Unisteer?

I’ve read all the pros and cons of the Unisteer setup. I have a flaming river box with about 2-3K miles and lot of wandering at slow speeds. Highway speeds ok. Tried to adjust box but wasn’t much play in adjustment. Just wondering if anyone has some pics or dimensions. Some posts say horizontal shaft pokes outside drivers frame rail when turning and can hit the hairpins or 4 bars limiting turning radius. Also looks like Unisteer is mounted forward on their bracket. Does that make up for distance of the pitman arm on Vega box? Or is drag link going to be on an angle- will angled drag link affect steering? Angled front to back? Not parallel up-down. Everything is set up nice and parallel with my Vega box and company says it’s basically a drop in unit but Leary about dropping cash with no dimensions given. Any advice or photos appreciated Thanks in advance

 

I'm gonna replace the main boot on a Unisteer equipped '32 here sometime soon. I gal I know inherited it when her husband passed, so I've been doing some work on it. It's a nicely done car, (wishbone/dropped axle front) and I can get some photos, but it'll be several days. I don't have any other experience with 'em as of yet.

 

Why not just get a good Vega style box from Borgeson? Direct bolt in, and will outlast the Chinese knockoffs.

 

And check the rest of the steering , including the axle, & also the alignment .

 

@Towtruckjoe
Are you New to car ?
My opinion flaming River products are not that great.
If new to car , Flex in steering components,
Kingpins ,
Box not 0 out @ installation & going straight.
Wheel off set , tire pressure .
Whats the caster , maybe needs more Caster

How far away & angle of is the
Cross-steer from steer arm ,

I install keeping Cross steer to steer arm
Like about 2 1/2 inch going straight .

 

When I built my Roadster, I used the Chrome Vega box from Flaming River but soon started experiencing the same issues as the OP. Not a tight box (insert pun here). I pulled it off and installed a Borgeson box and it made all the difference in the world. The only issue I had was the pitman arm (also chrome) was not fully engaging the splines as the nut was making contact with the shoulder on the shaft too soon so there was a bit of play. I machined a thick washer to push the pitman arm up the splines fully when the nut is torqued. Car handles great now.

 

I was going to say, unisteer is hideous looking on a car without fenders. IMO. If it has fenders, I hear they are good handling but never drove one so I can't offer an experienced opinion.

 

Did unisteer on a 36 Ford sedan. It drove great.

 

@Mike Lawless , when I replaced the outside boot on my unisteer I struggled.

Un-installed the Unisteer so I could work on the work bench. Using four hands, two to hold rack and two for getting the boot in the groove, done in ten minutes.

 

@Towtruckjoe , I like my Unisteer just fine. Over 60k miles.
But I agree the Borgeson Vega box might be an easier fix.

 

Thanks. I'll keep that in mind.

 

I'm a unisteer fan but there are many reasons mentioned that might be causing your problem.

 

I've run a Unisteer since they released them for sale. I had paid $500 for a new high-end Vega box (not Flaming River) and it was just "meh", so while at the Nationals and the new Unisteer box was revealed, I was intrigued by the sales pitch and installed it as soon as I got back home. After my first drive, I was hooked and it's been one of the best changes I've ever made to my '34...and I gave away the almost new high dollar Vega box to a buddy in need. Zero regrets with my experience.

There are lots of complaints about limited turning radius compared the the Vega, but it's never been a problem in my opinion. With a 383 stroker and ZF6-speed transmission, I cruise between 82-92mph down the freeway and only need 2 fingers to hold the wheel while changing lanes.

As for the boot replacement, I too had to perform that exercise and speaking from experience...I think it was caused by not having the gear exactly in the middle and it strained the boot when going full lock. My Tudor has a 4-bar setup and Unisteer has never come in contact to the suspension.

 

Just got done replacing the boot on this '32 Roadster. It was fairly easy. Did not have to remove the rack. Plenty of room to work.
I think if I was gonna do a steering rack on something like this of mine, I'd seriously consider a unisteer. I think it would work on Ol' Furd too if I was of a mind.
I did notice the lack of a jam nut for the shaft that connects to the box. I think that threaded section musta been welded or jammed to the bottom of the threads. I couldn't get it unscrewed without boogering the chrome any more than it already was. Outer tie rod end has a jam nut. It was loose. I went through all the steering and suspension bolts to make sure everything was tight and safe.

 

I had a pal that worked at the Chevy dealership and told me there was a brand new Vega box on the shelf in the parts department, I bought it, dust and all and it's still on my 32 sedan,never any problem. HRP

 

Does any one make a unisteer for 49/50/51 fords?

 

I don't think so, but you could call:
https://www.unisteer.com/