FE Power Forums
FE Power Forums => Member Projects => Topic started by: Katz427 on December 18, 2018, 04:38:44 PM
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Unisteer rack and pinion steering for a 1967 Ranchero. Has anyone installed one ? I want to modify the shock towers, but it is also tight by the steering box. Wondering if the rack opens up some room or creates other issues.
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I am going to do electric power steering, it wont help the steering box space but will get rid of the pump and all the hoses, slave cylinder etc.
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We just did one on a 1957 Fairlane, the brackets are OK but it drives odd and it does not turn vary sharp, we put a heavy duty sway bar on it and the brackets hang down low and ugly, I don't know if I would do it again. Leny Mason
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Its just a GM centerstearing rack from the small frontwheel drive
platform dont know the models in USA, Opel Kadett here. And
some brackets. Easy to build if you want to DIY, I have done several
Free up some space att the box but you still have the shaft there
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We just did one on a 1957 Fairlane, the brackets are OK but it drives odd and it does not turn vary sharp, we put a heavy duty sway bar on it and the brackets hang down low and ugly, I don't know if I would do it again. Leny Mason
Had a customer install something similar on his 69 GT500. He seems OK with it, but to me it seems to drift around a lot & have considerable bump steer issues. Not really impressed - other options seem better.
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Thanks for the replies. I was thinking about all the steering racks that were replaced on those GM front drives. I did a couple myself for friends. Well maybe the borgeson setup is about the best , then just 'fit' everything around it. I have a Fairlane with the borgeson conversion and it drives fine.
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There are some pitfalls using r&P to watch out for . I think they all compromise steering radius.. This is due to a lack of travel. None of the racks available that i know of can cure that.. Second thing is geometry Some guys want to connect the steering rods from the rack directly to the steering arm on the spindle . That screws up your ackerman geometry and you will scrub off your tires in no time. For rear steer early fords, the best rack to use is the Chev Cavalier. It is a rear steer rack where the rack will connect to the existing center link to preserve the correct geometry. Bracketry attaches to the frame rails and centers the rack.. Remodeling of the steering shaft is necessary but you get rid of the lump that is the stock box and you can tuck the rack up out of the way.. You still lose turning radius but it is livable.
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Yes there is a lot about the geometry to dont get bumpstear to much to
write here .Yes the cavalier is the same J platform as Opel Kadett and SAAB
Audi have a similar rack also
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Thanks again. Yes, Royce , that is a good point. All of the R&P are adapted from a different car, so compromise. So that can be a problem, bothersome when parking. I looked at the FPA headers, they fit but 'tight', with a borgeson box.