Rack and Pinion Steering?
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 960
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From: Spring Texas
Rack and Pinion Steering?
I have been looking at the ads in all of the mags for these aftermarket front ends. I notice that nearly all of them have rack and pinion and some are offered either power or manual. Can you install one of the manual ones in our 53-56 trucks and will it give you a good driving experience? I seem to remember that this kind of front end required very little effort even without the PS pump and extras. Is this a good alternative to a power steering supplied chrysler front end? Ed
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,493
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From: Erie, pa
Ed
Are you thinking of using the manual rack with the original suspension?
If so, some things to consider.
1. You need a strong mounting bracket that will place the rack almost level with the tierod mounting points on the wheels.
2. You should have a panhard bar from the axel to the frame.
3. It must be rear steer.
4. It should be the widest rack that you can find.
I've been playing around with this on a 46 Coupe/Gasser project.
Are you thinking of using the manual rack with the original suspension?
If so, some things to consider.
1. You need a strong mounting bracket that will place the rack almost level with the tierod mounting points on the wheels.
2. You should have a panhard bar from the axel to the frame.
3. It must be rear steer.
4. It should be the widest rack that you can find.
I've been playing around with this on a 46 Coupe/Gasser project.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 960
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From: Spring Texas
No I was thinking about the heidt front end but in manual versus power. Actually I was wondering since I saw the ads what are they selling and if anyone had bought one of these front ends and had stuck with a manual steering ger box, Ed
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,493
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From: Erie, pa
Why would you want a panhard bar from the axle to the frame on a leaf spring suspension?
Ed
I have seen manual racks used with the MII and in fact if I decide to go with the Bolt-in design that is waht I will use. I won't hang a PS pump on a Flathead.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 960
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From: Spring Texas
Yes, that is what I am seeing and what I am thinking. I have not idea yet which way I am going to go but if that front end works good and gives an much better steering ability without PS then why bother with all of the plumbing. In fact why bother when it looks so good as a pretty much bolt in product.
I wonder if anyone here has mated a early 70's ford truck power steering setup and power brakes into a 50's truck. Now that seems like the logical way to go. Ed
I wonder if anyone here has mated a early 70's ford truck power steering setup and power brakes into a 50's truck. Now that seems like the logical way to go. Ed
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Spring Texas
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 960
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From: Spring Texas
Has anyone used the steering box or power steering parts out of a newer ford truck on one of ours. BTW I have done the searchs and found zilch. In fact that was what I was doing just now in all of the forums. Ed
New User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 6
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From: Malibu, CA
Ed-
I put a mustand II front ed on my 56 and a manual rack and pinion steering setup. It drives like a dream. Before this I had the straight axle but with a power steering box. Ya, I could steer it with one finger but at the expense of handling. It was really loose and unresponsive. With the rack and pinion it corners nicely (for a truck) and it is definately still easy on the arms. I can parallel park without dislocating my shoulder. I highly recommend it!
I put a mustand II front ed on my 56 and a manual rack and pinion steering setup. It drives like a dream. Before this I had the straight axle but with a power steering box. Ya, I could steer it with one finger but at the expense of handling. It was really loose and unresponsive. With the rack and pinion it corners nicely (for a truck) and it is definately still easy on the arms. I can parallel park without dislocating my shoulder. I highly recommend it!
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 960
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From: Spring Texas
Thanks Royal. I am still logging ideas but that seems to be one of the prettiest ideas so far. I like sports type handling but I do not like having to manhandle a darn steering wheel. Did you use a smaller steering wheel and a new column. Ed
New User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 6
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From: Malibu, CA
Ed,
No, I still have the stock wheel and column. I had you use a couple u-joints to get around my headers (which irritates me everytime I think about it) but it works all the same. In my experience some of those small aftermarket wheels look real pretty, but you don't get the same torque you would with a larger one. Good luck.
No, I still have the stock wheel and column. I had you use a couple u-joints to get around my headers (which irritates me everytime I think about it) but it works all the same. In my experience some of those small aftermarket wheels look real pretty, but you don't get the same torque you would with a larger one. Good luck.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Agua Dulce, So. Calif.
Originally posted by Fordication
Thanks Royal. I am still logging ideas but that seems to be one of the prettiest ideas so far. I like sports type handling but I do not like having to manhandle a darn steering wheel. Did you use a smaller steering wheel and a new column. Ed
Thanks Royal. I am still logging ideas but that seems to be one of the prettiest ideas so far. I like sports type handling but I do not like having to manhandle a darn steering wheel. Did you use a smaller steering wheel and a new column. Ed