47-55.1 Danforth Cross Member Install

[slammed57]

really never heard of them, but it does look pretty beefy and stout. let us know what you think. Do they have a web site?

[dwcsr]

Originally Posted by Coach529

That is good info to know. Do you have a resource that tells you the specs of the rack and pinion?

I am pulling parts from a 1995 Thunderbird (same as 1995 Mark Series) and have access to that rack.

According to Cardone the Tbird 22-203A travel is 5.3" and
Mark VIII #22-215 is 5.95" so it should get me lock to lock, I'm just about !/2" short of lock to lock now.

This is what I just ordered
1994 LINCOLN MARK VIII 4.6L V8 #22-215 48" oal 5.95" travel
FORD THUNDERBIRD (1989 - 1997)
LINCOLN MARK VIII (1994 - 1996)
MERCURY COUGAR (1989 - 1997)

This is what I currently have on it now.
FORD LTD (1984 - 1986) #22-203A 48" oal 5.3" travel
FORD MUSTANG (1985 - 1993)
FORD THUNDERBIRD (1984 - 1988)
LINCOLN CONTINENTAL (1985 - 1987)
LINCOLN MARK VII (1984 - 1992)
MERCURY CAPRI (1985 - 1986)
MERCURY COUGAR (1985 - 1988)
MERCURY MARQUIS (1985 - 1986)

I believe these all mount the same


this may also be helpful when connecting the hoses

http://my.cardone.com/techdocs/PT%2022-0007.pdf

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by dwcsr

According to Cardone the Tbird 22-203A travel is 5.3" and
Mark VIII #22-215 is 5.95" so it should get me lock to lock, I'm just about !/2" short of lock to lock now.

This is what I just ordered
1994 LINCOLN MARK VIII 4.6L V8 #22-215 48" oal 5.95" travel
FORD THUNDERBIRD (1989 - 1997)
LINCOLN MARK VIII (1994 - 1996)
MERCURY COUGAR (1989 - 1997)

This is what I currently have on it now.
FORD LTD (1984 - 1986) #22-203A 48" oal 5.3" travel
FORD MUSTANG (1985 - 1993)
FORD THUNDERBIRD (1984 - 1988)
LINCOLN CONTINENTAL (1985 - 1987)
LINCOLN MARK VII (1984 - 1992)
MERCURY CAPRI (1985 - 1986)
MERCURY COUGAR (1985 - 1988)
MERCURY MARQUIS (1985 - 1986)

I believe these all mount the same


this may also be helpful when connecting the hoses

http://my.cardone.com/techdocs/PT%2022-0007.pdf

Awesome......thanks for the info!!

[dwcsr]

1994 LINCOLN MARK VIII 4.6L V8 #22-215 48" oal 5.95" travel
FORD THUNDERBIRD (1989 - 1997)
LINCOLN MARK VIII (1994 - 1996)
MERCURY COUGAR (1989 - 1997)

It is exactly a 6" throw which gives me the 3/8 on each side that its short of hitting the stops. It is long so I think I need to either trim off some tie rod or change them to a shorter one or possibly use the ones off the Tbird if they fit.

I'll take some pictures tomorrow when it on and we test it out

[dwcsr]

We have it in and its a whole lot better steering than it was. It is about an 1/8" from the stops. We did have to use Tbrid inner tie rods EV117 and cut them about 3/4' on each end. The rod end were 7" long from a 93 corvette re-tapped to fit the tie rods. On a very tight turn it does scrub a bit but its only when its up against the stop. we do need to raise it 1.5".

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by dwcsr

We have it in and its a whole lot better steering than it was. It is about an 1/8" from the stops. We did have to use Tbrid inner tie rods EV117 and cut them about 3/4' on each end. The rod end were 7" long from a 93 corvette re-tapped to fit the tie rods. On a very tight turn it does scrub a bit but its only when its up against the stop. we do need to raise it 1.5".

Thanks a ton for the info. I plan on pulling the rack and pinion from the Thunderbird when I pull the IRS rear end.

The plan is coming together........

[Coach529]

OK, so I found a S-10 donor at a local scrap yard. Hope to head out there in the near future.

Any special tools required to remove the A arms and associated stuff?

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by dwcsr

We have it in and its a whole lot better steering than it was. It is about an 1/8" from the stops. We did have to use Tbrid inner tie rods EV117 and cut them about 3/4' on each end. The rod end were 7" long from a 93 corvette re-tapped to fit the tie rods. On a very tight turn it does scrub a bit but its only when its up against the stop. we do need to raise it 1.5".

I am still tinkering on my install and have taken a couple short trips around the neighborhood.

One thing I noticed is the steering radius sucks. I see you replaced the inner tie rod ends.

What was the reason for that?

Thanks!!

[dwcsr]

Originally Posted by Coach529

I am still tinkering on my install and have taken a couple short trips around the neighborhood.

One thing I noticed is the steering radius sucks. I see you replaced the inner tie rod ends.

What was the reason for that?

Thanks!!

The inner tie rods that came with the rack were to long. I was seriously concerned when I first drove it around the lot here, our turn radius sucked, it pushed on corners, it jerked on a tight corners like a 4X4 until we got the toe right and aligned and its now as good or better than the stock axle. The customer has about 3000 miles on it with no steering complaints after we went to the 3 turn rack.

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by dwcsr

The inner tie rods that came with the rack were to long. I was seriously concerned when I first drove it around the lot here, our turn radius sucked, it pushed on corners, it jerked on a tight corners like a 4X4 until we got the toe right and aligned and its now as good or better than the stock axle. The customer has about 3000 miles on it with no steering complaints after we went to the 3 turn rack.

What caster number did you end up with?

[dwcsr]

Originally Posted by Coach529

What caster number did you end up with?

It lined up at

left side
-0.1 degree camber <--- a little out of spec but not much
0.8 degree caster
.11 degree toe

right side
0.0 camber
1.4 caster
.11 toe

lined up as a 2003 S10 4x2

[Elder Rogue]

Originally Posted by Coach529

One thing I noticed is the steering radius sucks.

Hey Coach it's been a few months of driving with the new cross member.

What is your current opinion?

What would you do different?

Thanks,

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by Elder Rogue

Hey Coach it's been a few months of driving with the new cross member.

What is your current opinion?

What would you do different?

Thanks,

To be honest I have not given it a fair shake. I still have not had it aligned, other than some quick string lines at my shop.

It goes down the road straight, with no bump steer. Around town over 15 mph it seems great. It is the slow parking lot stuff that it bucks, pushes and the radius sucks.

I have about 500 miles on it at this point.



If I was to do it over I would not go this route. When issues arise Scott is pretty much worthless as far as support. Looking back I wish I would have gone with an Industrial Chassis Crossmember or a full Fatman set up. Live and learn I guess.

[Elder Rogue]

Thanks for the update.

I am still deciding what to do. I have the SD unit setting on the shop floor, but have not jumped on it yet.

I have thought about putting it up for sale and moving on to ether a MKII or just clipping the truck with a G-body clip.

[dwcsr]

Originally Posted by Coach529

To be honest I have not given it a fair shake. I still have not had it aligned, other than some quick string lines at my shop.

It goes down the road straight, with no bump steer. Around town over 15 mph it seems great. It is the slow parking lot stuff that it bucks, pushes and the radius sucks.

I have about 500 miles on it at this point.



If I was to do it over I would not go this route. When issues arise Scott is pretty much worthless as far as support. Looking back I wish I would have gone with an Industrial Chassis Crossmember or a full Fatman set up. Live and learn I guess.

I had those very same issues on the one we did and thought the same thing but when it was lined up correctly it was like night and day. No more pushing around tight corners and the radius was good.

[dwcsr]

One side note about the rack fittings. I had to turn the ends that go into the rack down a bit so they didn't bottom out and let the oring seat. I used a Borgeson gm pump to ford rack hose kit. It didn't take much only about .125 off. You could do the same with a little thicker washer than they gave me.

[dwcsr]

save the a frame bolts, There were hard to find new in the right size.

[Coach529]

Finally got around to spending some time in the junkyard and pulling parts from a donor.

2 hours and $30 later I have all the front suspension parts I need.

[Coach529]

Beyond excited about my score today. Bearings, Brake Pads, Ball Joints......Bushings all look great.

[dwcsr]

did you get all the bolts for the A frames?

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by dwcsr

did you get all the bolts for the A frames?

Yes for the lowers. I had to sacrifice the upper mount bolts.

[azcornman]

DWSR, I have installed a Tbird/Cougar rack on my 52 Burb with danforth member. Used large grade 8 bolts welded into the crossmember, can use flat washers to adjust in/out up/down. Notched the frame to have nice clearance for imput shaft. NOW I LEARN THERE IS A BETTER RACK!?! I haven't shortened the rods yet, going with Impala ends to mate to S10 2" drop spindles. Is the Lincoln going to slide right on with the same angle of input shaft? I can still exchange with the jy, they're good guys to work with that way.
Appreciate the info!

AZCORNMAN

[Coach529]

A couple other install pictures I found online.

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by azcornman

DWSR, I have installed a Tbird/Cougar rack on my 52 Burb with danforth member. Used large grade 8 bolts welded into the crossmember, can use flat washers to adjust in/out up/down. Notched the frame to have nice clearance for imput shaft. NOW I LEARN THERE IS A BETTER RACK!?! I haven't shortened the rods yet, going with Impala ends to mate to S10 2" drop spindles. Is the Lincoln going to slide right on with the same angle of input shaft? I can still exchange with the jy, they're good guys to work with that way.
Appreciate the info!

AZCORNMAN

Do you have any pictures of your install?

[Coach529]

Truck is being stripped down and going to FINALLY start this project.



Got all my air components ordered last night from Thor Bros.

Slam Specialties SS-7 bags
Dual Viair 444 compressors