so has it ever been done on an obs truck? rack and pinion just seems so much more superior. i dont see a kit anywhere, and didnt expect to. but somebody must have been crazy enough to try something like this.

 

The problem lies in the pivot points of the axles vs. the pivot points of the end links of the rack. As the axle scribes an arc during articulation, the rack can't follow that arc properly. This causes bump steer, where the wheel steers slightly left or right without input from the steering wheel.

It could be possible to mount a single-ended rack to replace the standard steering box but I'm not sure what improvement that would give over some specialty boxes available, i.e. Redhead Steering Gear that will bolt right in.

Food for thought.

Ray

 

any reason you want to convert?

 

Not that id really ever convert since it would be so involved, its just that my truck needs a new steering part every few months and its impossible to get a perfect alignment, or even close to perfect. Adjusting the steering box is another chore. I never seem to get it right on the first 2 or 3 tries. Its either not enough or its binding. Steering boxes just seem obselete, especially after driving and working on newer trucks with racks.