When building a rig that can survive the most punishing trails on earth, starting with a Kingpin Dana 60 front axle is the gold standard. However, the factory steering configuration is notoriously inadequate for lifted vehicles running massive tires. To unlock the true capability of your front end, a comprehensive Dana 60 steering upgrade is required. Transitioning to a high steer setup not only protects your vital linkages but also restores proper geometry for flawless handling.
Here is a deep dive into why replacing your factory components with premium billet arms and bronze bushings is the ultimate game-changer for your 4x4.
The Foundation of Control: Dana 60 Billet Steering Arms
The factory steering arms and tie rods sit below the knuckles, making them prime targets for jagged rocks and deep ruts. A Dana 60 crossover steering kit corrects this by relocating your steering linkage high above the axle tube, keeping your off road steering parts safe and improving your approach angles dramatically.
Unmatched Strength with 1.25 Inch Thick Dana 60 Billet Arms
Standard cast arms are prone to deflection and catastrophic failure when subjected to the extreme leverage of 40-inch tires or the intense pressure of hydraulic ram assist. The East West Offroad Dana 60 arms eliminate this risk. Machined from solid domestic blocks, these 1.25 inch thick Dana 60 billet arms provide zero flex. These heavy duty steering arms ensure that every degree of input from your steering wheel is instantly transferred to the tires, giving you surgical precision on the trail.
Bulletproofing the Pivot: Kingpin Dana 60 High Steer Bushings
Even the strongest steering arms cannot compensate for a weak pivot point. The factory Kingpin design utilizes a nylon or plastic cone bushing that degrades, compresses, and melts under heavy off-road use. This compression is the leading cause of steering slop and the infamous "death wobble."
Why You Need Dana 60 Kingpin Bronze Bushings
To permanently fix this flaw, the plastic must go. Upgrading to a Dana 60 kingpin bronze bushings set provides an incompressible, self-lubricating bearing surface that can handle thousands of pounds of vertical and lateral load. The included Kingpin bronze bushing set hardware—complete with threaded screws, grease fittings, spacers, and jam nuts—ensures your knuckles rotate smoothly and stay perfectly aligned, making it a mandatory addition to any rock crawler steering kit.
Mounting Matters: Hardware for Extreme Conditions
The connection between the high steer arm and the knuckle is subjected to massive shearing forces. Relying on standard bolts or an inadequate bolt pattern is a recipe for disaster on the trail.
5 Hole Pattern Dana 60 Steering Arms and Reid Compatibility
The EWO Dana 60 high steer arm pair is engineered for maximum retention. Featuring a 5 hole pattern Dana 60 steering arms design, these are fully Reid compatible Dana 60 arms, allowing you to bolt them securely to the strongest aftermarket knuckles on the market.
To guarantee these arms never shift, the Dana 60 complete high steer arm pair uses a specialized fastening system. Ten high-tensile 1/2 inch fine thread studs Dana 60 are paired with ten Dana 60 tapered nuts. The taper wedges deeply into the arm, locking the assembly together and distributing the stress across all the Dana 60 knuckle studs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Are both sides of the axle covered in this kit?
Yes, this is a complete solution that includes both the Dana 60 passenger and driver side arms, giving you everything needed to fully convert your front end to a high steer configuration.
2. Why are billet arms considered better than cast arms?
Cast arms can contain microscopic air pockets and structural inconsistencies that lead to cracking under heavy loads. Dana 60 high steer arms made from domestic billet steel offer uniform density and vastly superior tensile strength, making them practically indestructible.
3. How often do the bronze bushings need to be serviced?
Unlike plastic bushings that wear out and need replacement, bronze bushings simply need routine lubrication. The included grease fittings make it easy to service your Kingpin Dana 60 high steer setup after every major trail run, ensuring a lifetime of smooth operation.
4. Can I use these arms with my factory 4-hole knuckles?
Yes. While they feature a 5-hole design to match high-performance Reid knuckles, they are fully backwards compatible and will bolt securely to your factory 4-hole Kingpin knuckles, instantly upgrading your vehicle's steering strength.