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Hot Rods Steering Box Question

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Mike Colemire, Mar 29, 2024.

  1. Mike Colemire
    Joined: May 18, 2013
    Posts: 1,431

    Mike Colemire
    Member

    Putting a straight axle under my 57 chevy, I have a 69 camaro manual box. There is not room to mount the box for rear steer like it is in the camaro and switching the pitman arm to point back.puts the box at the front shackle. I can space it out from the frame so I can remove the shackle but it would be nice if the box was reversed. How much trouble is this? I've rebuilt them but never reversed one.
     
  2. blue 49
    Joined: Dec 24, 2006
    Posts: 2,080

    blue 49
    Member
    from Iowa

    steering box.JPG
    I had the same situation. I spaced mine out. You can see the top bolt standoff and the gusseted , 3/8" bracket the box mounts to. The bottom bolt is short and only goes through the bracket. The back bolt goes through the bracket and a standoff that passes all the way through the frame. This is on my Henry J with a Vega box.

    Gary
     
    rusty1 likes this.
  3. bill gruendeman
    Joined: Jun 18, 2019
    Posts: 937

    bill gruendeman
    Member

    My off topic gto (front steer) and firebird (rear steer) use the same steering box (same casting number), you might try a box off an A body.
     
  4. 1971BB427
    Joined: Mar 6, 2010
    Posts: 9,678

    1971BB427
    Member
    from Oregon

    I try to go front side on all my solid front axle installations, and I just reverse the arms to point back. I've done as mentioned and simply space the box off the frame whatever amount it takes to make it fit.
    Since I sleeve the frame using heavy wall pipe for through bolts I just make those sleeves long enough to space the boxes. Makes a very solid mounting point, and the steering joints don't change angle much to space the box out a little.
     
    2Blue2 and Nailhead Jason like this.
  5. Mike Colemire
    Joined: May 18, 2013
    Posts: 1,431

    Mike Colemire
    Member

    My tie rod or steering rod is in the rear and set up for the best ackerman. The one going to the box will be in the front since there isn't enough room in the rear. I can shorten the column and still wouldn't have room. I'll have 1 bolt through the frame, ill weld a tube in and the other 2 though the plate. I guess I'll space it out and gusset the 1/4 in plate. Thanks everybody for the help.
     
  6. 1971BB427
    Joined: Mar 6, 2010
    Posts: 9,678

    1971BB427
    Member
    from Oregon

    Which side the box is on has no effect on Ackerman angles. The tierod is still behind the axle, and drag link doesn't come into play with Ackerman angles.
     
    seb fontana likes this.
  7. Mike Colemire
    Joined: May 18, 2013
    Posts: 1,431

    Mike Colemire
    Member

    Didn't say it did, my tie rod is behind the crossmember. If I run a string through the center of the king pins across the tie rod bolt, center, on each side they point directly at the center of the pinion. Don't think I explained it to well the 1st time.
     

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