First off sorry I've been away, the Comet GT got stalled while we figured out that it was cheaper to bring the engineer over here, so now I'm up to my neck in G'days, fair dinkums and Hooly Doolys and so far its been a blast. The Maverick Rack and Pinion is well and truly underway. All we have left to do is get it tested here (we already have folks lined up...sorry). So within the next two months we'll officially release it. But since I am a member here I thought I'd give the forums a sneak peek at what we're doing. We're also working on getting the 4.6 into the Maverick engine bay using the RRS suspension and our shock tower notching kit. We go in search of 4.6 DOHC measurements tomorrow. Here are a couple of shots of the rack. Note that this is an old rack, we are now anodizing them in silver rather than red. If you have any questions please feel free to call us:866-805-1878 Jeff Ford RRS USA CEO
That looks great Jeff I'm going to start to save money for one Also thanks for developing these systems for our cars
OK, The rack bolts to the stock mounting position for the idler arm and steering box. So it does not go in place of the crossmember. Price will be in line with our Mustang rack ($1850 for the manual and $2050 for the power). I am considering a paired down version where owners supply all the bits beside the basic rack but I'd rather sell it with as much stuff as we can (ie inner tie-rods, all mounting hardware like column bearing, all the shafts to complete the install). Let me know what you guys think. The paired down version might go for $1850 on the power and $1600 ish on the manual. Headers: I am sending a rack to a Maverick owner that works for a major header manufacturer so we can make sure there are headers that fit. All the headers that won't fit a Maverick with power steering won't fit with our rack without modification. As for you Derrick King of the hoochy women, you know how all that works. Besides, you never call and you never write. I'll share more as more becomes available. We are also working on other parts that I can't disclose right now mostly to do with suspension and braking. So stay tuned. Jeff
Other than the new Doug Thorley shorty headers, all full length headers need a drop down bracket for the steering rack. I think headers are going to be a problem. I saw a Mustang rack and pinion that used the mounting points of the frame connector (Unisteer) and it looked like it would best adapt to a Maverick or Comet.
Looks great. What are you guys using for the link between the stock steering column and the first u joint? I guess a better way to ask is how do you connect the stock column to your column? thanks!
First things first Nick. After doing the bump steer testing on the Maverick specific rack from about 1:30PM until almost 11:00PM last night (and finally at 11:00PM getting near zero bump steer). I can say that bump steer would be a nightmare with the Mustang generic mostly due to tie rod placement and tie-rod bar placement--both are VERY critical on the Maverick. Plus the Mustang Generic would have to be modified--a lot--to fit. Plus who put the love out there for the faithful? the other guys or RRS? My thought is this: Good driveability and superior steering charicteristics or headers that fit...Let me see...where is that sawsall; I got me some header tubes to rework. To that end I will be working with the R&D team at Doug Thorley to get a set of long tubes available in 1 5/8 primary and 1 1/2 primary. Jeff
Okibono, There is a bearing that slips up into the column end in the engine bay over an open DD shaft (we provide). the open DD shaft slips over the orignal DD solid upper steering shaft. Clear as mud? I can e-mail closeups if you need them. Jeff