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» Northern California Ford Owners     » Automotive   » Tech Talk   » How can I convert my 67 Mustang to rack&pinion steering, without spending a fortune?

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Author Topic: How can I convert my 67 Mustang to rack&pinion steering, without spending a fortune?
BCINGUU
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Shopping around for rack-and-pinion conversions, I'm having sticker shock. For something that seems fairly simple, the price tag is around $1600 to $1800 for a power steering conversion kit. I'm looking to keep my existing steering column and power steering pump, so all I need is the rack and pinion kit.

I've looked at Randall, Total Control, and Unisteer. I think I'll stay away from Flaming river based on all the bad feedback I've read about that product.

Any suggestions? I don't want to spend that much dough on steering. Maybe I should think about upgrading parts of my existing system instead of doing a complete conversion.

What have other people's experiences been?

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93 Cobra #4563 347ci 12.0@118 505rwhp 524tq
90 GT "Saleen Cobra" style convertible 347ci
67 GT "Eleanor" style coupe 347ci

Posts: 1425 | From: San Jose, CA | Registered: Jan 2003  |  :
68dustin
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Same boat as you.....been looking around too and dont think its worth the investment.... my buddy has one on his falcon (manual) and it feels like my power factory stuff...


***i have found some decent priced stuff on ebay might want to look there....

[ April 30, 2008, 02:58 PM: Message edited by: 68dustin ]

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"As I lay rubber down the street, I pray for traction that I can keep, and if I do begin to slide, please dear God protect me and my ride!"

Posts: 3986 | From: neverland | Registered: Feb 2005  |  :
BCINGUU
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Thanks for the tip. I just checked ebay, but it looks like the cheaper kits are for manual steering, so I would have to convert since mine is currently power. The cheaper kits for power steering on ebay look like they involve a lot of cutting and modification, especially to the steering column which I would like to keep stock. The best ones seem to be around $1700 and up.

I'd really like to do this for under $1k. Which probably means I won't be able to convert to rack and pinion, but maybe there are some other options like reducing my lock to lock ratio, or alternative parts.

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93 Cobra #4563 347ci 12.0@118 505rwhp 524tq
90 GT "Saleen Cobra" style convertible 347ci
67 GT "Eleanor" style coupe 347ci

Posts: 1425 | From: San Jose, CA | Registered: Jan 2003  |  :
68dustin
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i know flameriver makes a quick ratio gear box that replaces your stock box for around 400 or so...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Flaming-River-1967-68-69-70-Ford-Mustang-Steering-Box_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33589QQihZ016QQitemZ260233655965QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

think this is what im gonna go with....everything else is new on my car other than that....

[ April 30, 2008, 03:59 PM: Message edited by: 68dustin ]

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"As I lay rubber down the street, I pray for traction that I can keep, and if I do begin to slide, please dear God protect me and my ride!"

Posts: 3986 | From: neverland | Registered: Feb 2005  |  :
1SLOWLX
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Aje makes a whole front end setup that I am looking into. Tubular a-arms strut coil overs etc problem is 2500 [Frown]

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Built Tuff with your stuff ;)

Posts: 5231 | From: bay area | Registered: Nov 2001  |  :
92stangLX
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Here are a list of options. I don't know about any of them being "cheap"

http://www.nzmustang.com/Newintoold/newintoold.htm

Posts: 5302 | From: San Francisco | Registered: Sep 2003  |  :
BCINGUU
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Wow, great site! Good looking out, thanks.

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93 Cobra #4563 347ci 12.0@118 505rwhp 524tq
90 GT "Saleen Cobra" style convertible 347ci
67 GT "Eleanor" style coupe 347ci

Posts: 1425 | From: San Jose, CA | Registered: Jan 2003  |  :
BCINGUU
¯
Member # 2397

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Maybe I should just upgrade the steering box and get a longer idler and pittman arms. An aftermarket gear box is around $500 and the longer arm kit is just under $200. Anybody done this?

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93 Cobra #4563 347ci 12.0@118 505rwhp 524tq
90 GT "Saleen Cobra" style convertible 347ci
67 GT "Eleanor" style coupe 347ci

Posts: 1425 | From: San Jose, CA | Registered: Jan 2003  |  :
68dustin
CAFords OG
Member # 5388

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are you still running the stock ster. wheel???

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"As I lay rubber down the street, I pray for traction that I can keep, and if I do begin to slide, please dear God protect me and my ride!"

Posts: 3986 | From: neverland | Registered: Feb 2005  |  :
BCINGUU
¯
Member # 2397

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No, I have a nice Grant wheel, plus I have cruise control so it will be a lot easier if I keep my existing column. That pretty much narrows down my options to Randalls or Steeroids for a complete conversion, or changing the gear box and arms, from what I can see.

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93 Cobra #4563 347ci 12.0@118 505rwhp 524tq
90 GT "Saleen Cobra" style convertible 347ci
67 GT "Eleanor" style coupe 347ci

Posts: 1425 | From: San Jose, CA | Registered: Jan 2003  |  :
BCINGUU
¯
Member # 2397

Ford Icon 1 posted      Profile for BCINGUU  Ford pictures for BCINGUU  Author's Homepage     Send New Direct Message       Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote       Share this CAFords post on FB
More detail: I have the early 67 SMB-B box with the long sector shaft, which is a 16:1 ratio. Thus I assume changing to a FR 16:1 box will not make any difference in my steering response. Any suggestions on how to get more reliable and quicker steering? I'd like to end up with 2.5 turns lock to lock.

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93 Cobra #4563 347ci 12.0@118 505rwhp 524tq
90 GT "Saleen Cobra" style convertible 347ci
67 GT "Eleanor" style coupe 347ci

Posts: 1425 | From: San Jose, CA | Registered: Jan 2003  |  :


 
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