Ford Ranger i-beam center link steering

So we got this here 89 Ford Ranger. Relevant existing front suspension upgrades include: custom extended i-beams, custom radius arms, D44 front differential, King 12" shocks with remote reservoir, and 16" Boyd Coddington mega offset wheels. There Is no Front sway bar.

Factory ball joint steering is is all fukockted, and this Ranger in stock trim suffers bump steer. We've oped for a test drive and some further investigation. Its already common knowledge that the i-beam design, from Henry's decedents, have active camber change all the way through wheel travel. Before I get the truck moving, with the shifter in Park, try steering lock to lock and notice each fender(the whole truck) lift from the horizon with each spin of the steering wheel. This jacking action owes credit to the ridiculous offset in the alloy wheels. Scrub radius is f'd. Wheels selection can easily correct this problem. This ranger drives well, its solid and tracks strait. Shocks are well matched to this Ranger as the front glides confidently over a set of whoops, at speed. However, when steering I feel some strange action. Turn in and hold steering angle. The truck starts turning, when the body roll catches up with track there's even more turn to be found. Body roll under-steer. While observing the truck up on the lift, back at the shop we inspect steering arm pivot points. The drag link and tie rods pivot several inches away from the point where the beams pivot. (diagram to the right illustrates the factory set-up well) The tie rod lengths are mismatched. Theoretily the tie rod length and arm length should be the same length in order to eliminate bump steer.

As a solution we've opted to design a center-link type setup using a center link bar with idler arm, and 2 tie rods. The center-link design gives a place to mount the right side tie rod when the the correct length is used. Bronze oil impregnated bushings are used on the idler arm. Fk JMX series rod ends are used because their rated static radial load is 8,000 pounds greater than the best comparing rod end. All Grade 8 FNL bolts are located in triple shear for strength, except the mondo idler arm bolt which is 3/4 Gr. 8 in double shear. (Please look past the spilled coolant and over greased zerks in the pics!)

Another short jog to the trail comfirms a job well done. Confidence is greatly increased with steering consistency regardless of body roll. Now it just needs a set of Kings in the rear to keep the tail planted through the whoops!