47 -> 54 Cheeby / GMC PU R & P ?

47 -> 54 Cheeby / GMC Pick UP R & P ?

OK, How do you keep the existing front suspension and add rack and pinion steering? NOT MII.

Trying to update the front steering while keeping it simpler than a front clip etc. Hopefully cheaper too.

Any ideas and photos would be appreciated.

DFE

 

Rack and pinion on a straight axle is not a good way to go. Your steering shaft would have to telescope and be able to move in and out as the suspension moves.
Clark

 

There was a write up not long ago on a kit to put rack and pinion on the straight axle in one of these trucks. There was a thread on Stovebolt.com about it. I went on record there as thinking its a dumb idea.

Either you mount the rack on the axle, which means you have the problem Clark mentions, or you mount the rack on the frame. Mounting the rack on the frame means crazy bump steer problems.

My brother recently bought a project with a rack and pinion mounted on the straight axle. His first challenge is that the slip joint connection between the rack and the column had frozen and broken the column loose.

I think its a real bad idea.

There are better ways to improve your steering. There are a couple of approaches to converting to power steering. But unless you are running wider than stock tires just making sure the stock steering is in good shape will result in a pretty good steering system.

 

Clark and Steve,

Thank you very much for the wise insight. I was hoping for a really easy fix and find there is none.

Well, such is life.

Now will look at bolt in AMC Pacer clip upgrade if I can find a Pacer clip for reasonable price and nearby.

Thanks again.

DFE

 

why not go with the mustang 2?

 

pm'd you

 

there are kits availible to fit a later model power steering box to your truck from classicparts.com its pn. 76-977

 

have your checkbook handy.....

 

I had an article around somewhere, maybe from Stovebolt.com, about mounting a 73& up PS box onto the stock frame. I've got the box and all here but went the S10 route so I can't say as if it works or not.

An S10 might be cheaper than a Pacer and easier to find parts for. IMHO.

 

What exactly are your steering concerns? Many times loose feeling steering can be made nice with a simple rebuild. The MII while common is a pretty reliable and simple solution but for more than just steering. Alignment settings can also go real far as to ultimate feel and control. Also consider a sway bar. Using a worn out front clip and rebulding all of it seems like a bunch of work for very little $$$ saved.

 

I dont know why the hell anybody in their right mind would consider using a pacer front end.The pacer was a pos and the front end was probably the worst part of it.Just the opinion of an old front end man.also you had better have a fat check book when you try to buy parts to rebuild it.