**FOOSE P-32 Roadster >> Have you Studied the Steering??**

I was going through some photos and found some that I took of Chip Foose's P-32 Roadster. I am very intrigued by the dual drag link steering setup on the car. REALLY cool idea.

I searched some and it has been mentioned on here before... just thought I'd start a thread about it for some discussion.
Also, this is NOT about the nose on the car, since I understand quite a few people don't like it.


Photos.... some I took, some 'borrowed'...


























Any other photos of this setup would be great!


Malcolm

 

Very neat work.....never noticed it before.

 

Very cool. Would like to see photos of the entire steering mechanism. Anyone have them? Foose, you out there?

 

Hi Nick. There was a good article in street rodder back when he was building it. I seem to recall a sketch and explanation of the steering. Someone will probably beat me to it but I'll see if I can find the article.

 

Yes, SRM did a good write up about the steering.

 

Looks like a rack would work too, in place of the rod with slider blocks.

 

The more you look, the more you notice in detail, workmanship, and ingenuity. Not just because of it being a Foose build, but this is what is really interesting about looking at non-1-800 and owner built cars. IMO!!

 

And how about the routing of the brake hose? Out of the box there as well...

 

I read the article and the design is that when the shaft rotates it pulls the left side back on right turns and pushes the right side forward. The geometry has to be perfect for it to work but then again we're talking about Chip Foose. I don't care for some of his creations but he is the master of design for function.

 

Also notice in pictures #4 and #5, the TURN-LIMITER bolted to the crossmember, which angles upward to stop the cross-bar's left/right movement at full-limit......a very important part of the system. DD

 

i know i have the street rodder article, but can't seem to find it. i was blown away with it when i saw it. if you can tell me about what month/ year it was i'll scour my collection again. if i find it, i'll scan it it.

 

I have a 1953 Ford NAA/Jubilee tractor that is controlled by push/pull steering. In fact all the Ford tractors from 1939 through at least the late 50's use a push pull steering box. Perhaps the idea came from there.

The drag links on the tractors connect directly to arms hanging off the steering box, so no need for the linkage under the ch***is.

I've seen some pictures of an old dry lakes/salt flat car built using an 8N steering box/column mounted inside the car, but I think it was only running one drag link.

 

It should be a dual bellcrank system The center link doesn't twist but moves the p***enger side bell crank in sync with the drivers side unit that moved by the drag link or pitman arm.

Actually a fairly simple system when you take a good long look at it.

I like the way the spring perch is mounted in the bones too. It appears to be an original Ford style perch that goes through the bone and has a nut and cotter key on the out side. No suspect welded on piece of pipe serving as a spring perch there.

Lots of good ideas to borrow or use in your own designs on that car.

 

I like the shot with the link coming off the steering box, pedals, etc. I see oil mist and dirt on the frame, and it looks like a speed bump has kissed the oil pan at least once.

Looks like this car gets driven.

 

I love everything but the nose cone,but thats just me.

 

I can only find the first installment which is in the November 2005 issue....

 

Its different for as hotrod and if thats your bag go for it. Way to many working parts and bell cranks to be practical but for different and show points its a little marvel. I can only imagine the h***el to set toe or change the caster camber and have to spend the weekend adjusting it out so give me the simple plane Jane way since its proven on millions of street rods.

 

Is that not powder coating on all the parts?????

 

done and done. i'll check it out tonight.

 

http://www.streetrodderweb.com/features/0705sr_chip_foose_p32/index.html

 

Very interesting and neat set up. But i can't help get the feeling that it is one of those "I'll do it because I can" type of things. Definitely different as is the medium size garbage can on the front.

 

i like that the engine area is filthy. what do you know, old chip can build a real car. looks to be ready for the salt with that nose and all that swiss cheese!

 

Thanks, for the Street Rodder leads, guys! I don't have many in my collection and really need to subscribe.

If anyone wants to scan the referenced article and post it, that would be awesome!

 

We talked to Foose about it in Detroit the one year it was out there. One of the many incredible details that comes out of his shop. He's definitely one of the new masters

 

Have seen this car at local cruise in...its a very very well done car. Like the nose or not, the work is fantastic.

 

is that car painted or bare metal?

 

Bump. Does anyone have that Street Rodder article they could scan?
Thanks!

 

Nick, I took the same pictures about a month ago at a SEMA event to stare some more. Can't do any better. I think I have a good idea how it works, but would like to hear something more "official" myself.

And this brings me to the question of...
...What are you up to NOW, Nick???!

 

HA! I just realized I'm the one that took some of those photos about 5 years ago at the SEMA convention! I think I stared at that thing for an hour.

 

In operation, it's not much different than a typical drag-link steering set-up.

The link going backwards from the steering box to the driver's side bell-crank takes the place of a normal drag-link. The bell cranks take the place of the spindles and the steering arm that would normally be attached to the driver's side spindle. The horizontal tie-bar with the limiters takes the place of the tie-rod.

What's additional in this configuration are the two exposed links running from the bell cranks to the spindles.

It's a whole lot of monkey motion to make the steering set-up look clean and symmetrical....but it really is pretty simple when you get right down to it.

My opinion is that it's a neat idea from a guy that's full of neat ideas. Probably doesn't have any problems with bump steer!