As I stated before, I'm building a 56 ford custom line gasser. I removed the entire front end out of a 65 Econoline van. Seems that I read somewhere about switching the steering arm over to the passenger side and converting to a cross steer setup. I've searched here and several other sites for some sort of write up or pics explaining the how and why with no luck at all. Any help, advice, or pics would be appreciated to figure out the steering on this car. From what I understand I should be able to use my original 56 steering box right? Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
I believe you can use your original steering box and arm if: 1. You use the Econoline cross link reversed: That is, attach it from your steering box arm across to the right hand spindle arm. That would place the off-center 'eye' (tapered hole in cross link) toward the passenger side of the vehicle. 2) Now attach the original 'right hand steering rod' from the tapered hole in the cross link to the drivers side spindle arm. 3) Measure for full turning travel, and that you will have sufficient thread adjustment for straight ahead (1/8" toe in, from tire tread centers) As long as the centerlines for all are reasonably level, the steering geometry should be good. If, however, they are not, other measures can be taken: 4) The tie rod can be fabricated from Chrome Moly tubing, and an International Harvester combination tie rod end inserted to a shortened version of the tie rod...about 5", if memory serves. The Internat'l piece is a longer shanked item, with a tapered hole added right near the passenger end. This is where you will measure to your steering arm, and make another length of Chrome Moly tube, tapped accordingly for each tie rod end. If you go this way, one end right hand thread and the other left (for 'rolling adjustment') is only necessary at the drag link, as the tie rod can't be adjusted in this manner with everything hooked up. You then adjust toe-in by one end of the tie rod, the drivers side.
So the steering arm (half circle piece) is on the drivers side of my van but needs to be on the passenger side of the car. Can I just spin the axle around or actually pull the arm out of the spindle and put it in the other one? Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Ask for some picture very nice engineering and fab: https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/comet-falcon-strait-axle-info-for-autoslim.198513/
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