what steering box are you using ?

I am building a 1933 Dodge 4 door sedan. I want to run the steering through the side of the cowl. I like the look and the function of it. The car is going to be down low and I cant see any other way of doing it. So my question is what gear boxes are you using and how well do they work ? If you have any pics they would be a big help.
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Someone has to want to show off their steering, I needs some more ideas as well! I know in the tech-o-matic there's one on using a landcruiser box, but what else has been done?

jonp

 

I think I remember seeing here awhile ago someone using a manual steering box off a Mopar A body (Duster/Dart/Demon, etc.)

Jay

 

Any one else out there have any ideas ?

 

uh i dont know if it would work because mine isnt cowl steering but mine is of of a 60s dodge truck

 

mail jeep...there backasswards so they work good.

 

Search cowl steering. Youll get more than a nites reading. Mine is a reversed 68 holden box. Nice long sector and aluminium casing.

Pete

 

After talking to a very knowlegeable hotrod builder in my area i have decided against cowl steering...... if you are using a traditional solid front axle the geometry is way off. The result is often horrible bumpsteer, and if you plan on driving on the freeway forget about it..... I agree that cowl steering looks bad ass, but I want to haul ass on the freeway.

 

I thought you got bumpsteer if your draglink was too short.
Cowl steering setups usually have long draglinks.
Or is that wrong?

 

Heres a link to mine I did a while back. Hope it helps a little
Dan
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=73389&highlight=cowl+steering+dodgerodder

 

Series 2 Land Rover box.

 

Used a Profile box out of an older sprint car because i'm running a T-5 and there just isn't a helluva lot of room for pedals in a channeled '29.....The ratio is a little quick but shortening the pitman arm helps.....Oh, and this is before i had the box shortened by about 6".....It also now has a removable steering wheel....Great security feature........

 

I'll run this Mopar box and mount it off to the side against the cowl skin. No need to lengthen it. It will have a double U-jointed shaft from the steering wheel over to the box.

Note added : This is for the modified T-bucket.

 

Not true....if done properly.

 

Eddie.....are you going to use the power assist ?

 

About what year Mopar is this piece from? Nice looking, almost a shame to hide it...

Thanks

 

Vega box with cross throw steering. A total bitch when running a chev small block. The drivers side motor mount, the drivers side exhaust manifold, and the vega box all want to be in the same God damned place at the same time----BUT---it can be done, and it gives the sweetest of all steering systems. Absolutely no bump steer, stable at low or high speed, and very responsive. Have used it on 3 rods now, and all my buddies with cars using a drag link to the drivers side spindle can't believe how great mine works.

 

I'm not sure. It turns the correct way for cowl steering and it's aluminum so it suits my needs.

 

No.....The thing is now on the road and works fine

 

Just about any column will work with a Vega cross-steer set-up, as the column and shaft only have to come thru the firewall about 2". Then it is a matter of 3/4" shafting and universal joints to get from the end of the column shaft to the input shaft on the steering box. I used an Ididit tilt column this time around, but only because this current rod is probably my last one, and I have the money to spend. I like the built in signal light controls and the tilt feature. However, any column that has a steering wheel, a center shaft, and an outer housing with 2 bearings to support the inner shaft will work---even an original madel A steering column. The steering column from mid seventies GM vans with floor shift was very popular, because it had the built in turn signal controls and no shifter attached to the column.

 

Schroder sprint box. I shortened the pitman arm by about 5 inches, (the one they send is ablout 13 inches). It works really well. Highway is actually better than in town. Around town the steering feels pretty heavy. Mine has a tiny tiny bumpsteer if you hit a really big pothole, but it drives great.

 

Thanks, Eddie. I'm using a profile power steering box in my street-legal sprint car (14 : 1 ratio) and I just plan on looping the hoses and using it as a manual gear.

Some folks say that won't work....I didn't believe them.

 

I picked up a BMW2002 box off ebay... It's got a really long steering shaft extension and should work perfectly in my 33 dodge (coinidence huh)... I've seen a few folks use them before and been told they work pretty neat.

Btw - cowl steering should not result in bump steer if done correctly. The whole point of it is to get the draglink level when the car is super low...

 

try the 2002 BMW unit...

just noticed that i duplicated...

just remember to heat and bend the arms of the spindles so that they make a nice center line to the center of the rear axle.

 

I have a 1961 impala steering box. I haven't put it in my truck yet but the case is all aluminium which is really nice.

 

Johnny Fast's steering box is the A body one I mentioned above. I know there the same from 70-74 for sure, maybe even earlier. I have a couple of them in the garage, that's why I was interested in it.

Jay

 

Thanks, SixGunner.

I bought mine on eBay and forgot what the hell it was.

 

No problem. For those with really deep pocket$, Flaming River makes them new in a quicker ratio, but cast iron.

I'd like to see pix of your setup when it's in the car JF... I've got the itch for a modifed too.

Jay