I'm running a Fat Man front end which uses a late model Ford rack and a Ididit column in my 57 Chev pick up. The u-joints I got for the column are both solid. Now that I have them ($78 each) I'm thinking I should have gotten one with the anit-vibration rubber or a slip joint style. If both ends are rigid and the frame/body interface moves a little won't it bind up? The frame is completely boxed but the cab will be on some rubber. Thanks.
Had the Mustang II rack on my 42 for around 16 years now and never had a problem with binding or vibration. Just make sure the joints are in "phase" and it will be fine. Movement or flex in the body to frame should not be a problem, unless you plan on going 4 wheeling over some rocks and getting everything all twisted..
There is usually a little bit of flex in the floor and the dashboard to allow a slight amount of movement between the body and frame. I haven't had any problems with setups like that myself. With the u-joints out of there, you could try grabbing the steering wheel with both hands and pulling and pushing on it. If you can budge it 1/8" or so by flexing the dash and firewall sheetmetal, then that should be enough flex I think to take up any movement in the rubber body mount bushings. Sometimes the steering shaft up through the column has a little bit of play too which will help. Unless the rubber body mounts are totally shot, they're usually pretty tight.
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