rack and pinion - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

will scratch · 04-01-2010, 03:05 PM

I'm wanting to get information and pics on how to do rack and pinion steering setup. Would like to go with manual to do away with the pump. How bout you guys that have done it give us some pros and cons, work involved, parts required, etc. My goal would be focused mostly on the weight savings off the front, so is it worth doing and what are the real benifts. Thanks.

79 Blazer 2wd; flip kit drop spindles and springs.

djracer · 04-01-2010, 10:38 PM

I have a mustang II fatman fabrication bolt in kit. It has a manual rack. It saves a ton of weight.

midevil1 · 04-01-2010, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by will scratch

I'm wanting to get information and pics on how to do rack and pinion steering setup. Would like to go with manual to do away with the pump. How bout you guys that have done it give us some pros and cons, work involved, parts required, etc. My goal would be focused mostly on the weight savings off the front, so is it worth doing and what are the real benifts. Thanks.

79 Blazer 2wd; flip kit drop spindles and springs.

I made my own with a 79 to 93 foxbody manual rack. UPR bump stop tie rod's and extenders. I used 1/8th" plate for gusset's and 1 1/2" pipe clamps for mounts. You have to cutoff the original mounts for it to fit to the crossmember. Truck steers like a dream and the amount of rotations on the wheel are atleast half of original. Was quite simple to do and might've taken 8 hours total to finish. I have one pic and will take somemore of the finished product. It was worth it a 100 times over......

68GMCCustom · 04-01-2010, 11:27 PM

any change on the turning circle?

Wild83C10 · 04-02-2010, 08:15 AM

You can stick with a power rack, just buy an aluminum rack.

midevil1 · 04-02-2010, 09:13 AM

Turning radius is better than stock.

C20-67_N_MO · 04-02-2010, 03:25 PM

Anyone have a link from a vendor for one of these kits?

Would love to have this on my truck!!

midevil1 · 04-02-2010, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C20-67_N_MO

Anyone have a link from a vendor for one of these kits?

Would love to have this on my truck!!

Custom Classic Trucks and Classic Trucks have tons of AD'S for vendors with these types of kits. Fatman Fabrication is one of the better known vendors.

I perfer to make everything myself. Thats just me. My truck is one loooooong conversation piece. If you have the ability and the means to do it yourself. It is not that bad of a project. I bet I have less than a 1/4 the cost of one of the aftermarket kits in my steering and eveything is stainless or billet.

will scratch · 04-03-2010, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by midevil1

Custom Classic Trucks and Classic Trucks have tons of AD'S for vendors with these types of kits. Fatman Fabrication is one of the better known vendors.

I perfer to make everything myself. Thats just me. My truck is one loooooong conversation piece. If you have the ability and the means to do it yourself. It is not that bad of a project. I bet I have less than a 1/4 the cost of one of the aftermarket kits in my steering and eveything is stainless or billet.

found this

http://www.customclassictrucks.com/t.../photo_28.html

Interesting cross member here, some fatman stuff. but i sure like the idea of pipe clamps and a manual rack (1/4 cost) would like to see more. what did you use from rack to spindle couldn't tell from your pic.
thanks all for the feed back.

midevil1 · 04-03-2010, 11:55 PM

I used these spherical tie rod ends from UPR and their bumpsteer kit.

Brakes are from a 72 Impala SS and I crossdrilled them for shorter stopping distances.

team39763 · 04-04-2010, 12:47 PM

Midevil1, could you show us another pic of how you mounted the rack? I'm seriously considering this as my next mod for weight reduction.

69trk · 04-04-2010, 06:17 PM

I'm also very interested...

midevil1 · 04-04-2010, 10:22 PM

Got a local member coming by to take pics for the same thing. I will get as many pics as I can to post on here.

I really need to start a build thread, HUH? Most of my build pics are stuck on my crashed laptop, otherwise I would show you guys all my homemade parts......

C20-67_N_MO · 04-06-2010, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by midevil1

Custom Classic Trucks and Classic Trucks have tons of AD'S for vendors with these types of kits. Fatman Fabrication is one of the better known vendors.

You have any links to these guys?

And if I had the parts list I would gladly piece it together myself!

68GMCCustom · 06-30-2010, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by midevil1

Got a local member coming by to take pics for the same thing. I will get as many pics as I can to post on here.

I really need to start a build thread, HUH? Most of my build pics are stuck on my crashed laptop, otherwise I would show you guys all my homemade parts......

any updates on the pics of the rack and pinion setup? I am planning on doing this... rather then rebuild the OEM complete steering system.

djracer · 06-30-2010, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by midevil1

Got a local member coming by to take pics for the same thing. I will get as many pics as I can to post on here.

I really need to start a build thread, HUH? Most of my build pics are stuck on my crashed laptop, otherwise I would show you guys all my homemade parts......

You can buy a cheap usb reader for your old laptop hard drive so you can get your stuff off it if the drive itself isn't bad.

midevil1 · 06-30-2010, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djracer

You can buy a cheap usb reader for your old laptop hard drive so you can get your stuff off it if the drive itself isn't bad.

Power supply is bad. SORRY guys I forgot about this thread all together. Taking it to get all the info retrieved. Let me see what I have for pics on this laptop.....

midevil1 · 06-30-2010, 10:51 PM

I added lower gussets to the bottom of the u-bolts, but dont have any pics of the final product. I Used a crome-moly oil pump driveshaft out of a SBF for the side to side bracing. I will get somemore....

1Bad62Pro/Street · 07-01-2010, 04:56 AM

Mine...'62

C20-67_N_MO · 07-01-2010, 11:36 AM

I sooo want a Rack and pinion setup.

If I do the conversation, what parts should I look for in the junk yard or pick-n-pull yards to piece this system together?

Thanks guys!

midevil1 · 07-01-2010, 03:50 PM

No need to go to the junkyard. You can get everything new for relatively cheap. Foxbody mustang manual or power rack can be had at any local parts house. Tierods and extensions can be bought from UPR products or ebay. Supplies to build Mounts can be bought from local stores.

68GMCCustom · 07-01-2010, 06:16 PM

I was wondering....would it be possible to use the original mounts on the rack by welding some like 1-1.25" heavy wall DOM tubing to the OEM crossmember...with grade8 bolts straight thru the rack mount into the tubes with a lockwasher and a nut on the inside of the crossmember. Would be as strong as the original rack mount?

and I've heard of using a t-bird rack over the Mustangs....whats the size difference?

C20-67_N_MO · 07-01-2010, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by midevil1

No need to go to the junkyard. You can get everything new for relatively cheap. Foxbody mustang manual or power rack can be had at any local parts house. Tierods and extensions can be bought from UPR products or ebay. Supplies to build Mounts can be bought from local stores.

Any idea what year to ask the parts store for one of these racks?

And what about Tierod ends and extensions? From what vehicle would they fit the 1967-72 Chevy Trucks?

Thanks.

midevil1 · 07-01-2010, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68GMCCustom

I was wondering....would it be possible to use the original mounts on the rack by welding some like 1-1.25" heavy wall DOM tubing to the OEM crossmember...with grade8 bolts straight thru the rack mount into the tubes with a lockwasher and a nut on the inside of the crossmember. Would be as strong as the original rack mount?

and I've heard of using a t-bird rack over the Mustangs....whats the size difference?

You will have to channel the stock crossmember to use the original mounts. It will stick out to far and too low to fit to the spindle mounts. The way I did it came from the way that the Prostock cars mount theirs to the crossmembers. I took a 1.5 tube and smacked it with a hammer in my mounts and it didnt budge.

T-birds are the same rack up to 1988. They were then changed to the sn-95 chassis. The rack is wider on the 89 and up T-birds. Factory didnt offer a manual rack, so aftermarket is where you would have to get one. $$$$$

68GMCCustom · 07-01-2010, 09:56 PM

my truck will be an occasional cruiser and I'll drive it to the track...so I'll be going with a power rack.

04-01-2010, 03:05 PM	#1
will scratch Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: wichita kansas Posts: 22	rack and pinion I'm wanting to get information and pics on how to do rack and pinion steering setup. Would like to go with manual to do away with the pump. How bout you guys that have done it give us some pros and cons, work involved, parts required, etc. My goal would be focused mostly on the weight savings off the front, so is it worth doing and what are the real benifts. Thanks. 79 Blazer 2wd; flip kit drop spindles and springs.

04-01-2010, 10:38 PM	#2
djracer Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Wetumpka, Al, U.S. Posts: 8,891	Re: rack and pinion I have a mustang II fatman fabrication bolt in kit. It has a manual rack. It saves a ton of weight. __________________ Kevin Special Thanks to All who have helped on the TRUCK! My Pass Time Show http://s129.photobucket.com/albums/p...Chapter1-0.mp4 So Far my best Times are: Motor only: 6.44 1/8 @ 104.13 10.39 1/4 @ 125.83 Nitrous Times: 5.785 1/8 @ 118.65 with a 1.336 60ft 9.168 1/4 @ 142.58 with a 250 shot dead out of the hole!

04-01-2010, 11:27 PM	#4
68GMCCustom Truck and auto performance nut Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: McKinney,Texas Posts: 3,848	Re: rack and pinion any change on the turning circle? __________________ Kurt - '68 GMC short step - NIB '09 LY6 6.0L crate motor w/mods, NIB '12 crate 4L85e w/billet 3k stall Circle D, 3.73 posi 12 bolt, DynaTech f-swap headers, 3/4 drop, handling mods, etc. - my toy '72 Chevy LWB C-10 Highlander - 350/350 ps/pb/tilt/ac - not original but close '06 Chevy TrailBlazerSS - LS2/4L70e - little black hot rod SUV - my DD '18 Kia Sorento - wife's econo-driver '95 Chevy S10 - reg cab shortbed, LS, 4.3, auto... my '68's powertrain and chassis build -links broken A surprise phase - carb to efi -links broken

04-02-2010, 08:15 AM	#5
Wild83C10 Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: NJ Posts: 910	Re: rack and pinion You can stick with a power rack, just buy an aluminum rack. __________________ 83 C10 Stepside (SOLD, it was a blast!) 383 MASS-FLO EFI/TKO II 600/3.90 Posi 10 bolt S475 and C4 DM running, fine tuning turbo= Douchebag Racing: Runs Fine all the Time

04-02-2010, 09:13 AM	#6
midevil1 ShortBus KingPin Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: houston texas Posts: 146	Re: rack and pinion Turning radius is better than stock. __________________ 67 shortstep prosteet. 505 BBC, FULL BILLET TH350, Owner built EVERYTHING.... (My RIDE) 2008 GMC Yukon DENALI, 425 AWHP, 5700LBS, 12.40's at 109mph. (Her RIDE) 2006 Kawasaki Brute Force, 916cc, 80 shot, 6.20's at 111 mph. (Her RIDE)

04-02-2010, 03:25 PM	#7
C20-67_N_MO Champagne Taste on Beer Budget Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: High Ridge, Missouri Posts: 2,190	Re: rack and pinion Anyone have a link from a vendor for one of these kits? Would love to have this on my truck!! __________________ Coming Soon: Project 1970 Country Truck

04-03-2010, 11:55 PM	#10
midevil1 ShortBus KingPin Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: houston texas Posts: 146	Re: rack and pinion I used these spherical tie rod ends from UPR and their bumpsteer kit. Brakes are from a 72 Impala SS and I crossdrilled them for shorter stopping distances. Attached Images __________________ 67 shortstep prosteet. 505 BBC, FULL BILLET TH350, Owner built EVERYTHING.... (My RIDE) 2008 GMC Yukon DENALI, 425 AWHP, 5700LBS, 12.40's at 109mph. (Her RIDE) 2006 Kawasaki Brute Force, 916cc, 80 shot, 6.20's at 111 mph. (Her RIDE)

04-04-2010, 12:47 PM	#11
team39763 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 469	Re: rack and pinion Midevil1, could you show us another pic of how you mounted the rack? I'm seriously considering this as my next mod for weight reduction. __________________ 1982 Silverado - SBE, cleaned up GM heads, small cam, TH350, 850 Demon, 4.56 gears, and caltracs. Best time so far 11.8@XXXMPH

04-04-2010, 06:17 PM	#12
69trk Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: bridgecreek ok. Posts: 1,214	Re: rack and pinion I'm also very interested... __________________ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=494388 431 big block times, changed to a 6.0 ls with turbo 1.58- 60' 7.18- 1/8th mile@95.18 11.37- 1/4 @115.81

04-04-2010, 10:22 PM	#13
midevil1 ShortBus KingPin Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: houston texas Posts: 146	Re: rack and pinion Got a local member coming by to take pics for the same thing. I will get as many pics as I can to post on here. I really need to start a build thread, HUH? Most of my build pics are stuck on my crashed laptop, otherwise I would show you guys all my homemade parts...... __________________ 67 shortstep prosteet. 505 BBC, FULL BILLET TH350, Owner built EVERYTHING.... (My RIDE) 2008 GMC Yukon DENALI, 425 AWHP, 5700LBS, 12.40's at 109mph. (Her RIDE) 2006 Kawasaki Brute Force, 916cc, 80 shot, 6.20's at 111 mph. (Her RIDE) Last edited by midevil1; 04-04-2010 at 10:23 PM.

06-30-2010, 10:51 PM	#18
midevil1 ShortBus KingPin Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: houston texas Posts: 146	Re: rack and pinion I added lower gussets to the bottom of the u-bolts, but dont have any pics of the final product. I Used a crome-moly oil pump driveshaft out of a SBF for the side to side bracing. I will get somemore.... Attached Images __________________ 67 shortstep prosteet. 505 BBC, FULL BILLET TH350, Owner built EVERYTHING.... (My RIDE) 2008 GMC Yukon DENALI, 425 AWHP, 5700LBS, 12.40's at 109mph. (Her RIDE) 2006 Kawasaki Brute Force, 916cc, 80 shot, 6.20's at 111 mph. (Her RIDE) Last edited by midevil1; 06-30-2010 at 10:55 PM.

07-01-2010, 04:56 AM	#19
1Bad62Pro/Street "Where were you in '62?" Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Cleveland County, North Cackalacky Posts: 5,013	Re: rack and pinion Mine...'62 __________________ PROJECT: "FULL METAL YELLOW JACKET" 1962 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed Nostalgia Pro/Street Pickup Truck PROJECT: "FULL METAL YELLOW JACKET Build Thread What Are You Workin' On? - 1Bad62ChevyPickup PROJECT: "TYRANNORAMBLER REX" 1969 AMC Rambler American Nostalgia Pro/Street Youtube Channel: Father Son Projects Youtube Channel: 2TIMOTHY2FITHTEEN "North and South Carolina Folks Click Here!" (((( ~ I have Parts For Sale & Miscellaneous Stuff ~ )))) "Well being as there's no other place around the place, I reckon this must be the place, I reckon...Nyuk Nyuk Nyuk" -Curly Howard Ph.D.

07-01-2010, 11:36 AM	#20
C20-67_N_MO Champagne Taste on Beer Budget Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: High Ridge, Missouri Posts: 2,190	Re: rack and pinion I sooo want a Rack and pinion setup. If I do the conversation, what parts should I look for in the junk yard or pick-n-pull yards to piece this system together? Thanks guys! __________________ Coming Soon: Project 1970 Country Truck

07-01-2010, 03:50 PM	#21
midevil1 ShortBus KingPin Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: houston texas Posts: 146	Re: rack and pinion No need to go to the junkyard. You can get everything new for relatively cheap. Foxbody mustang manual or power rack can be had at any local parts house. Tierods and extensions can be bought from UPR products or ebay. Supplies to build Mounts can be bought from local stores. __________________ 67 shortstep prosteet. 505 BBC, FULL BILLET TH350, Owner built EVERYTHING.... (My RIDE) 2008 GMC Yukon DENALI, 425 AWHP, 5700LBS, 12.40's at 109mph. (Her RIDE) 2006 Kawasaki Brute Force, 916cc, 80 shot, 6.20's at 111 mph. (Her RIDE)

07-01-2010, 06:16 PM	#22
68GMCCustom Truck and auto performance nut Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: McKinney,Texas Posts: 3,848	Re: rack and pinion I was wondering....would it be possible to use the original mounts on the rack by welding some like 1-1.25" heavy wall DOM tubing to the OEM crossmember...with grade8 bolts straight thru the rack mount into the tubes with a lockwasher and a nut on the inside of the crossmember. Would be as strong as the original rack mount? and I've heard of using a t-bird rack over the Mustangs....whats the size difference? __________________ Kurt - '68 GMC short step - NIB '09 LY6 6.0L crate motor w/mods, NIB '12 crate 4L85e w/billet 3k stall Circle D, 3.73 posi 12 bolt, DynaTech f-swap headers, 3/4 drop, handling mods, etc. - my toy '72 Chevy LWB C-10 Highlander - 350/350 ps/pb/tilt/ac - not original but close '06 Chevy TrailBlazerSS - LS2/4L70e - little black hot rod SUV - my DD '18 Kia Sorento - wife's econo-driver '95 Chevy S10 - reg cab shortbed, LS, 4.3, auto... my '68's powertrain and chassis build -links broken A surprise phase - carb to efi -links broken



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07-01-2010, 09:56 PM	#25
68GMCCustom Truck and auto performance nut Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: McKinney,Texas Posts: 3,848	Re: rack and pinion my truck will be an occasional cruiser and I'll drive it to the track...so I'll be going with a power rack. __________________ Kurt - '68 GMC short step - NIB '09 LY6 6.0L crate motor w/mods, NIB '12 crate 4L85e w/billet 3k stall Circle D, 3.73 posi 12 bolt, DynaTech f-swap headers, 3/4 drop, handling mods, etc. - my toy '72 Chevy LWB C-10 Highlander - 350/350 ps/pb/tilt/ac - not original but close '06 Chevy TrailBlazerSS - LS2/4L70e - little black hot rod SUV - my DD '18 Kia Sorento - wife's econo-driver '95 Chevy S10 - reg cab shortbed, LS, 4.3, auto... my '68's powertrain and chassis build -links broken A surprise phase - carb to efi -links broken

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