Can Anybody give Me info on Which 'Rack and Pinion' Assem. would be the Right Choice for My 50' Chevy,3/4 ton Long Bed.. Can go either way;Manual,or Power Steering.. just need advice on Where to Start gettin the "Right Rack Assem" Thanks,in advance for Any and All Your INFO that You can Share with Me.. JimmyBonz
It it awkward to put a steering box on a solid axle, both U-joints must flex with every bump on the road making room for linkage to flex complicated. Of course, if you are going IFS that would be different.
There is a new series 4 Saginaw type steering box on the market that might fit your type truck. Look on E-bay. Has multiple gold colored flathead bolts that allow box rotation to fit application. Don’t know of anyone who has used one yet, though.
Ed
'37 GMC T-18 w/ DD 4-53T, RTO-610, 6231 aux., '95 GMC running gear, full disc brakes, power steering, 22.5 wheels and tires. '47 GMC 1 ton w/ 302, NP-540, 4wd, full width Blazer front axle. '54 GMC 630 w/ 503 gasser, 5 speed, ex fire truck, shortened WB 4', install 8' bed. '55 GMC 370 w/270, 420 4 speed, grain, dump bed truck from ND. Works OK.
At one time I looked into R&P steering. I had several conversations with rod shops in California. There are/was kits available. You don't want a rack made for a small car (too responsive) but rather mid-size (Thunderbird etc,) and up. I had a lot of questions but when I mentioned liability, a rod shop owner told me not to call him back and hung up.
I couldn't get past these two concerns:
1.) These kits use a telescopic shaft that is supposed to move in & out and up & down with the motion of the straight axle. The shaft must be free inside to move at all times. If it jams just a little bit, your steering can be compromised.
2.) Good steering and brakes are a must have. If you alter the original Chevrolet design (especially steering) and are in an accident, your insurance company can refuse coverage. You can be sued. To cover yourself, you need kits that have been proven to work without causing problems. They need to be installed by a professional who is familiar with the kit.
Today most new generation owners want the whole front suspension updated. When someone just needs power steering, they go with "old School" kit with the Saginaw gear box. These reputable kits are still available and will have a new pitman arm to minimize the effect of bumpsteer.
"Adding CFM to a truck will only help at engine speeds you don't want to use." "I found there was nothing to gain beyond 400 CFM."
Even with the Saginaw box offset to the left front of the frame, there's such oddball geometry between the Pitman arm and the steering knuckle on the driver's side front spindle that the whole mess looks pretty spooky. The ideal way to use that box would be to mount it above the frame rail with the Pitman arm hanging straight down, but then the steering would work backwards- - - -turn the steering wheel left to go right. I'm working on a spur gearbox to correct that situation, one that would be bracketed to the frame just aft of the steering gear. If my idea works, the forward-mounted gearbox would duplicate the action of the original box, with the drag link pointing forward instead of back. Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
