What is the CHEAPEST CHEAPEST way to convert to manual rack

[mob]

Hey guys, I need to convert to a manual steering rack, I want to know what the CHEAPEST way to do it is. I can get a manual rack from an older mustang from my work so the rack shouldnt be a problem. Now the part that worries me is the shaft. I heard that flaming river makes an adapter to use the stock steering shaft with the manual rack, is that true, and does anyone have a link of where I can get it? I've tried searching on summit but couldnt find it. I am going to pull my motor within the week and I want to change the rack while the motor is out but I dont want the rack to hold me back from putting the engine back in. Will that be all I need if I just get a manual rack and the adapter?

 

[mob]

Just realized this thread is gonna be full of racks and shafts.

 

[mob]

Ok, so I found this, is this the correct adapter?

Flaming River FR1604 - Flaming River Rack and Pinion Adapter Flanges – SummitRacing.com

And is the adapter and rack all I will need to do this conversion? Also does anyone sell the rag joints or ujoints for the stock steering shaft for cheap? And can you replace those? If they arent too expensive mine aswell change those.

 

[Darkwriter77]

Loop the pressure and return lines together. Can't get much cheaper than that.

Summit sells a kit that runs about $300 and some change, and it comes with everything you need (except an alignment, obviously). That's the cheapest I've seen so far.

 

[90lxcoupe]

Loop the pressure and return lines together. Can't get much cheaper than that.

Summit sells a kit that runs about $300 and some change, and it comes with everything you need (except an alignment, obviously). That's the cheapest I've seen so far.

this is a bad idea, steering effort is like 10 worse than a correct manual rack. the adapter you showd is correct though, thats the one i use with my flaming river rack. i did have to grind the rack a little bit, not a huge deal.

 

[Darkwriter77]

this is a bad idea, steering effort is like 10 worse than a correct manual rack. the adapter you showd is correct though, thats the one i use with my flaming river rack. i did have to grind the rack a little bit, not a huge deal.

Obviously, you missed the smiley at the end of the sentence to indicate I wasn't being serious.

 

[mob]

OK thanks, I want it to be cheap but I also wanna do it right so I am gonna check how much a rack is at my work, if not I may just go with the summit kit to convert it but 300 really is alot that I didnt plan on spending on the steering.

 

[90lxcoupe]

http://summitracing.com/parts/SUM-770600/

that summit rack with the adapter will get you everthing you need for under 300 bucks, that solid shaft is nice, but not really neccessary

 

[mob]

Man a rack at my work with my discount is 128, I'll prob just look for a flaming river, and get the adapter.

 

[Darkwriter77]

Man a rack at my work with my discount is 128, I'll prob just look for a flaming river, and get the adapter.

Don't forget you'll need new tie rod ends, too - the power and manual racks have different ones.

 

[90lxcoupe]

Don't forget you'll need new tie rod ends, too - the power and manual racks have different ones.

my stock tie rods bolted right up

 

[blackened88lx]

It's not really going to be cheap. It's worth buying a bump steer kit btw. Makes it a million times easier to adjust the toe when you're doing your own alignment.

 

[Darkwriter77]

my stock tie rods bolted right up

That's weird, because it was always to my understanding that there were different tie rods listed for the power and manual racks...?

 

[LS-what?]

Trust me just buy the rack kit from flaming river. I know from experience I went to murrays and bought a rack for a 81 mustang. Then I had to change out tie rods cause of SN 95 spindles then spent 80 bucks on rag joint(Hit my headers) only too sell it all for not even half of what i paid. In the end I bought the Flaming River kit and bump steer kit so please just spend the money ONCE.....

Later