Technical Banger Cross Steer Question

Im in the process of building a 31 Model A Banger with. 4” drop.

Will a Vega cross steer steering box fit?

I'm running a boxed stock frame and stock oil pan.

thanks,
Brett

 

Probably depends on how your engine is mounted (height) and how low your axle is (flat spring). I’m thinking about if the drag link will contact the front of the pan. Can you borrow a box and hold it in place?

 

It will probably hit the oil pan... though I admit I've never tried beyond hypothetical.

 

What is the advantage to a Vega box compared to an early fifties Ford truck box?

Charlie Stephens

 

A recirculating ball system will provide a smoother and easier to turn feel than the rotating sector can.

 

It may be false economy buying junk yard parts to put in a high performance car.
These cars go relatively fast and as such when they stop suddenly the driver usually goes kaput.
It may be cheaper in the long run to buy a new or warranty reconditioned race car power steering. They will fit absolutely ANY home built car.
When you consider the alternative of looking up at the lid of a pine box against paying off a small bank loan, which sounds better?

 

Wellllll, that got weird quickly. LOL

The trouble of fitting a Vega box wouldn't be worth it to me, I'd simply use a 2-tooth Model A box and rebuild it with a stock wheel and shortened pitman arm. Did that on a '30 coupe and it steered very nice. The Vega box needs a lot of mods to make it work. Not taking clearance into consideration, there are multiple u-joints and linkage to fab as well as the column to sort out.

 

But a stock box isn’t as traditional as a 70s Vega box.
Sorry. Had to.
D

 

This is just my opinion but If I were to do anything other than stock I would go with a rack and pinion. They are available relatively inexpensively and I have seen it done, it looks good to me at least. If I do another build that’s the route I’m going to take. I realize that that isn’t an answer to your actual question but I thought I would throw it in

 

Do it right use an aluminum Corvair box - not one of those modern Vega ones. I've got one set aside in the garage just for a Speedster build.
https://shopcaliforniacustomroadsters.com/collections/steering/corvair-box

 

No real reason to do away with side steer; F-100 boxes work good and probably not out of line with the cost of a quality Vega box and stuff needed to install it