Hot Rods '30 Ford Vega Steering Setup

Hi Guys,

I am "re-positioning" the Vega steering box on my '30 ford. The previous owner mounted it at an angle so the steering column mounted directly to it causing the pitman arm to hang at a downward angle? Anyway I have remounted it forward where it should be for cross steering and now need to add an extension from the box to the steering column. The Vega box and coupler that is on the steering column is 5/8" 36 spline. I only found one supplier with a shaft extension this size. I then read on Borgesen (sp?) site that they don't even sell 5/8" stuff because it is so weak compared to the 3/4" stuff.

So at this point do I just buy the 5/8" extension and take my life in my hands, or buy new 3/4" couplers and shaft and redo everything? Keep in mind the input shaft on the Vega box is still 5/8".

Is it worth worrying about?

Dust

 

do you feel lucky?

 

Use a 5/8" 36 spline to DD 3/4" u-joint on the box, use whatever length of 3/4" shaft you need, and a DD 3/4" to DD 3/4" u-joint to attach that shaft to your steering column. Done.

 

Definitely do not feel lucky,

Thank you gentlemen for the quick reply. I was under the su****ion that Borgeson was just up selling but I will take your advice and redo it all. One has to wonder why the Vega input shaft is 5/8" to begin with?

******, your work on the '54 is something I hope to aspire too. Beautiful!

 

I always use 3/4" shaft for steering. Then you have nothing to question. Make sure you drill little divots for the u-joint set screws on your steering shafts for some extra insurance.

Thank you very much, I appreciate that.

 

Hey guys. I'm currently building a 30 Ford Model A sedan with a 351W and 9 inch rearend and have been reading these forums for information on my own build. I also just bought a vega steering box to use for my 4 inch drop axle front end set up for 4 bar and just came across this part. I've helped other buddy's on their builds and they don't like the bump steer ***ociated with the vega cross steer set up. I wish I would of found this part before I bought the vega steering box but that's the way it goes. Has anyone seen or used a part like this that speedway has to offer?
1928-32 Ford Cross-Steer Rack and Pinion
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/1928-32-Ford-Cross-Steer-Rack-and-Pinion,2033.html

 

A 525 steering box has a 3/4" input, but the longer input may not suit your installation. Also it is 24 to 1, which some find a little slow, Borgeson makes a short shaft 525 that is about $320, and the 525 uses the same mounting pattern as the Vega.

 

So now theres a big safety issue with 5/8th input shafts!?!? On a 2500 # car?
Pehaps Borgeson considers (and promotes) 5/8th as too weak because they DON'T sell it!
MY opinion...and I'm not an Engineer or anything...is that you need to stop for a sec and consider just how much abuse you are putting into your steering links if you are twisting off the INPUT!
It's gear reduction inside the box so your steering inputs are amplified thru the box to the pitman arm.
The input shouldn't ever see a load of stress...unless you don't know how to drive with a non-power box or like to turn past the steering stops.
If you had an 18" wheel and arms like Conan the barbarian (along with his brain) then I'm sure you can damage something.
But you're gonna have to put some effort into it.
BTW...Corvair boxes have a 5/8th input and they have been a Hot Rod staple for years...as has the Vega box.

 

If they have bumpsteer with a cross steer setup they simply don't know what they are doing...and by the way...in such a case that R&P you linked won't help because the issue is in the geometry...not the choice of box.

Go do an intro now that you are posting. Helps us get to know you better....

 

The SoCal catalog, Pete and Jakes, along with some others, show how to set up the cross steering setup so that it works correctly. A basic understanding of geometry and physics helps a lot - people can set up the best parts so that they don't work right by neglecting the basics.

 

Yup, no steering set-up is going to work correctly if it's not set up correctly.

 

The coupe has a 525 box with a long shaft. Column is a 84 Chevy van. It fell in place using the collapsible link from the van. Been happy with It for 20 yrs.