Moparts

Rack and pinion swap on 84 D-150

Posted By: old_goat

Rack and pinion swap on 84 D-150 - 03/03/13 02:24 AM

It has been a few years, but I remember seeing pics of a rack and pinion setup that was tabbed on an 80's race truck.
I have searched for them, no luck. I do member the truck was blue.
A thread link would be great. I want to do this swap. I work as a fabricator for a trucking company, just want to see how he placed the mounts .
Posted By: 76dodgeboy

Re: Rack and pinion swap on 84 D-150 - 03/03/13 03:18 AM

Believe its Clutches truck.

Attached picture 7610675-reyersdodge1-1.jpg
Posted By: 76dodgeboy

Re: Rack and pinion swap on 84 D-150 - 03/03/13 03:19 AM

Front

Attached picture 7610677-reyersdodge2-1.jpg
Posted By: VL21

Re: Rack and pinion swap on 84 D-150 - 03/03/13 04:44 AM


I must be tired ... in the front shot, at first glance I thought it was a NUN driving ...

Attached picture 7610800-iconhehe.gif
Posted By: Flite_727

Re: Rack and pinion swap on 84 D-150 - 03/03/13 10:24 PM

I copied clutches set up on my current build. It is a 1st generation manual Dakota rack(kinda hard to come by) I sent clutch several PM's so that I was crystal clear how he did it.
I don't have my laptop so I can't post pics, but here is a link to another thread I posted pics on.
Posted By: Jwilli500

Re: Rack and pinion swap on 84 D-150 - 03/04/13 03:23 AM

If he was a Nun he'd be the "Flying Nun"!
Quote:


I must be tired ... in the front shot, at first glance I thought it was a NUN driving ...

Posted By: old_goat

Re: Rack and pinion swap on 84 D-150 - 03/04/13 05:27 AM

Thanks Flite!
That looks good. So I take it ya swapped the lca's side for side . Do the strut rods go back to the front like stock ok, or are there mods there too?
Although it isnt Mopar parts, I have seen a few Crown Vic front suspensions put under ferd trucks. Pretty sweet swap. Good disc brakes and rack and pinion steering to boot. Way lighter than the stock crossmember too! Is also 4 1/2" bolt pattern wheels. So far it looks like the crown vic setup is how I will probably do mine. Oh, also, it bolts in easily, but I am sure I would weld mine in.
Posted By: BulletBob

Re: Rack and pinion swap on 84 D-150 - 03/04/13 07:52 AM

Grind the area around the bushing to clear frame
Cut van steering stop off
Drill holes for truck strut rods
Cut bump stop off frame
Drill tabs on frame to 3/4"
Posted By: Flite_727

Re: Rack and pinion swap on 84 D-150 - 03/05/13 04:04 AM

Quote:

Thanks Flite!
That looks good. So I take it ya swapped the lca's side for side . Do the strut rods go back to the front like stock ok, or are there mods there too?
Although it isnt Mopar parts, I have seen a few Crown Vic front suspensions put under ferd trucks. Pretty sweet swap. Good disc brakes and rack and pinion steering to boot. Way lighter than the stock crossmember too! Is also 4 1/2" bolt pattern wheels. So far it looks like the crown vic setup is how I will probably do mine. Oh, also, it bolts in easily, but I am sure I would weld mine in.


Everything is stock. D series trucks are front steer to begin with. The centerline of the rack runs through the same centerline as the stock inner tie rod ends with the tires pointed straight ahead.
Posted By: 72d100

Re: Rack and pinion swap on 84 D-150 - 03/05/13 05:05 AM

Quote:

Thanks Flite!
That looks good. So I take it ya swapped the lca's side for side . Do the strut rods go back to the front like stock ok, or are there mods there too?
Although it isnt Mopar parts, I have seen a few Crown Vic front suspensions put under ferd trucks. Pretty sweet swap. Good disc brakes and rack and pinion steering to boot. Way lighter than the stock crossmember too! Is also 4 1/2" bolt pattern wheels. So far it looks like the crown vic setup is how I will probably do mine. Oh, also, it bolts in easily, but I am sure I would weld mine in.

Ive actually been reading about this today and it seems like a good idea. anybody know how wide the d100 frame is outside to outside?
Posted By: old_goat

Re: Rack and pinion swap on 84 D-150 - 03/08/13 04:30 AM

I made a deal today over the phone on a cop car crown vic front frame clip from firewall forward. they are going to remove the steering shaft from the column and throw it in. I thought I couldnt pass it up for $ 150!
I am going to pick it up Saturday morning.
Headed for the shop after work tomorrow to remove the front sheetmetal, slant six and 4 speed.
Going to start removing front suspension, crossmember etc after I get the clip hauled in Saturday.
I cant wait to get going on this!!!
Posted By: 72d100

Re: Rack and pinion swap on 84 D-150 - 03/08/13 04:42 AM

what year front end did you pick up?
Posted By: old_goat

Re: Rack and pinion swap on 84 D-150 - 03/08/13 04:43 AM

2010 is what they told me.
Posted By: 72d100

Re: Rack and pinion swap on 84 D-150 - 03/08/13 04:46 AM

cool. im looking foward to seeing the swap
Posted By: old_goat

Re: Rack and pinion swap on 84 D-150 - 03/08/13 04:51 AM

I will keep and post picture progress!
Posted By: cageman

Re: Rack and pinion swap on 84 D-150 - 03/08/13 07:26 AM

Im going to do this to one of my sweptlines, swap in the newer crown vic front end. Im not sure which one I want, one has 17 inch wheels, and the other has 18 inch wheels, I will have to see if the 17's clear the 18 inchers calipers. Looks like a simple deal, nice tidy package.
Posted By: dogdays

Re: Rack and pinion swap on 84 D-150 - 03/08/13 05:05 PM

I'd suggest 2002 or older, later ones used a wheel with high positive offset, like a front wheel drive car.

R.
Posted By: cageman

Re: Rack and pinion swap on 84 D-150 - 03/08/13 08:22 PM

That's good though, gets the track width wider to match my truck.
Posted By: old_goat

Re: Rack and pinion swap on 84 D-150 - 03/09/13 03:46 AM

It is my understanding the 02 and earlier ones are non rack and pinion and have smaller brakes.
The unit is designed for 34 inch wide frame rails on the 03 and newer ones. On the newer ones ya do have to run at least 16 in wheels, and they are offset to the inside.
My goal is rack and pinion steering, great brakes, lower ride height with larger diameter wheels, with the added benefit of a lighter weight unit. I found out tonight these units have a cast aluminum crossmember.
I plan on using 18 in mustang bullet wheels.
Posted By: old_goat

Re: Rack and pinion swap on 84 D-150 - 03/10/13 12:59 AM

Well, my search continues. The car the front suspension was under had been hit really hard on the passenger side rear, and the frame was "z'd" badly. There is a crack in thr aluminum structure.
The guy I was getting it from has a towncar (same suspension) coming in next week. He sold me the rack and pinion unit for 25 bucks!
I am looking into how much horsepower early 90s thunderbird rear end will handle. They are independent suspension and are in their own carriage. I hope somewhere in the mid 400s with some mods.....
Posted By: 72d100

Re: Rack and pinion swap on 84 D-150 - 03/10/13 06:25 PM

that sucks about the frame. hope you find a good one. and the irs should be pretty strong if it an 8.8 center section.
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