trailer.

Jim

sooty

some of the rock crawlers do it, try prorock, calrock, pirate 4x4 to see some results, they all stop by lucerne valley locally on their regional competitions

Trebor

GM had "quadrasteer" many years ago. You might be able to swap a SRW quadrasteer axle under your truck if there is a version comparable with your GVW.
http://trucks.about.com/cs/4ws/a/4wheel_steering.htm
Video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOAfjiU7-FU

enafzige

A big issue may be finding a "front" axle with a large enough ring gear to accomodate the torque of the Cummins.

Dana 70s work ok under stock power levels, but seem to give up at higher loads. A dana 60 in the rear may not be a great idea.

--Eric

maybe368

We used to change lanes sideways in our tillered ladder truck lots o fun. We could put that truck anywhere...Mark

Grrr

No reason to install another front axle under the rig. At that point it would be easier to modify the original rear axle. Remove the tubes, or cut/mill them down to accept a set of "C's". Install the outers that you took off the same axle as the inner "C" Then get some custom shafts made to be installed in the D70

Grrr

The other issue with a front axle in the rear is the ring and pinion would be spinning backwards. I guarantee they wouldn't hold up long to the generated torque...

jstone44720

Exactly - I saw this done on extreme4x4 a while back using corporate 14 bolt knuckles. If you are serious about weight, I have seen front dana 80 knuckles available too. Jim's plan on power and control is a good one that is often used in rock crawling. I would also look at a solenoid to pin the steering in the straight position if something goes out as a safety.