Steering Question
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Joined: Dec 2005
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Steering Question
Hey guys,
I gotta 1955 f100 with a 75-79 cordoba front suspension setup on it. My steering sucks and I was woundering if you can put a rack and pinion style set-up on it. Any ideas send them my way thanks. It has a chrysler steering box. My problem is the angle for the steering shaft to the box is so steep that its almost 90o, which is a bit dangerous. Also the guy I got it from kinda rigged the steering by keeping the power steering box, but not hooking a pump up to it. I am goin to get the 2in drop spindels from fatman fab for it, but i really need to fix this steering. BTW anyone using those drop spindles??
Thanks,
Eddie
smoke_eater@sbcglobal.net
I gotta 1955 f100 with a 75-79 cordoba front suspension setup on it. My steering sucks and I was woundering if you can put a rack and pinion style set-up on it. Any ideas send them my way thanks. It has a chrysler steering box. My problem is the angle for the steering shaft to the box is so steep that its almost 90o, which is a bit dangerous. Also the guy I got it from kinda rigged the steering by keeping the power steering box, but not hooking a pump up to it. I am goin to get the 2in drop spindels from fatman fab for it, but i really need to fix this steering. BTW anyone using those drop spindles??
Thanks,
Eddie
smoke_eater@sbcglobal.net
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,244
Likes: 1
I assume you have one flexible joint in the entire column to box connection? Can you break into two to enable you to lessen the angle at each connection?
Running a power steering box with no power has got to be giving you VERY stiff steering....What engine is in this truck?
I don't personally know anyone running the dropped spindles but I've heard good things about them as opposed to the modified arms...
Running a power steering box with no power has got to be giving you VERY stiff steering....What engine is in this truck?
I don't personally know anyone running the dropped spindles but I've heard good things about them as opposed to the modified arms...
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,734
Likes: 2
From: Kansas City area
I didn't even know that drop spindles were available for the Chrysler IFS. Don't really know why you would need them with the adjustability of the torsion bar suspension. I assume you are using u-joints to connect the steering. On my 56, with Volare IFS and power steering box I didn't have any problem making the connection from the box to the column. Perhaps your column is setup too vertical? Post some pics if you can as this will help everyone comment on a decent "fix". John Niolon on this forum did replace a Chrysler IFS with a Mustang II IFS but only because he need more room for his big block Ford engine. Look in the tech articles under "suspension alternatives".
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,497
Likes: 5
From: Tucson AZ
I do believe that Gibbon Fiberglass used this front susp in some street rod applications with a rack & pinion. Hopefully you can contact them, I have heard a rumor that the co is in tbl although I have no personal knowledge of that. I have always thought that a r/p would be a blessed event next to the Volare box. Good luck and welcome to the forum ff56 
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,243
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From: Michigan
You really need to fix the angle of your column and get the power steering pump installed. I think in one of the current truck mags there is a truck with a volare and a r/p steering but of coarse they don't show that.
I will put some pictures in my gallery of my steering column (flaming river tilt) installed in my 56 with a volare frt susp.
Edit
The pictures are now there.
I will put some pictures in my gallery of my steering column (flaming river tilt) installed in my 56 with a volare frt susp.
Edit
The pictures are now there.
Last edited by merc546; Dec 1, 2005 at 02:58 PM.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
Note that the Volare and Cordoba IFS are two totally different systems that only have the manufacturer and the fact the both use torsion bars in common (tho the Volare uses cross bars and the Cordoba longitudinal ones) IMHO almost any IFS CAN work R&P steering, the location of the rack and the pivots in the arms must be carefully engineered tho or you could end up with horrible bump steer issues and strange steering/handling. It's not a bolt it on and go mod, but not impossible either.
Last edited by AXracer; Dec 1, 2005 at 03:01 PM.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,622
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From: okla
A company by the name of Weedeter[www.weedeter.com] makes a rack conversion for Volare suspension. Gibbon did make the kit for Cordoba in F100's. I believe the steering placement and sector are the same. I have a set of the dropped spindles, just not installed yet. Reasoning was to allow a low stance with plenty of room between bump stops. Got a chance to see LEckarts' 56 this fall at Ottawa, nice truck. Joe
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Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2002
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Joe G & Leckart! Yah Buggers! You were up here in Ottawa and you didn't swing by for a beer?! I'm only 20 miles west of Ottawa (Ontario)........ 
Wish I'd heard about Weedeater a year or so ago....ah, probably outa my price range....
It wasn't really Gibbons per se, but he operates under Gibbons name. Semantics I guess....
So Smoke - what's the story on your steering column? Is it at a really strange angle? And I gotta believe that operating a power steering box without power has got to chew up the box sooner or later....
Wish I'd heard about Weedeater a year or so ago....ah, probably outa my price range....
It wasn't really Gibbons per se, but he operates under Gibbons name. Semantics I guess....
So Smoke - what's the story on your steering column? Is it at a really strange angle? And I gotta believe that operating a power steering box without power has got to chew up the box sooner or later....
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,497
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From: Tucson AZ
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 299
Likes: 2
From: Marryville, Tennessee
Not to knock your steering/suspension system, because I almost went with the Volare front end. Instead I am opting to stay stock. I'm getting a new/rebuilt steering box, drop spindles with a disc brake conversion and power assist steering.A heck of alot cheaper and easier to adapt (no cutting welding and etc.) I'm also going to change out the bushings for "nylon" .... cuts out the front end squeak. My Dad's 56' has this exact set up and it rides and steer's like a dream and no front end squeak!
Good Luck
Mason
Good Luck
Mason
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
www.gibbonfiberglass.com
Homepage says the domain is for sale, but the catalog links still work. They say use "Rack and pinions from 1981-83 Dodge Aries, Plymouth reliant,
Dodge passenger car"
Update: Gibbon Fiberglass closed up 1/20/05
Homepage says the domain is for sale, but the catalog links still work. They say use "Rack and pinions from 1981-83 Dodge Aries, Plymouth reliant,
Dodge passenger car"
Update: Gibbon Fiberglass closed up 1/20/05
Last edited by AXracer; Dec 2, 2005 at 12:13 AM.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,622
Likes: 3
From: okla
Nope, it is Weedeter. Don't know why the site won't come up. Dale Caulfield sent me pics of his set up not long ago. I'll research it. It really was Gibbon Fiberglass that sold the Cordoba kit. RMF, Ottawa, Kansas. Joe
