Hey Curt!
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 20,774
Likes: 222
From: Newton America :-P
Hey Curt!
Rack and Pinion Steering Installation Steps & Photos - Custom Classic Trucks
This kit looks great-- it is a little pricey ($669) though. I am reading an article on upgrading power brakes as well. Another Rack and pinion kit uses a 84' thunderbird system. I will post an article about that soon.
Seeing the progress on yours kinda got me looking---
F.I.-$900 ish
Power Steering $700 ish
Brake upgrade $?
Exhaust $350
$800 A/C
UUUUgh!
But the wifey said it was cheaper then a NEW truck-
I pitched brakes and steering as saftey issues :-)
This kit looks great-- it is a little pricey ($669) though. I am reading an article on upgrading power brakes as well. Another Rack and pinion kit uses a 84' thunderbird system. I will post an article about that soon.
Seeing the progress on yours kinda got me looking---
F.I.-$900 ish
Power Steering $700 ish
Brake upgrade $?
Exhaust $350
$800 A/C
UUUUgh!
But the wifey said it was cheaper then a NEW truck-
I pitched brakes and steering as saftey issues :-)
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 18,816
Likes: 90
From: Manhattan Kansas
I have heard some people talk about mounting the Rack and Pinion down there, but several of them pointed out that it would be pretty risky, because you are counting on the shaft to slide up and down, like a driveshaft would, when you hit a bump, and they pointed out that if you hit a large bump, or turn hard, the shaft might over extend and come out. Then no steering.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 13,548
Likes: 77
From: Manhattan, KS
Flip, would a toyota PS box work on yours like on the older Fords? That is what I am planning for Old Smokey. They can be bought pretty cheap or kits are available. It keeps the straight axle.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 20,774
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From: Newton America :-P
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Junior User
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Ellsworth, KS
I need to see how you mounted that before you swap it with something else. Maybe my '62 could benefit from some of that oriental steerage.
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Fleet Mechanic
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Rack and pion is good but the mounting to the straight axle is the problem because of supension travel they are expecting the steering shaft to slide and thats not what it is designed for. The shaft slide is design if you are in a wreck to move a little in stead of breaking the colum.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Newton America :-P
MMmm hadn't thought of that.
Troy I used a 1984-87 toyota 4x4 steering gear box. Made a plate to mount it in the same location as the FOMOCO box. Welded the plate to the frame. And Poof jap parts installed.
Troy I used a 1984-87 toyota 4x4 steering gear box. Made a plate to mount it in the same location as the FOMOCO box. Welded the plate to the frame. And Poof jap parts installed.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 13,548
Likes: 77
From: Manhattan, KS
Troy, do a search on the toyota box on the 48-61 forum and there is a lot of information there on using them on a straight axle. Somewhere I even have a sketch of the mounting plate. You may have to purchase a different arm to go to the pitman shaft as the splines on the Toyota box are different from the Ford. One could be made too.
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: Ellsworth, KS
Troy, do a search on the toyota box on the 48-61 forum and there is a lot of information there on using them on a straight axle. Somewhere I even have a sketch of the mounting plate. You may have to purchase a different arm to go to the pitman shaft as the splines on the Toyota box are different from the Ford. One could be made too.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 18,816
Likes: 90
From: Manhattan Kansas
I finally convinced my wife that I had been doing the financial part of this project with everything I had, and that the family would be enjoying the use of the truck, and benefits of having a truck, like hauling things, entertainment, etc, etc. I asked her why I was the only one putting money into it, and she couldn't come up with a reason, so I asked about pulling money out of savings, and she gave me the ok, so I was able to send a little money down to Clint, in hopes that it will buy the parts we need to get it driveable, if not , once the Oct Disney trip is paid for, then I can start putting money back toward the truck.