Hello everyone! So my steering box finally went out on me. After it's hard life of x amount of miles. I am stuck between buying a kit https://www.performanceonline.com/1957-64-FORD-F-100-Truck-Power-Steering-Rack-and-Pinion-Kit/
Or go on and do a crown Vic swap? I know my future plans are to upgrade the brakes to disc (maybe power) and a posi rear end. Comments on any experience with either would greatly be appreciated!

 

I am thinking of using the same kit for my 64 F100; I have talked to several people about it and have got split responses. I am leaning toward using this kit as I like the solid axle, price and ease of install versus a Crown Vic Fab in!

 

Depends what you want out of your truck. If you want to lower your ride the crown Vic will drop it down 4-5" and give you disc brakes. But will also change your lug pattern and track width limiting your wheel/tire selections. Also that means you need to address your rear to match track width, lug pattern and lowering height. So that means a good bit of time money and fabrication. Where as the rack and pinion kit in the link will be simple and give you power steering and then you can get disc spindles and convert to disc brakes down the line. Less time, money and like no fab work needed. Hope this helps on your decision.

 

The rack and pinion still requires a new or extensively modified stock steering column to pull off.



Garbz

 

Would he have the steering column/box with a 1 piece shaft that gets pinned through on the inside of the steering box? I didn't think about that part. Yea that will be a challenge with the shaft mating to the rack setup. Wonder what the company with the rack n pinion has to say about it?

 

Thanks for the feedback, have lots o questions for the manufacturer! I will post what I find out.

 

Be sure to I'm curious as to there column mating solution and overall install advise.

 

Have you looked into Porterbuilt IFS?

 

Checked out No Limit; I may be out of the running as I have drop axle and their R&P system cannot be used. The No Limit system can be used with a stock column or after market except column shift. There is some fab work for the U-joint adaptor from the column to the Rack. Does not come with a pump. For the most part it is a bolt in Mod! $749 out of California.

Porterbuilt has a very interesting system currently seems only available for Chevy.

 

I've checked out a good bit of different steering/suspension systems for our trucks. I won't be doing any crown Vic or just a rack setup. I'm going all out custom on my truck. Already know what way I'm going just haven't selected the parts yet. I'm just curious on how all these other manufacturers go about doing the upgrade systems they offer. And adapting them into the trucks to make them work.

 

Porterbuilt is making front suspensions for straight axle trucks. Just started.

 

I emailed the guys at performance and they were very helpful this what he said I needed:
if you are using the stock column: 1. You will need the column saver with ujoint kit.
2. The "Y" block pump and bracket kit.
3. Rack and pinion hose kit.
4. Power rack and pinion kit.

I just have to save up and get the kit but after reading other companies have kits I will be doing more research! Haha thank you for all the input guy's keep it coming! !

 

Hey everyone dropped off the grid for a while;been crazy times here in AZ!
Decided to go with the CV front end swap!
Doing this very soon (2-3 weeks) will post pics and comments as we go...

 

Have you looked into a Jag IFS swap. It is steel so fab work is easier, and is narrower then the cv swap.

 

I did check out the Jag, found one local, guy wanted way too much. Looked at a Dodge Dakota as well. Picked up a CV for cheap; will be doing the 4link and coil overs in the rear this weekend not set in stone on the CV, for what I'm doing the width may not be an issue have some measuring and thinking to do...