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02-02-2009, 01:14 AM | #1 |
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Mountain View, Alberta, Canada
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rack & pinion steering for 80 1/2 ton?
I have done some searching and have not found any conversion kits for a 1980 chevy 1/2 ton frame.
Does anybody make one? Any help would be appreciated. 56hotrodred |
02-02-2009, 02:11 AM | #2 |
Cheyenne Super
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Dallas Texas
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Re: rack & pinion steering for 80 1/2 ton?
Why do you need that?
I've never herd of such a convertion. You will be the first. You might do it with a Mustang II clip. |
02-02-2009, 02:27 AM | #3 |
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Re: rack & pinion steering for 80 1/2 ton?
I am mostly exploring options right now. I am putting a 56 chevy step side short box big back window on an 80 1/2 ton frame. The current steering box is a bit of a pain to work around - although not at all impossible - just close.
I saw rack and pinion conversions for the older frames but I guess they really need it. I think I would be happy with the power steering on the 80 once I tighten up the suspension. But as said really just exploring options right now. 56hotrodred |
02-02-2009, 03:17 AM | #4 |
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Re: rack & pinion steering for 80 1/2 ton?
call fatman they build mustang 2 front ends for this chassis
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02-02-2009, 07:22 AM | #5 |
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Re: rack & pinion steering for 80 1/2 ton?
I seen some sema coverage in a couple of magazines and they showed a new kit from flaming river for 68-87 chevy trucks.
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02-02-2009, 07:23 AM | #6 |
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Re: rack & pinion steering for 80 1/2 ton?
You need a Porterbilt Dropmemeber!
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02-02-2009, 10:07 AM | #7 | |
One day...
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Re: rack & pinion steering for 80 1/2 ton?
Quote:
Here it is..http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=320237 Last edited by scotts62; 02-02-2009 at 10:19 AM. |
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02-02-2009, 12:28 PM | #8 |
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Re: rack & pinion steering for 80 1/2 ton?
Checked out your build and really like what you have done. I am going a slightly different route more of a resto-mod with 327, turbo 400 hot rod but what you have done is exceptional. I am going to seriously look at buying a used rack & pinion system and all hoses. It looks like new stuff is going to costs near a couple of thousand by the time its all said and done. I am not going for show & shine stuff much more of a driver!!!
Do you have any suggestion for the ultimate donor system to mount on my 1980 frame. I am hoping to change the front end of the 327 to a serpentine belt system with all new accessories. I would need to plumb into that I guess. Thanks much. 56hotrodred |
02-02-2009, 03:35 PM | #9 |
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Re: rack & pinion steering for 80 1/2 ton?
There is no complete donor system that I know of. You can look on the suspension section of the forum to find the different crossmembers that are available. Porterbuilt, Sucide doors, Fatman Fabrications...
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02-02-2009, 09:11 PM | #10 |
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Re: rack & pinion steering for 80 1/2 ton?
Moved to suspension for more input.
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02-02-2009, 10:35 PM | #11 |
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Re: rack & pinion steering for 80 1/2 ton?
a porterbuilt dropmember would be an option if you are trying to lay out and change to a mustang rack and pinion and is cheaper than many of the other weld in options out there.
Last edited by edflores; 02-02-2009 at 11:12 PM. |
02-03-2009, 12:13 AM | #12 |
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Re: rack & pinion steering for 80 1/2 ton?
I just spent the last 2 hours or more reading the post in suspension forum re: porterbuilt dropmember.
All I can say is wow! I really am not too concerned about laying my truck on the ground but have thought about bagging all four. I was also wanting to keep my 15 inch 5 bolt rims and that does not appear possible. I did get a quick email back from Flaming River - thanks guys - and they figure to be offering a kit in 10 weeks that is a bolt on, includes a tilt steering wheel column and everything needed to install, except the hoses for a cost of $2,979.00. Not too sure about the application fitting into my 56 cab that is sitting on the 80 frame. I think I heard that they use a 30 or 32 inch steering column in the 56 cab so I guess I could ask. I am in no rush on this as money is a little tight right now. Will be watching this closely. Thanks 56hotrodred |
02-03-2009, 01:26 AM | #13 |
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Re: rack & pinion steering for 80 1/2 ton?
you can keep your 15's and not run drop spindles. that will keep cost down and if you make a tall enough lower cup, you will be off the ground a little for safety.. manual rack will too.
Last edited by edflores; 02-03-2009 at 01:27 AM. |
02-03-2009, 01:28 AM | #14 |
Texas Big Wig
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Location: Mineola, Texas
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Re: rack & pinion steering for 80 1/2 ton?
I see no reason that you cant run your 15s with a Drop Member
You just may not wanna run 3" drop spindles |
02-03-2009, 02:27 AM | #15 |
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Re: rack & pinion steering for 80 1/2 ton?
I was wondering about not using the drop spindles in combination with the drop member. As said I may want to bag down the road but am not interested in laying it on the ground.
I want a sporstcar/truck-like ride with the rack and pinion steering - probably power assist - large diameter sway bar up front and something like Air Rides Airbar 4link in the rear. Last time I looked the Airbar was about $1,700.00 for a bolt in system that requires a C-notch. That does not seem to bad for what you are getting - pretty much everything! You guys are great. Thank you very much again. 56hotrodred |
02-03-2009, 02:47 AM | #16 |
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Re: rack & pinion steering for 80 1/2 ton?
sports car and truck like ride are at 2 different ends of the spectrum. whats wrong with your stock 56 chassis? i would put a camaro clip instead of a truck frame IMO. that way you get all the aftermarket goodies that go along with it.
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02-03-2009, 03:01 AM | #17 |
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Re: rack & pinion steering for 80 1/2 ton?
Ya I know but it will be like a sports-truck if I set it up right. The stock 56 chassis is a little bent up although it is probably fixable. I got the 80 frame for a good price, already stripped down, and like what it gives me on its own which is relatively minor fabrication required to put the body on, power brakes & steering, A-frames, etc... Those aftermarket goodies of which you speak are pretty expensive and welding on a camaro clip is way beyond my level of expertise.
I may have to re-think some of the mods like rack and pinion unless the Flaming River one comes complete. For nearly $3,000.00 that would have to be a complete front end for that kind of money. I could live without the rack and pinion I guess! I was hoping for a simple bolt on rack and pinion steering system. 56hotrodred Last edited by 56hotrodred; 02-03-2009 at 03:04 AM. |
02-03-2009, 10:03 AM | #18 |
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Re: rack & pinion steering for 80 1/2 ton?
you really need to sit back and think about what you are after... if it were me, I would not even think about bothering to go with a R & P if you are keeping the factory chassis / crossmember. Frankly, other than the factory box being a little slower there is nothing wrong with the OE steering at all. You can get a replacement box from CPP to quicken the steering and fix that.
If you are looking at building a wicked sportruck. You really need to sit back and decypher what mods are going to really improve the trucks handling. You cant forget that the 63-87 trucks and the 88-98 CK trucks actually have failry good supension geometry under them. To improve on that you will either be looking at a complete chassis or do a front crossmember with IMPROVED geometry. To get improved Geometry over what you have you need to look at something that is going to convert you to Corvette C-4 or newer in the front. If someone tells you to do a Camaro or Chevelle front clip, you just need to shoot them where they stand. Then you can put a rack on it. That way you know the crossmember / rack are engineered with the correct geometry to compensate for bumpsteer and Ackerman. The other bonus to going with a crossmember set up that way is that you can also install coil overs on it... or Shockwaves ... same set up, no mods... just bolt in and go. |
02-03-2009, 12:27 PM | #19 |
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Re: rack & pinion steering for 80 1/2 ton?
Ah the voice of reason.
You are right I really need to sit back and think about this. I did not even think about a replacement steering box. Would it quicken the response just because it is new or does it have a different ratio(s). There is no way I am going to even think about clipping the 80 frame - maybe if I had stayed with the 56. I would like to go with your Air Ride system all around (i.e. front - Strong Arm & rear-Airbar ABAR11013) at some point to help the ride though. That may not happen for a while as getting the truck running is more important right now. Thank you very much. 56hotrodred |
02-03-2009, 02:08 PM | #20 |
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Re: rack & pinion steering for 80 1/2 ton?
the turn ratio is quicker.
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02-03-2009, 02:12 PM | #21 |
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Re: rack & pinion steering for 80 1/2 ton?
I wonder if the actual steering box is any smaller. Surely they would build it to be a simple bolt on application.
I am going to look into this option. 56hotrodred |
02-03-2009, 08:09 PM | #22 |
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Re: rack & pinion steering for 80 1/2 ton?
One other imortant consideration would be trac-width. If you are looking for a lowered stance on your tri-five, a C10 platform will be too wide.
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02-03-2009, 11:16 PM | #23 |
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Re: rack & pinion steering for 80 1/2 ton?
Yes that is a consideration but I have the body sitting on the frame now and it appears that by playing with rim/tire offset I could mitigate that - unless I wanted to go real low which I don't.
thanks 56hotrodred |
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