Home built rack and pinion+ coilover build.

Here is a start on making a new end for the tie rod assembly using Mustang II outer tie rods, which have the same taper as the Mopar ends. Purchase a length ($45!) of 9/16 x 18 threaded rod in M7 grade (strong) . About four inches will allow plenty of adjustment. A piece of 3/4 diameter thick wall tube about two inches long will work for welding the threaded rod to, and will slide over the shaft of the pinto rack that isn't threaded with a little work. A 35/64 bit will drill the right sized hole, or close. I found one at WW Graingers for $22 including tax. A little sanding on the tie rod shaft will allow the pieces to slide together nicely. To weld the threaded rod to the tube, sand off the threads on a belt sander till you can tap it into the tube a bit. All you need is to make it stay in line while you weld it together. Once you get the threaded rod welded all the way around, run the nut all the way down and weld that to the tube as well. With both the inner weld and the outer weld, It ought to be stronger than you will ever need it to be.
I measured it out, but it looks like I will have to shorten the shaft on the rack to narrow up the whole assembly some. The tubes have just a spot weld holding them till I see exactly what I need to do to make it fit. I have to make the motor mounts next, to make sure I don't get things too close together. I want at least 1/8 inch clearance to the pan if I need to space the rack up for alignment purposes. Then I can start making the steering arms. They will be cut out of 3/8 x 4 inch plate, and will bolt to the outside of the balljoints. I plan on welding the old arms onto the new plates to mate the tie rod ends and steering arms. I will post pics as soon as I get a good start on them.