Porterbuilt steering rack notches
 

Any pics of how much clearance there should be between the boots on the rack and the notches? I followed the notch install instructions, but it seems like notches are too far back towards the crossmember.
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Re: Porterbuilt steering rack notches
 

Same here not much help but thats how mine turned out :smoke:

Re: Porterbuilt steering rack notches
 

Post up some pics please.

The rack notch center line is located 4.25" forward of the front most mounting hole on the dropmember's main crossmember assembly (where it bolts to the bottom of the frame). The instructions have some good pics for reference as well. Let's see what ya got so we can help you get it figured out.

Nate

Re: Porterbuilt steering rack notches
 

Nate, I followed the instructions per step 3 on your instruction thread. The pictures you provide appear to be on a different frame than mine. I have a 63-66 frame, but the frame shown in your pics looks like it might be later(?). Regardless, I used the measurements provided to make my cuts. The rubber boots on the steering rack are different sizes from left to right. The right (passenger side) boot rubbed the notch when I did an initial test fit and the left boot barely cleared. I re-checked my measurements and I was within 1/8" of your recommended measurements, but the interference between the boot and the notch was more on the order of 1/2". Even if the rack boot was perfectly centered within the notch it would still be a very tight fit. I came up with my own fix, but it cost me some time making it work. I'm not complaining in any way, your products are awesome. I just wanted to see if I messed something up and if so, others can be aware.

This photo shows how close the rack boot is without the notch in place. With the notch in place it would obviously interfere with the steering rack boot.
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...C-10/photo.jpg

What I ended up doing was cutting the frame hole bigger, front to back, and enlarging the notch pieces. They're stretched approximately 3/4", front to back. Now the larger boot clears with ample room. Not sure what the issue was. Like I stated before, my measurement may have been off by 1/8" due to slop in my measuring tape, but shouldn't have thrown things this far off.

Here's a photo of the modified notch with the larger boot to show the clearance I gained.
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...-10/photo2.jpg

Re: Porterbuilt steering rack notches
 

What measurement are you showing for dimension "X"?

Re: Porterbuilt steering rack notches
 

Nate, I'm assuming you want that measurement with the dropmember/rack in place. I won't be able to get that measurement for a couple days since the frame is at my friend's house. The distance between the center-line of the front crossmember hole on the frame and the center-line of the frame cut-out was 4-1/4", +/-1/8". Thanks for taking the time to look into this, I really appreciate your superior customer service!

Re: Porterbuilt steering rack notches
 

No worries.

I know it's a pretty tight fit to begin with... also, it appears that you made your notch cuts perpindicular to the frame rail itself (see pic below). This will compound the tight fit due to the fact that the rails pinch in at the front and the notch is no longer parallel with the rack. Add in the descripency of 1/8" or so and it will make it even tighter. Either way, I will be changing up the notch, making it a bit wider to add a little more "fudge factor" into it. Thanks for your feedback, we appreciate it. We are always open to feedback. :)

Re: Porterbuilt steering rack notches
 

Nate, you are correct on the angularity of the cut, but when the notches were test fit with the rack they were parallel to the dropmember and the rack. (see photos 2 & 3 below). Even with cuts being slightly perpendicular on the bottom of the frame rail, that shouldn't affect the interference shown in the red circle below.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...hoto2_edit.jpg

Photo 2: Notch parallel with dropmember and rack (this is after modifying my notch)
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...-10/photo2.jpg

Photo 3: Notch parallel with dropmember and rack (this is after modifying my notch)
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...-10/photo1.jpg

Re: Porterbuilt steering rack notches
 

Nate, for dimension "X" I'm getting about 4.5". It looks more like 4-7/16" in the pic, but I think it's the camera angle.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2.../Racknotch.jpg

Re: Porterbuilt steering rack notches
 

Thanks for the pics and feedback. We are going to make that notch a little bit wider to help give some extra wiggle room.

Nate

Re: Porterbuilt steering rack notches
 

So will mine have the wider steering rack notches then ? :D
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Re: Porterbuilt steering rack notches
 

I guess that depends on when you order(ed) it. :)

Re: Porterbuilt steering rack notches
 

I had you call me on Friday at the end of your day to order it and a few other things ;)
It was the front dropmember, gas assist hood hinges, and the steering linkage :D
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Re: Porterbuilt steering rack notches
 

We just welded in out steering notch's today and have the same problem !!!!
As per instructions welded in the notch 4.25" from centre line of front bolt to centreline of notch.
Bolted the drop member with rack in and it's to close to the notch.
Pulled back out and double checked the distance and its correct.
So is this a common problem?

Re: Porterbuilt steering rack notches
 

I just did mine a week ago. They fit fine per the instructions. We did it on two trucks.
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Re: Porterbuilt steering rack notches
 

Gary we received your message and will be getting back to you this morning. Or maybe it's afternoon down under? ;)

Nate