Anyone have a steering rack laying around I can borrow for mockup?

[DRAG-ULA]

Since I can't find the right year & model Jaguar to grab the front suspension cradle out of, I'm using the straight axle my 48 Dodge came with, I'm just putting it on top of the front leaf springs to lower it a little. I'm converting to rack & pinion because the gearbox wont work with the drop. I have a power rack out of a fox mustang that will work, I just want to see if there are any better options. Front or rear steer will work, the steering arms unbolt from the spindle and I can swap them side to side, the spindles are the same left & right. I realize that I have to use a rack that has the correct ratio and amount of turns lock-to-lock so it'll work with the length steering arms I have. If anyone has something I can borrow let me know. The total width from tie rod end to end needs to be 50", Thanks Motown!!

 

[derbydad276]

go Volare / Aspen / Gran Fury / Fifth Avenue they were made through 1988 or 89 ... its not rack and pinion but its light years ahead of the straight axle drum brake and your LA engine will drop down on it like a breeze
I also think they are spot on width for your truck they were a very popular swap for mid 50's ford trucks

I checked on car part and did a (end ) around and looked for a yard with a spindle or lower control arm

http://www.neunersautomotiverecyclers.com/ in warren showed they had a spindle upper and lower control arms & steering box so odds are you can make a deal on the whole thing if its still on the car

http://www.payless4parts.com/ in detroit also

 

[derbydad276]

http://www.carnut.com/tech/53sub/53sub1.html

http://www.henrysrodshop.com/hrs/2006/04/volare-ho/

http://www.landracing.com/forum/index.php?topic=7882.0

 

[DRAG-ULA]

Thanks Jim. I'm just trying to get it moving under its own power right now. I'm still looking for a Jaguar front cradle, I'm helping a buddy do one right now on a 51 Chevy and its the way to go. Rack & pinion, big brakes and easy to bag.

 

[derbydad276]

http://swmi.craigslist.org/pts/4854533839.html

http://annarbor.craigslist.org/pts/4834383580.html

 

[DRAG-ULA]

It's gotta be an 87 and older xj6, or a 94 and older xjs. Those are the ones everyone who does the swap seems to be using. My buddy's came out of an 85. It's such an easy swap its crazy.

 

[moneypit]

It's gotta be an 87 and older xj6, or a 94 and older xjs. Those are the ones everyone who does the swap seems to be using. My buddy's came out of an 85. It's such an easy swap its crazy.

Regal Pick a Part in howell has a earlys 90s Jag in the yard, Ill call my buddy and see what it is and what year

 

[DRAG-ULA]

Thanks Ken. There's a yard by me that has one, but the dude wants too much $$ for the front cradle.

 

[mustangmike6996]

Those are almost a bolt in swap for the F1s but are getting harder to find. Im pretty sure I posted in one of your threads before about my truck:

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1329852-well-its-almost-time-51-f1.html

If you can get a Crown Vic front end, its pretty strait forward depending on how wide the frame is. I had to cut and narrow mine and will be narrowing the rack as well.

I have a Ford PS rack in my attic at another house. I can measure it early next week.

 

[DRAG-ULA]

Thanks Mike, let me know on that rack. The crown Vic is too wide, I'd have to narrow it. What was involved with doing that? I really want to do the jag swap, but right now I need to get it moving under its own power, & running the straight axle is the easiest & quickest way.

 

[mustangmike6996]

Thanks Mike, let me know on that rack. The crown Vic is too wide, I'd have to narrow it. What was involved with doing that? I really want to do the jag swap, but right now I need to get it moving under its own power, & running the straight axle is the easiest & quickest way.

Yea I completely understand that.

Honestly it is a little more labor intense to go with the CV IFS but they are all over and can be had for a pretty good price. If you have a mig or tig welder and some know-how fab skills you will be all set. First and foremost is figure out how much you need to narrow it by. I took 2.75 inches out and used my spool gun to weld it back together. Once that was done I figured out where it should sit in the frame and notched the frame then rewelded it to make a level mounting surface. The rear mounting point of the control arms now sit under the frame rails and it looks proper. You will need some steel to fab up some gussets for the frame and box it in. I also used some 7/8" steel tube between the frame rails so the frame wouldnt crush when I bolt the CV IFS down. It sandwiches the frame. I then boxed the frame in and am currently making motor mounts to weld onto the boxed section. You can fab up mounts to the stock cradle bosses but it will be narrower and tougher. I still have to narrow the rack itself to match the 2.75" I took out of the cradle. This can be done/has been done before. It sounds like a ton of work but once you get a game plan and start cutting/welding, everything flies by. Took me about 2 days in a VERY cold garage to get the install mocked up and pretty much done. Ive got less than $300 into the whole front end. I will end up with about $500 with new brakes/hoses etc when its all said and done if I dont pay someone to narrow the rack for me. Have you tried PMing Darko?

 

[capone]

John there was an older Jaguar at parts galore in Flatrock. I plan on going there as soon as it warms up a little. I will check for you when I go.

 

[DRAG-ULA]

Thanks Matt I appreciate it, and thanks for the info Mike. The subframe swap is totally the way to go. The one we're putting on my buddy's 51 is a cake walk. Sounds like the crown Vic swap is a good one too. Jim (derbydad) is doing that on his old ford. Looks good

 

[mustangmike6996]

I have some pics that Ill upload from my phone. Not entirely sure what car this rack goes to but its a Ford.

 

[mustangmike6996]