I'm involved in a low slung Model A roadster p/u project. Double kick frame, low but still pretty streetable, we want run to run cowl steering. Whats the hot set up? We're aware of all the usual options, from sprint car to Divco milk truck to extending a pitman arm, but what have you guys found that works well and is reasonably available/affordable? Thanks BILL RINALDI
A lot depends on what you call "readily available" and "affordable". I make, what I and about 12 buyers so far, think is a pretty neat piece out of a Tri-Five Chevy Saginaw gear. I reverse it, trim (and turn) all the superflous mounting tabs off, make up anew threaded plug/steering shaft support, and make a new pitman arm. I don't have any in stock but, given a good core, I can turn one around in about two weeks. P.M. me an email address and I'll send some pictures.
here is reversed Corvair steering box with special built extension to special built Pitman arm on our Bonneville car. The steering has passed SCTA tech at 2010, 2011 Speed Week and the car went 166 mph. I'll see, if I can find pics of the steering box as mounted under the cowl.
Check out mid 60's mopar boxes. Kinda big, but move in the right direction and are aluminum. Nice thread on how to install one here, try search for it.
I used a mopar box in mine. Aluminum and it works great. Get the pitman arm with it so you can cut down the box end and put it in a 2" dom tube. I cut a flange for the other and and there you have it.
I used the same box for mine, reversed it, but kept and used the cast in foot mounts. It all depends on your spacing/location.(so far) I am happy with mine.
I used this Holden steering box. It's a '68-'70 box. Nice long sector shaft that doesn't need extending. It did need to be reversed but that's not hard. I'd be surprised if there isn't an equivalent GM box out of a local US car Pete
I used a box from a BMW, a '70s 2002. It worked grart for me, quick & simple. Found all the info right here on the good ol' HAMB.
Early Volvo's used a box that is almost the same as the BMW one. They are made by ZF. Here is a picture of the one I used in my T roadster.
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=316272&highlight=mopar+steering+box has some options later jim
bmw steering box model 2002 cowl steering is the way to go... unless you have access to a lathe and machine shop equipment. The salvage yards out here are full of them. They came in 1969-to 1976 bmw models 1600 1800 2002's and probably more!
Why do i see so many fabbed pitman arms on cowl steering? Why dont more people use a real pitman arm?
I have a very simple way to do it cheaply, come on guys you have to be creative. I have some model A box main shafts and pitman arms, turn the shaft round back past the square part and press it into a shaft and weld. Here is an old A box, remove the shaft and use an A pitman arm, or tear apart another junk vintage box. The two arms and chunks of shaft are old but a guy could use the same pieces out of something newer with a standard tie rod end.
Maybe we have differing interpretations of the terminology. When you don't have splines on the outboard end of the extension for an OEM arm, the most popular solution seems to be to weld a circular flange with a bolt pattern on it, and make a "fabbed" arm out of plate with an identical pattern. The bolt pattern allows some adjustment in the indexing of the arm without the need for splines. Bob .
I love the Mopar setup. I do mine a little different. You can check out the process on my Sport coupe build thread.... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=641469&highlight=sport+coupe+sort+of Looks like a Schroder, only $1,500 cheaper!
i used a 60' -70"s f150 2wd box . no pitman extension needed and easy to "reverse", go to killbillet an look for a guy named "fodsrods" he has a killer write-up on the subject!
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