Installing Rack & Pinion on your C10

[66PANEL]

Originally Posted by tincan1966

One thing to note when installing the rack mount:

If using the Mustang/T-Bird rack- be sure to center the rack housing between the frame rails, NOT the mounts themselves. They are not centered on the housing.

Seems simple enough, but a very common mistake.

THANK YOU!!! I probably would have been doing it twice! I'll defiantly check that, I bought it out of SPEEDWAY book and it gave mounting hole to center measurement, so for that reason I never thought to check center of R&P!

[tincan1966]

Originally Posted by 66PANEL

THANK YOU!!! I probably would have been doing it twice! I'll defiantly check that, I bought it out of SPEEDWAY book and it gave mounting hole to center measurement, so for that reason I never thought to check center of R&P!

I am not certain which application they use, but in most cases the centerline to mounting hole locations are different from drivers side to passenger side.

Not saying my way is 100% right, but I measure the actualy housing from where the dust boots clamp on side to side, mark center on the rack, then aligning it with center on the chassis.

[BRASSHEAD]

Which rack did you get from speedway?

[66PANEL]

Originally Posted by tincan1966

I am not certain which application they use, but in most cases the centerline to mounting hole locations are different from drivers side to passenger side.

Not saying my way is 100% right, but I measure the actualy housing from where the dust boots clamp on side to side, mark center on the rack, then aligning it with center on the chassis.

Ok I'll definitely do some measuring! Thank u!

[66PANEL]

Originally Posted by BRASSHEAD

Which rack did you get from speedway?

The PR&P for 82-88 ( I think ) t-bird $199.00.

[66PANEL]

Boy, it don't take long for a thread to fall behind! I've had septic issues and spent the weekend in Nashville, TN (had a great time) so that's why I haven't posted anything lately, but I'll try to get busy on it tonight!

[66PANEL]

Originally Posted by tincan1966

I am not certain which application they use, but in most cases the centerline to mounting hole locations are different from drivers side to passenger side.

Not saying my way is 100% right, but I measure the actualy housing from where the dust boots clamp on side to side, mark center on the rack, then aligning it with center on the chassis.

Tincan, you where correct on that center line, thank you for bringing that to my attention!

[sparks427]

Hey welcome to the board! This just gave me some ideas about doing the rack on mine! BTW the truck looks really good! I'm digging the motor too!! Keep up the good work!

[66PANEL]

Originally Posted by sparks427

Hey welcome to the board! This just gave me some ideas about doing the rack on mine! BTW the truck looks really good! I'm digging the motor too!! Keep up the good work!

Thanks, Sparks427! I got to admit the rack and pinion is kind of a pain in the you know what!!! but I'll get it (thanks to some guys on the forum has helped out a lot!)

[tincan1966]

hey 66PANEL- I dropped the ball here, I forgot to search out those tie rod end part numbers. Apparently they are not in my "build book" so going to have to try alternate method of searching.

The rack and pinion I used was from O'Rielly's and is a A1Cardone rebuilt with lifetime warranty. it's the TRW 203. Their price is about $125-140 exchange- and that's what hurts buying at parts house- the core is another $75-100 if you don't have one. I went to a local salvage, bought one for $20 just for a core, LOL!

Since I am dismantling my 'Burb, I plan on removing my rack mount and transferring to my truck.

[BRASSHEAD]

Could an adaptor be made to connect the truck tie rod ends to the rack? Something like the adjuster sleeve with two different threads. That seems like an easy way and you don't have to drill your spindles.

[66PANEL]

Originally Posted by tincan1966

hey 66PANEL- I dropped the ball here, I forgot to search out those tie rod end part numbers. Apparently they are not in my "build book" so going to have to try alternate method of searching.

The rack and pinion I used was from O'Rielly's and is a A1Cardone rebuilt with lifetime warranty. it's the TRW 203. Their price is about $125-140 exchange- and that's what hurts buying at parts house- the core is another $75-100 if you don't have one. I went to a local salvage, bought one for $20 just for a core, LOL!

Since I am dismantling my 'Burb, I plan on removing my rack mount and transferring to my truck.

that's cool no biggie, I've got so much going on with that thing its not funny! the mounts I made I have to move down and I think I'm going to tilt the R&P up or rotate it forward (in other words) and for the tie rod ends I'm going to use Hiem joints, (I think)!

[66PANEL]

Originally Posted by BRASSHEAD

Could an adaptor be made to connect the truck tie rod ends to the rack? Something like the adjuster sleeve with two different threads. That seems like an easy way and you don't have to drill your spindles.

That was my first plan, actually! And some how I got away from it.

[66PANEL]

Ok think I figured it out, as far as r&p mounts I still want to weld some gussets! I also got in my card plate and spacers now I just need to mate it to my intake!

[ls64]

Did I miss what spindles you are using?

[tincan1966]

I finally found the information I was looking for.

here's the link to where I got it:
www.thehollisterroadcompany.com/rackpinion.html

This article explain every conceivable measurement and the different applications.
The rack part number is 22-203
The tie rod ends to use are a ES3004RL '83-98 T-Bird and you will re=thread them to 9/16-18 thread to match the rack.

In the article there is also the info on making the adapter for the tie rods or an adjuster to use the truck ends with the rack.

[66PANEL]

Originally Posted by ls64

Did I miss what spindles you are using?

Bell tech 3in drop

[66PANEL]

Originally Posted by tincan1966

I finally found the information I was looking for.

here's the link to where I got it:
www.thehollisterroadcompany.com/rackpinion.html

This article explain every conceivable measurement and the different applications.
The rack part number is 22-203
The tie rod ends to use are a ES3004RL '83-98 T-Bird and you will re=thread them to 9/16-18 thread to match the rack.

In the article there is also the info on making the adapter for the tie rods or an adjuster to use the truck ends with the rack.

Thank you Tincan, that should answer all my questions. How do feel about my currant mounts, I'm still going to add some gussets

[tincan1966]

Originally Posted by 66PANEL

Thank you Tincan, that should answer all my questions. How do feel about my currant mounts, I'm still going to add some gussets

I think it all looks like some really nice work!

[BRASSHEAD]

I like the new mounts better than your first design. I am going to look into this more , I have been thinking on replacing my steering components and this may be a better way to go. It would give quicker steering and a more compact setup. How much better is a power rack over a manual?

[66PANEL]

Originally Posted by BRASSHEAD

I like the new mounts better than your first design. I am going to look into this more , I have been thinking on replacing my steering components and this may be a better way to go. It would give quicker steering and a more compact setup. How much better is a power rack over a manual?

I'm not sure, but I'm kind of wishing I would have went with a manual instead. I think I probably dropped 40-50 pounds off the front too! Also the manual is shorter I think.

[66PANEL]

I know it's been awhile, but I haven't been able to work on it much! But anyway here's where I'm at.

[66PANEL]

here's a few more pic's.