Re: 40 Dodge steering box question
[Re: motomatt383]
#1757035
02/18/15 02:25 AM
02/18/15 02:25 AM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 299 East Brunswick, NJ
finadk
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 299
East Brunswick, NJ
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I am not sure about a 40 Dodge truck but I just completed a rack & pinion setup on my 56 Coronet. This was an engineering nightmare and probably not worth the time or effort. Is the truck a rear steer setup (tie rods behind the axle)? If it is rear steer I can send you pics of my setup, but witnh he rear steer it was impossible to make connect the steering shaft to the box safely without using a $600 Wizard offset steering box.
Search on "Jeep steering Box" conversion. The Jeep Grand Cherokee uses a quick ratio (12.7:1) steering box that might get you where you want to be. I used a Borgeson conversion kit ( using the same delphi box in my C3 corvette and it was one of the best conversions I ever did. I have seen them used in Chevelles, C3 Corvettes ect. I could not make it fit in my 56 Dodge Coronet but the truck might be a different layout.
Scott
1956 Dodge Custom Royal Lancer (408 Stroker, 4 Wheel Disc Brakes, Rack & Pinion, 6 speed)
2002 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab
1976 Corvette
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Re: 40 Dodge steering box question
[Re: motomatt383]
#1757039
02/23/15 02:10 AM
02/23/15 02:10 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,631 Freeport IL USA
poorboy
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,631
Freeport IL USA
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Having done a couple of Cavalier racks, there are a few things you want to look into. As far as design, the Mopar (Plymouth, Dodge, Desoto, & Chrysler) front suspension was pretty much unchanged between 1939 and 1953. Most info available for the 46-48 will apply to your car (there is a lot of info concerning the 46-48 available.) 1) I used an 80s V8 Mopar power steering pump, the pump pressure is a little high for the rack and at highway speeds, the car tended to be a bit touchy on steering. Some kind of pressure reduction or by pass would help a bunch. 2) The Cavalier rack uses a center mount inner tie rod connection point. If you make a simple center link to attach to your existing original tie rod ends, at their original mounting position, it will eliminate a lot of challenges. Tie rod ends for your Dodge are the same ends as used in the 73-93 Dodge trucks. 3) The rack tends to make a longer turning radius then the original car had. You can move the mounting holes on the steering arms closer to the spindle (drill & ream the tapered holes) or you can learn to live with it. If you have not driven the car, you probably won't know the difference, but if you have driven the car, you will notice a difference. 4) When you change to the rack, it would be a good time to update to a modern steering column as well. Other wise, you will be dealing with modifying the original column in addition to running new steering connections to the rack. There is a lot of info concerning rack conversions over on the www.jalopyjournal.com HAMB board, do a search for 46-48 Plymouth steering. There used to be a bunch of stuff here, but I believe most of it has dropped off and is gone. Gene
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Re: 40 Dodge steering box question
[Re: poorboy]
#1757040
03/17/15 06:16 AM
03/17/15 06:16 AM
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,757 levittown pa
fstfish66
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,757
levittown pa
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fat man fab has the cavliere kit,,,the older kits use to use datsun tie rod ends with a bushing,,,now the kits use a 2004 2005 exploror tie rod end,,, i can get you the part number if your interested,,, i just revamped my cavliere steering and installed fat man dropped spindles,,,new stock spec eaton coil springs,,on my 40 dodge coupe
1966 barracuda prostreeter super charged 340(SOLD) 1940 dodge coupe 241 hemi street rod 2014 ram express hemi 4x4 dailey driver 2015 cherokee 2013 R/T classic
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Re: 40 Dodge steering box question
[Re: motomatt383]
#1799149
04/09/15 03:23 AM
04/09/15 03:23 AM
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,757 levittown pa
fstfish66
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,757
levittown pa
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just give them a call,,in the kit you get brackets that will need to be cut and shaped to fit the frame,then welded on,,you will get the rack mounting brackets,i think,,,,you will get the adapters to go from the cavlilere inner tie rods t o the ford explorer tie rod ends,, and instructions,, if you need the ycan supply frame brackets for the upper front shocks to relocate the mounting,,, you also get one steering U JOINT for the rack end not the steeering column end,, you will need to get a good used or rebuilt rack and pump,,,
1966 barracuda prostreeter super charged 340(SOLD) 1940 dodge coupe 241 hemi street rod 2014 ram express hemi 4x4 dailey driver 2015 cherokee 2013 R/T classic
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