A Dana 60 Kingpin High Steer conversion can be a practical next step when a lifted truck, Jeep, rock crawler, or custom 4x4 has outgrown its factory-style steering layout. Larger tires, increased suspension height, axle swaps, and modified suspension geometry can change steering angles and create clearance problems that the original configuration was never designed to handle. The East West Off Road kit combines USA-machined billet steering arms, bronze kingpin bushings, steering ends, weld bungs, jam nuts, and installation hardware for builders planning a properly engineered crossover high steer system.
Understanding Dana 60 High Steer and Crossover Steering
A factory-style steering layout may place the drag link and tie rod lower on the axle. That arrangement can work well in a stock application, but added lift, altered axle position, oversized tires, and custom suspension components can create steeper operating angles or expose steering parts to trail obstacles.
Crossover steering changes the path of the drag link so it connects from the steering box side of the vehicle to the opposite-side steering arm. High steer places the steering linkage higher on the axle through machined steering arms mounted above compatible knuckles. Together, these changes are intended to improve linkage placement, create more favorable steering angles, and provide additional clearance for demanding off-road builds.
Correctly planned geometry can help reduce bump steer or steering wander. However, no steering kit by itself can guarantee that either condition will be eliminated. Track bar position, drag link angle, steering box location, pitman arm compatibility, suspension travel, axle placement, caster, alignment, and component condition all affect the final result.
Why Bronze Kingpin Bushings Matter
Dana 60 Kingpin axles use upper kingpin components that support knuckle movement and steering control. Worn, damaged, or poorly matched kingpin parts can contribute to looseness, inconsistent steering feel, or reduced stability.
This kit includes a bronze kingpin bushing set with installation hardware. Bronze bushings are used to provide a durable bearing surface and support smooth kingpin operation when correctly fitted, lubricated, and maintained. They are only one part of the steering system, so the condition of the kingpins, springs or related upper components, knuckles, wheel bearings, steering ends, and axle housing should also be inspected during installation.
Why 1.25-Inch Billet High Steer Arms Matter
The driver-side and passenger-side high steer arms are each 1.25 inches thick. They are manufactured from domestic billet steel and precision-machined in the USA.
The substantial arm thickness provides a rigid mounting platform for a heavy-duty crossover steering layout. Precision machining is important because steering-arm bolt patterns, tapered mounting points, hardware seating, and component alignment must be consistent. Domestic material sourcing and USA machining also give builders clearer information about where these critical steering components are produced.
Arm thickness alone does not determine the strength or suitability of an entire steering system. Knuckle condition, fastener engagement, hardware installation, steering loads, tire size, leverage, and vehicle use must all be considered.
Reid and Dana 60 Knuckle Compatibility
The arms use a 5-hole design intended to work with Reid and most aftermarket Dana 60 knuckles. They can also be used with properly matched 4-hole or 5-hole knuckle configurations, depending on the specific knuckle, bolt pattern, hardware arrangement, and installation requirements.
Before ordering, identify the exact axle, knuckle brand, steering-arm pattern, and number of available mounting holes. A builder should not assume that every Dana 60 knuckle is identical. Factory and aftermarket knuckles may differ in machining, hole location, taper, height, hardware, and clearance.
Confirm steering-arm fit, fastener requirements, tie rod and drag link placement, wheel clearance, differential-cover clearance, and suspension interference before final assembly.
Steering Ends, Weld Bungs, and Supporting Hardware
The kit includes ES2026R and ES2027L drag link steering ends/components with hardware, plus ES2234L and ES2234R tie rod ends/components with hardware. These parts are intended to support the drag link and tie rod portions of a fabricated crossover steering system when matched to the correct tapers, orientation, and tube arrangement.
Left- and right-hand 7/8-18 weld bungs and matching jam nuts are also included. Opposing thread directions allow adjustment without removing the entire link, provided the tube assembly is fabricated correctly. The jam nuts secure the adjustment after the final steering position is established.
Supporting hardware includes ten tapered nuts, two threaded screws, two grease fittings, two spacers, and two additional jam nuts. Each item must be installed in the correct location and tightened to the appropriate specification. Grease fittings must remain accessible, and all tapered connections should seat fully without being forced into an incompatible taper.
Why DOM Tubing Is Not Included
DOM tubing is not included with this kit. The package does not contain a completed tie rod tube or drag link tube assembly.
This approach allows customers to source DOM tubing locally. Local sourcing may help reduce oversized freight costs and lets the builder select tube lengths for the actual axle width, steering box location, suspension layout, and desired linkage placement.
The required outside diameter, inside diameter, wall thickness, material specification, and finished length must be confirmed before fabrication. The supplied 7/8-18 weld bungs must be compatible with the selected tubing. Welding, cutting, measuring, and fabrication may be required, and those operations should be completed by an experienced steering and fabrication specialist.
Key Features and Benefits
- Designed for Dana 60 Kingpin axle applications
- Supports crossover and high steer steering configurations
- Includes 1.25-inch driver- and passenger-side billet steel arms
- Precision-machined in the USA from domestic material
- Includes bronze kingpin bushings and installation hardware
- Uses a 5-hole arm design for Reid and many aftermarket knuckles
- Can support properly matched 4-hole and 5-hole knuckle arrangements
- Includes drag link and tie rod steering ends/components with hardware
- Includes left- and right-hand 7/8-18 weld bungs and jam nuts
- Allows locally sourced DOM tubing for build-specific sizing
- Intended for lifted trucks, Jeeps, rock crawlers, solid axle swaps, and custom 4x4 projects
What’s Included
The package includes one 1.25-inch driver-side high steer arm and one 1.25-inch passenger-side high steer arm. It also includes a Dana 60 bronze kingpin bushing set with installation hardware.
Steering components include one ES2026R and one ES2027L drag link end/component, plus one ES2234L and one ES2234R tie rod end/component, each supplied with related hardware.
The tube-adapter hardware consists of one left-hand 7/8-18 weld bung, one right-hand 7/8-18 weld bung, and matching left- and right-hand jam nuts. Arm hardware includes ten tapered nuts, two threaded screws, two grease fittings, two spacers, and two jam nuts.
DOM tubing, a fabricated tie rod tube, a fabricated drag link tube, and a pitman arm are not listed as included.
Important Notes Before Ordering a Dana 60 Kingpin High Steer Kit
Verify that the axle is a Dana 60 Kingpin axle and confirm the exact vehicle and axle application. Check the knuckle brand, 4-hole or 5-hole pattern, steering-arm bolt pattern, taper requirements, and mounting-hardware needs.
Also confirm:
- Driver- and passenger-side arm requirements
- Steering box and pitman arm compatibility
- Drag link and tie rod length, angle, and placement
- Track bar relationship where applicable
- Suspension lift height and axle position
- Wheel, tire, differential cover, and suspension clearance
- DOM tubing dimensions and wall thickness
- Weld bung compatibility and required tube length
- Welding, alignment, torque, lubrication, and inspection requirements
Ideal For
This Dana 60 crossover steering kit is suited to builders working on Dana 60 Kingpin axle conversions, lifted GM and Chevy trucks, Jeep axle swaps, rock crawlers, trail rigs, overlanding vehicles, heavy-duty off-road trucks, and fabricated steering projects.
It may also be appropriate for vehicles running oversized tires or custom suspension systems, provided the complete steering and suspension layout is engineered for the application.
Fitment and Installation Notes
Steering is a safety-critical system. Professional installation, or installation by an experienced steering and fabrication specialist, is strongly recommended.
The installer should cycle the suspension and steering through their full ranges before the vehicle is driven. Check for binding, contact, over-travel, insufficient thread engagement, wheel interference, differential-cover contact, and suspension-component clearance. Verify that the drag link, tie rod, track bar, steering box, pitman arm, knuckles, and axle all work together as a system.
After fabrication, complete a professional alignment and steering inspection. Recheck hardware torque, jam-nut security, lubrication, steering-end seating, and clearances after the initial test period and as part of routine maintenance.
Why Builders Choose East West Off Road
East West Off Road develops components for builders working with lifted trucks, Jeeps, Dana axles, rock crawlers, and custom 4x4 steering systems. This kit is organized around USA-made billet arms, bronze kingpin bushings, recognized steering-end configurations, and fabrication hardware while leaving DOM tube length and sizing to the individual build.
For a closer look at the Dana 60 Kingpin High Steer components, specifications, and current purchasing details, view the product page at https://www.eastwestoffroad.com/product/dana-60-high-steer-crossover-steering-kit-with-bronze-bushing before ordering and confirm fitment for your axle, knuckles, suspension, and steering layout.
FAQs
1. Does this kit fit every Dana 60 Kingpin axle?
No. It is designed for Dana 60 Kingpin axle applications, but fitment is not universal. Buyers must verify the exact axle, vehicle, knuckle brand, steering-arm bolt pattern, taper, clearance, and 4-hole or 5-hole configuration before ordering.
2. Will this kit fit a ball-joint Dana 60 axle?
This product is specified for Dana 60 Kingpin axle applications. It should not be assumed to fit a ball-joint Dana 60. Confirm the axle type and all related mounting requirements with East West Off Road before purchasing.
3. What comes with the Dana 60 crossover high steer kit?
The kit includes driver- and passenger-side 1.25-inch billet high steer arms, a bronze kingpin bushing set, installation hardware, ES2026R and ES2027L drag link components, ES2234L and ES2234R tie rod components, tapered nuts, screws, grease fittings, spacers, jam nuts, and left- and right-hand 7/8-18 weld bungs.
A pitman arm, DOM tubing, and completed tie rod or drag link tube assemblies are not listed as included.
4. Is DOM tubing included with the kit?
No. DOM tubing is not included. Customers can source tubing locally, which may reduce oversized shipping costs and allows the tube length to be matched to the specific axle and steering layout.
The tubing diameter, wall thickness, material specification, length, and compatibility with the supplied weld bungs must be confirmed before fabrication.
5. Why are bronze kingpin bushings and 1.25-inch steering arms included?
The bronze bushings provide a durable bearing surface that supports smooth kingpin operation when properly fitted, lubricated, and maintained.
The 1.25-inch domestic billet steel arms provide a substantial mounting platform for a crossover high steer configuration. Their suitability still depends on correct installation, knuckle condition, hardware engagement, tire size, steering loads, and the overall vehicle setup.
6. Do the steering arms work with Reid knuckles and both 4-hole and 5-hole configurations?
The arms use a 5-hole design intended for Reid and most aftermarket Dana 60 knuckles. They may work with correctly matched 4-hole and 5-hole configurations, but buyers must verify the knuckle pattern, machining, hardware arrangement, taper, clearance, and installation requirements.
7. What are the included steering ends and 7/8-18 weld bungs used for?
The ES2026R and ES2027L components are intended for the drag link portion of the fabricated steering system. The ES2234L and ES2234R components are intended for the tie rod portion.
The left- and right-hand 7/8-18 weld bungs connect compatible steering ends to locally sourced tubing. Welding and fabrication are required to create the finished tube assemblies, and the matching jam nuts secure the final adjustment.
8. Will this kit eliminate bump steer, and should it be professionally installed?
No steering kit can guarantee the complete elimination of bump steer or steering wander. A properly designed crossover high steer system can improve linkage placement and may help reduce these issues when the drag link, track bar, caster, steering box, axle position, suspension, and alignment are correctly configured.
Because steering is safety-critical, professional installation or work by an experienced steering and fabrication specialist is recommended. Fitment, welding, full suspension cycling, alignment, hardware torque, and final inspection should all be completed before road or trail use.