Unisteer R&P Install Progress

Getting a thread going about the install progress of Unisteer's new Rack and Pinion system for the Maverick and what has been encountered so far.

I opted out for the easier, and to me a good thing, way to install it and that was to take my Mav to a friend's shop and enlist their help in putting it in. This is due to the lack of space in my garage, tools, and plain just being way to busy to tackle this project.

The car: 1977 Ford Maverick with C4 Auto & 302
The kit: Unisteer's 1970-77 Ford Maverick Rack Kit - Powered

Keep in mind that this is for a '77 and what I write here is for that type of frame.

Back in December when the kit was released, I did a lot of back-and-forth talking with Unisteer, sharing blow-out diagrams of the steering system, and asked other questions before purchasing. I have done a lot of messaging with 'Nick Dominick' about his R&P install (thanks Nick!).

So with what has been uncovered with this install will hopefully prepare others for theirs if they decide to order a kit.

Items that will need to be purchased: New headers and a new starter.
My stock starter wouldn't work. When the R&P was held up, it hit the starter before it was even bolted down. The Power Master 9103 Mini Starter, that I ordered before-hand just in case, came into use and was installed. The 9103 uses a GM/Chevy style solenoid on the side of it so the stock Ford solenoid won't be used. A new battery cable has been ran down to the starter. We opted go this route instead of daisy-chaining; just introduces another point of failure and reduces voltage.
**Nick already had this on his car when he had this R&P test fitted. Unisteer was unsure if the stock starter would fit. So my install verified that stock won't work.

The headers: See attached image. Stock manifolds won't work. The coupling doesn't even attach to the R&P with the stock manifold the way it is. I had asked Unisteer about this and the reply was that the R&P *should* work. Well, it didn't.
**Nick had Hooker 6901 headers installed during the test fitting.

As of 2/6, this is where the install has left off. The shop ordered new headers (not sure what kind, didn't ask), and will go from there.

 

Interesting. I wonder if the newer, smaller Ford starter will work, the 1993 5.0L Mustang starter is about half the size, of the stock one.

 

It might be worth a try if one can be obtained for not that much $$. The new starter costs a pretty penny.
The R&P butted up against the stock starter before it was tightened down. So there is probably about an inch or more of clearance needed on starter sizes.

 

Starters are all over ebay for abut $50...

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trk...ter&_nkw=ford+pmgr+starter&_sacat=0&_from=R40

 

You can buy a Ford starter for $30 at Pull a Part

 

There you have it! Don't be an uneducated tool like me when it comes to starters and get a 9301 off the bat. I would have tried the ebay route first.

 

It's good to know, it's a common upgrade these days. The more info we have with these, the better. The exhaust manifold interference, it somewhat of an unknown also, good to find out.

 

Will those $50.00 starters fit the older 302 blocks? A lot of them I looked at specified they "were incompatible". If I decide to go w/ this setup Im going to go w/ what's established, "9103" to work.

 

ok on to the supplied hardware. are they using grade 5 bolts, or actually using grade 8?

def good to know about stock manifolds and starter..

 

I would hope their using grade 8...

 

I would have never thought that headers would work due to the fact that the manufacturer originally designed the headers without giving a thought to a steering rack being there

 

Thanks for posting this up. I'm still on track to order my unisteer by the end of the month. Really didn't want headers on the car but at least now I will be able to get everything I need for the install ahead of time.... Including headers. Will shorty headers work?

 

I know a while back they insisted on using only grade 5 when it was brought up over on pro-touring.com

 

They shud be using the best, considering the price of the product. I wonder what those in the Mustang community w/ long term usage of the products have to say abt their products and customer service. The few reviews I have read on the VMF don't leave me overly impressed.

 

All I know is they are the best in r&p in reguards to getting correct geometry(better then stock ) while others screw it up and make it worse then stock