• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-

What is the CHEAPEST CHEAPEST way to convert to manual rack

  • Thread starter Thread starter mob
  • Start date Start date Jun 23, 2009

mob

the guy who hits on his mom
20+ Year Stangneter
Oct 3, 2003
2,566
136
104
37
Dallas, TX
Jun 23, 2009
#1
  • Jun 23, 2009
  • #1
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

the guy who hits on his mom
20+ Year Stangneter
Oct 3, 2003
2,566
136
104
37
Dallas, TX
Jun 23, 2009
#2
  • Jun 23, 2009
  • #2
Just realized this thread is gonna be full of racks and shafts.
 

mob

the guy who hits on his mom
20+ Year Stangneter
Oct 3, 2003
2,566
136
104
37
Dallas, TX
Jun 24, 2009
#3
  • Jun 24, 2009
  • #3
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

Resident Ranting Negative Nancy
5 Year Member
Jul 1, 2005
314
281
134
Apache Junction, AZ
Jun 24, 2009
#4
  • Jun 24, 2009
  • #4
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

20+ Year Stangneter
Oct 7, 2003
3,596
350
134
Jun 24, 2009
#5
  • Jun 24, 2009
  • #5
Darkwriter77 said:
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.
Click to expand...

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

Resident Ranting Negative Nancy
5 Year Member
Jul 1, 2005
314
281
134
Apache Junction, AZ
Jun 24, 2009
#6
  • Jun 24, 2009
  • #6
90lxcoupe said:
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.
Click to expand...

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

mob

the guy who hits on his mom
20+ Year Stangneter
Oct 3, 2003
2,566
136
104
37
Dallas, TX
Jun 24, 2009
#7
  • Jun 24, 2009
  • #7
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

20+ Year Stangneter
Oct 7, 2003
3,596
350
134
Jun 24, 2009
#8
  • Jun 24, 2009
  • #8
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

the guy who hits on his mom
20+ Year Stangneter
Oct 3, 2003
2,566
136
104
37
Dallas, TX
Jun 25, 2009
#9
  • Jun 25, 2009
  • #9
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

Resident Ranting Negative Nancy
5 Year Member
Jul 1, 2005
314
281
134
Apache Junction, AZ
Jun 25, 2009
#10
  • Jun 25, 2009
  • #10
mob said:
Man a rack at my work with my discount is 128, I'll prob just look for a flaming river, and get the adapter.
Click to expand...

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

90lxcoupe

20+ Year Stangneter
Oct 7, 2003
3,596
350
134
Jun 25, 2009
#11
  • Jun 25, 2009
  • #11
Darkwriter77 said:
Don't forget you'll need new tie rod ends, too - the power and manual racks have different ones.
Click to expand...

my stock tie rods bolted right up
 

blackened88lx

Active Member
Aug 9, 2006
0
4
28
38
Connecticut
Jun 26, 2009
#12
  • Jun 26, 2009
  • #12
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

Resident Ranting Negative Nancy
5 Year Member
Jul 1, 2005
314
281
134
Apache Junction, AZ
Jun 26, 2009
#13
  • Jun 26, 2009
  • #13
90lxcoupe said:
my stock tie rods bolted right up
Click to expand...

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?

Founding Member
Jan 12, 2002
133
0
0
indiana
Jun 27, 2009
#14
  • Jun 27, 2009
  • #14
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
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

P
67 Mustang, with the 302 want to convert auto back to the original manual
  • Pdunn
  • May 3, 2026
  • Classic Mustang Specific Tech
Replies
2
Views
139
Classic Mustang Specific Tech May 7, 2026
Mcmahst
9
New from northern MN
  • 91firecracker
  • Apr 19, 2026
  • The Welcome Wagon
Replies
5
Views
141
The Welcome Wagon Apr 19, 2026
Noobz347
Resolved Three way cat converters..?
  • PonyGTrider
  • Nov 2, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
7
Views
270
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Nov 2, 2025
PonyGTrider
Progress Thread 91GTstroked 90 7 up convertible build
  • 91GTstroked
  • Apr 18, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
8
Views
334
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- May 22, 2026
91GTstroked
Ford truck engine swap issues
  • keel
  • Jul 7, 2026
  • Other Auto Tech
Replies
17
Views
321
Other Auto Tech Jul 13, 2026
General karthief
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?