Rack & Pinion Steering for our Mavericks/Comets?

just looked at that. looks like it will give you more turning radius but man thats a good chunk of change for that kit. if you dont mind, how much have you spent on the universal joints, steering rods, and other parts involved.

 

I looked at just about all options and nothing really stuck out as worth the effort just to gain rack and pinion IMO.....

Now a complete suspension redo to gain better handling/stopping etc....then it makes sense....

I have one more thing I am gonna look at that would be uber cheap and a complete suspension swap if only it was a tad shorter.....but I am gonna try and talk to some fabricators to put something together....

 

Just added up what I have in it so far.... a used rack, another column(not really needed, but didnt want to destroy my colum in case this didnt work)and lower bearing, double u-joint and bearing support, I already had a lower u-joint, new tie rod assemblies...$340 and I am about done, (I think). The p/s lines came with the rack and they will be reused on my mav, so no cost there....the biggest cost is in the amount of time to get everything just so, but you cant charge for that I guess. I figure around 400 once it is done, well worth it if it drives as good as I expect it to. Plus these aftermarket companies get between $1000 to $2000 for a rack setup. I figure if I have the ability and the tools, why not try, and maybe others can benefit from it I dont care about the turning radius, that I can deal with

The bump steer kit I got off of ebay for 150, I thought that was still a bunch, but better than these other places.

 

Still within reason, compared to the available aftermarket kits!
Turning radius shouldn't be a big deal, my new E250, doesn't turn nearly as tight as my old GMC Savanna, but I deal with it.

 

$1400?! If a direct fit Maverick kit was only $1400 I'd buy it. I think the cheapest I found was $2600 so far. And that's RRS.

 

Crown Vic Man that Fairlane is NICE ! ! 65 was the stepchild of Fairlane's but yours is beautifuuullll. I always loved the lines of the car, even rarer than a Maverick. Just WOW

 

Thanks, rickm!!!! Its appreciated!

 

Okay, I have finished the rack install on my mav and have driven it about 10 miles this morning. I have to say that this is a very nice car to drive now!!! Very responsive and precise, no more slop at all....you turn the wheel and the car turns. And it is very easy to steer, many guys on here prob wont like that, but I wanted to have a car that I could enjoy driving, rather than struggling with it to keep it centered in my lane. Also while I was at it I added an aftermarket brake booster and it takes much less effort to stop the car than before, very nice, I like it!! Guess for me, the many hours involved in this latest project were worth it. Pics shortly

 

Can't wait Also YOU DA MAN

 

Ha Ha!!! LMAO!!!!

Pics....

 

i like it! good job man! id like the fact that you fabbed the pieces needed to make it work . buying a kit would be nice but taking pride in your own design seems well worth the difference

 

AWESOME!!

 

do you have any bump steer with the inner tie rod joints beeing closer toghter than the factory centerlink has them?
and how is the turning radius?

 

No bump steer, it drives nice!! The turning radius is almost the same, the only thing I have noticed is when turning left if you turn it all the way, the tire rubs just a bit on the end of the rack. I did a few u-turns this morning and it works great!

 

That's some impressive bit of engineering you did there! I humbly beseech you for a tech article.