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I have a 1958 Ford Truck and am going to put rack and pinion steering
in it. Does anyone know if there are any particular models that will hook up easy.
Well, just look around for a vehicle that is close to the same width. I don't think you will find anybody who has done this before. Probably, if you have enough room between the oil pan and the axle, the real sticky point is going to be the steering wheel shaft. It's going to have to have u-joints AND be able to expand and contract in length as the axle moves up and down. I suppose a splined shaft would be in order, but it's going to take alot of head scratching.
Thank You For your help. I anticipated the problem with the
steering but am surprised that no one has done this before.
I notice all kinds of ads with mustang fronts with rack &
pinion on them. What are they doing or do you think I will
have severe problems.
You have to remember the must II suspension was designed from the factory with rack and pinion steering. And like I said before, the must II rack and pinion is mounted stationary on the crossmember that is welded to the frame. Plus most kits are front steer, meaning the rack and the spindle arms are out front. Your design will have the rack and pinion unit mounted to the axle, so the whole unit is going to be bouncing up and down with the suspension, and it will be mounted in the rear, unless you have something else cooked up.
There have been earlier posts about this subject a while back. The rack and pinion system was designed to be used with independent suspension, not a straight axle. If you want R&P so bad, I'd change out the front axle to independent suspension. I go along with the earlier answer about the steering shaft. You're asking for trouble with all those steering shaft pieces moving up and down constantly. The straight axle has up and down movement as well as side to side motion. I'd go for power steering before I'd change over to R&P.