rack & pinion steering for 80 1/2 ton?

[56hotrodred]

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

[heavychevy79]

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.

[56hotrodred]

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

[Robertw]

call fatman they build mustang 2 front ends for this chassis

[Conundrum]

I seen some sema coverage in a couple of magazines and they showed a new kit from flaming river for 68-87 chevy trucks.

[D13]

You need a Porterbilt Dropmemeber!

[scotts62]

Originally Posted by 56hotrodred

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

It can be done and has been done before. Im working on mine now but havent got the mounts finished up yet. Make the mounts and set it up right to the stock crossmember, make sure the rack arms are the same angle as your lower control arm for no bumpsteer, probably have to notch the frame so the rack wont hit. Ill try and find you a fellow board members link.
Here it is..http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=320237

[56hotrodred]

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

[silvereagle07]

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...

[N2TRUX]

Moved to suspension for more input.

[edflores]

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.

[56hotrodred]

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

[edflores]

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.

[Spray-Bomb]

I see no reason that you cant run your 15s with a Drop Member
You just may not wanna run 3" drop spindles

[56hotrodred]

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

[edflores]

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.

[56hotrodred]

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

[Tony@AirRideTech]

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.

[56hotrodred]

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

[Tony@AirRideTech]

the turn ratio is quicker.

[56hotrodred]

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

[PBFAB.COM]

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.

[56hotrodred]

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