Randalls rack and pinion still top choice?

cradicg · Nov 20, 2005

The steering in my 66 is horrible. I'm weaving left and right in my lane, and look like a little old lady jerking the steering wheel back and forth to TRY and keep straight. It's time for new steering components. After searching the posts, it seems that the majority support the Randalls system for best bang for the buck, and ease of installation. I'm a average skilled wrench turner, so great customer support and ease of install (no welding, minimal cutting) are more important than cost. Is Randalls still the recommended kit for power rack and pinion setups?

Edbert · Nov 20, 2005

cradicg said:
ease of install (no welding, minimal cutting) are more important than cost.

Nothing against RR, but the statement I quoted makes me thing you should get a TCP. Their quality is a bit higher too in my opinion, of course it SHOULD be considering the price.

DrStang · Nov 20, 2005

Randall just increased his price $200. This may have swayed me towards TCP. TCP's price is higher ($1995+ pump cost) but I believe it is a better unit in that it was designed for the Mustang. The Randall's rack is a great fit and his service is exceptional but it is really an adapted J-car rack.

66Runt · Nov 20, 2005

I just installed a Randall's Rack in my '66

I have not driven it yet.
The install was a piece of cake. The whole thing except power steering took about 2 hours. The rack sits offset to the passenger side about 1/4". and future toe changes are going to be a PITA. The "8 mounting points" is a bit misleading", although I think the package is fairly robust. I will probably pull mine out and weld up the bolted brackets. Other than that, I am very satisfied with the "fit and finish".

The real test will be driving the car. It has a fast ratio at less than three turns lock-to-lock, and you will loose turning radius (as you do with all racks). How much I don't know yet.

IMO the difference of $600.00 (more if you add pumps to both systems) buys a nice disc brake setup, or puts a good bit towards redoing the whole front end. I couldn't see enough extra benefit of the TCP rack over Randall's rack, other than "style points".

Good luck with what ever you decide.

Scott

cradicg · Nov 21, 2005

Should I stay with power steering or go manual?

The power steering pump is original and needs to be rebuilt or replaced. Since I am switching over to R&P, should I remove the power steering and free up the engine a bit, or will I regret it? I havn't driven a non-powered steering car since my father's 67 Chevy pickup, and that was too long ago to remember.

gonzothegreat · Nov 21, 2005

Randall Rack on my 65 coupe:

one word: EXCELLENT

gonzothegreat · Nov 21, 2005

I would have shown you the install post that I made at the other forum called FordMuscle, but those f..g *******s have deleted my post and kicked me out...SOBitches...

LMan · Nov 21, 2005

cradicg said:
The steering in my 66 is horrible. I'm weaving left and right in my lane, and look like a little old lady jerking the steering wheel back and forth to TRY and keep straight. It's time for new steering components. After searching the posts, it seems that the majority support the Randalls system for best bang for the buck, and ease of installation. I'm a average skilled wrench turner, so great customer support and ease of install (no welding, minimal cutting) are more important than cost. Is Randalls still the recommended kit for power rack and pinion setups?

have you adjusted the steering box?

stangman16 · Nov 21, 2005

gonzothegreat said:
I would have shown you the install post that I made at the other forum called FordMuscle, but those f..g *******s have deleted my post and kicked me out...SOBitches...

How do you like it? Turning radius difference, hwy difference? Anything you don't like about it? I'm interested in one for a Christmas gift... gotta get the chick to buy one! Haha.

that sucks they deleted your install info, do you have a backup anywhere? I'd love to see that!

gonzothegreat · Nov 21, 2005

stangman16 said:
How do you like it? Turning radius difference, hwy difference? Anything you don't like about it? I'm interested in one for a Christmas gift... gotta get the chick to buy one! Haha.

that sucks they deleted your install info, do you have a backup anywhere? I'd love to see that!

My 65 coupe had power steering, it was ........erm.... deadly.....
One day while driving, I took a right turn at low speed (10 mph) I turned the steering wheel... and turned... and turned.... thinking ok that's enough turning... the car drove straight on, scary ****.amnit:

After that, I told myself, f..k it I got to have a rack and pinion.
After searching, the Randal one was the best for your money.

Installation: even my dog could do it blinded.

Driving: WOW kick ass, that thing is , the steering is really responsive now, you are not wondering around on the highway, it's excellent.
bad things: my wallet hurts now

I will re-write the all **deleted** post on my website one day.

cradicg · Nov 21, 2005

Lman...

I have not adjusted the steering box. I hear the steering gear box is eliminated when going to R&P. I was wondering if there is a huge difference in power vs. manual steering besides having to He-man the steering wheel during u-turns. It would be nice to free up a couple of HP and have one less system to watch for leaks. I am actually going to pull the motor and tranny soon to have the car soda blasted. I figure if I have to remove and reinstall a vast majority of the underhood items, I may as well switch over to more safe, reliable gear. I already have front disc brake conversion, so I may do a different rear end suspension upon reassembly. I see Reenmachine has some nice suspension setups, and it looks like the front has R&P included. I could install this and sell my current disc brake conversion for about the same price as adding R&P from Randall or TCP. Any thoughts?

cradicg · Nov 21, 2005

Gonzo, did you get manual or power R&P?

stangman16 · Nov 21, 2005

good deal - I'm really wanting one badly, I have manual steering right now and I love driving it around as it feels like it's real 'tight' I guess I can say, I just hate it in the parking lot. I'm wondering if it'll have that same tight feel on the hwy, and it'll definitely be better in the parking lot I can see.

I got to drive my friends '67 coupe w/pwr steering, and that was definitely scary - I don't know why he kept it on there. Glad mine came with manual steering.

gonzothegreat said:
My 65 coupe had power steering, it was ........erm.... deadly.....
One day while driving, I took a right turn at low speed (10 mph) I turned the steering wheel... and turned... and turned.... thinking ok that's enough turning... the car drove straight on, scary ****.amnit:

After that, I told myself, f..k it I got to have a rack and pinion.
After searching, the Randal one was the best for your money.

Installation: even my dog could do it blinded.
Driving: WOW kick ass, that thing is , the steering is really responsive now, you are not wondering around on the highway, it's excellent.
bad things: my wallet hurts now

I will re-write the all **deleted** post on my website one day.

302 coupe · Nov 21, 2005

I'm not advocating a 40 year old steering box over the more modern r&p setups, but I've never had any problems with my original box. The car tracks straight and true, turns relatively easily, and has decent feel/feedback. I'm afraid that some people are blindly jumping on the r&p bandwagon instead of just making and easy repair or adjustment to the parts already on the car. I racked up about 80k hard/fast/enthusiastic miles on my car in the last 5 years in all sorts of conditions, and never once felt the need for r&p.

LMan · Nov 21, 2005

cradicg said:
I have not adjusted the steering box. I hear the steering gear box is eliminated when going to R&P. I was wondering if there is a huge difference in power vs. manual steering besides having to He-man the steering wheel during u-turns. It would be nice to free up a couple of HP and have one less system to watch for leaks. I am actually going to pull the motor and tranny soon to have the car soda blasted. I figure if I have to remove and reinstall a vast majority of the underhood items, I may as well switch over to more safe, reliable gear. I already have front disc brake conversion, so I may do a different rear end suspension upon reassembly. I see Reenmachine has some nice suspension setups, and it looks like the front has R&P included. I could install this and sell my current disc brake conversion for about the same price as adding R&P from Randall or TCP. Any thoughts?

Well, I went to manual on mine soon after purchase, and that was when it was still a street car. I accepted the numb feel as the standard for 1967, but hated the leaks. The extra effort did not bother me overmuch, even with the PS box's quicker ratio.

If you have the money, R&P conversions are the only way to approximate today's steering. I am a poor family man and so must pinch my pennies for track tires, diesel, and the like...and since my car is now track-only, I dont really care about R&P personally. A well-adjusted box is all I will ever need.

I just asked since some folks dont even realize you can adjust the original box. It helps a great deal *if* the box isnt already worn out.

gonzothegreat · Nov 21, 2005

a power one

cradicg said:
Gonzo, did you get manual or power R&P?

180 Out · Nov 21, 2005

gonzothegreat said:
Installation: even my dog could do it blinded.

Is your dog doing anything this weekend? I have quite a few projects backing up on me.

dbfarr · Nov 22, 2005

I have the Randall rack and have been driving it!!

I put up a post about the install and have yet to start documenting the experience.
The car responds and drives mountains better than before. The power rack is above and beyond the stock power system.
I need to get the car properly aligned before making any final comments... so hang in there.
I have a post that I will be finishing this Christmas break, so those of you who are familliar, 66 runt et al., hang in there, it will get done.
I had to wait a bit for the backorder situation to clear up and when I did get the rack in, easier than putting the front coils in, the oil pan gasket i replaced leaked (doh). So all these issues are resolved now and i can get the car aligned tommorrow.
I can vouch for Randy and say he will be with you every step of the way; he is helpful, knowledgeable and extremely patient and friendly. He has a personal stake as designer and proprietor of Randall's rack and does everything possible to help ease the install.
I don't know the level of support you will recieve from TCP, but I can certainly vouch for Randy.
Anyway, seriously consider the rack. It delivers on what it promises, and Randy is honest about the downsides of the conversion. It does lose some level of turning radius; but the steering is so precise, the tradeoff is not just worth it, but welcome. My wife no longer recognized the car, she was just astounded.
Anyway, i will get my photos together and provide a more complete write up as soon as I get the time.

Thanks,

Don.

bnickel · Nov 22, 2005

dbfarr said:
I put up a post about the install and have yet to start documenting the experience.
The car responds and drives mountains better than before. The power rack is above and beyond the stock power system.
I need to get the car properly aligned before making any final comments... so hang in there.
I have a post that I will be finishing this Christmas break, so those of you who are familliar, 66 runt et al., hang in there, it will get done.
I had to wait a bit for the backorder situation to clear up and when I did get the rack in, easier than putting the front coils in, the oil pan gasket i replaced leaked (doh). So all these issues are resolved now and i can get the car aligned tommorrow.
I can vouch for Randy and say he will be with you every step of the way; he is helpful, knowledgeable and extremely patient and friendly. He has a personal stake as designer and proprietor of Randall's rack and does everything possible to help ease the install.
I don't know the level of support you will recieve from TCP, but I can certainly vouch for Randy.
Anyway, seriously consider the rack. It delivers on what it promises, and Randy is honest about the downsides of the conversion. It does lose some level of turning radius; but the steering is so precise, the tradeoff is not just worth it, but welcome. My wife no longer recognized the car, she was just astounded.
Anyway, i will get my photos together and provide a more complete write up as soon as I get the time.

Thanks,

Don.

question. are you running the stock PS pump or did you get one of Randy's pumps? if you are using the stock pump is the steering effort as easy or easier than a stock system?

Tim65GT · Nov 22, 2005

I have a post that I will be finishing this Christmas break, so those of you who are familliar, 66 runt et al., hang in there, it will get done.

I too have been interested in a Randalls Rack for my '65 GT. I still have the original 1:16 ratio box that has a little wear, but not bad. The V-8 on top of 225's makes it rather hard to turn in parking situations. I want power, but the factory type power steering is out of the question.

Randalls rack and pinion still top choice?

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