K-frame swap

-
bobtile

bobtile

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 19, 2014
Messages
328
Reaction score
190
Location
budd lake, nj
If you don't already know, I recently purchased a 67 Barracuda notch. Right now the car has a notched K frame with motor plate and rack and pinion steering. The rack itself is bad so it has to go anyway. I have been trying to figure out what it has in it and think I have finally done so. It appears that it is a narrowed pinto rack with omni inner tie rods and mustang II outer ends. That being said, it will be in the neighborhood of about $500 to replace as is.

Next is the geometry of the steering.
It's bad!!
You need to swing the car real wide to make a turn or it binds up. Shouldn't be much of a problem going in a straight line, but if I would ever need to make an emergency move left or right, It won't be pretty.

As I see it, I have two choices:
1. Go back to original.
That would mean K frame, steering box, pitman, idler, centerlink new oil pan ETC. ETC.
I'm thinking probably about a grand?
2. Aftermarket K frame coil over rack setup.
3-4 k for that.

My question is does anyone here have personal experience with any of these setups? I would like both positive and negative on any of them.

I don't have the money to just plunk down 4500 bucks. I'm also looking at less expensive units.
Magnum force??
Any input is appreciated,
Thanks,Bob
 

Attachments

  • b adass.jpg
    48.8 KB · Views: 256
what a beautiful ride! personally.... I'd do what it takes to make the rack steering work. going to a tube K and coil overs was about as good as change as the ladder/coil set up on the rear. More room, easily adjustable, steers/drives like a dream. The old Mopar Chassis manual had a lot of good reading on SAI and bumpsteer etc....
 
Hit up Hemidenny here on FABO and ask him about his HDK k-member, nicest piece for your money. I have a Reilly Motorsports Alterktion, very good as well. Magnum Force had bad reviews with round tube k- members flexing bad and coming apart. I think they've changed their design, but I still wouldn't buy from them.
 
First thing is "can you" get some photos of what you have now?
 
Rodzilla said:
Hit up Hemidenny here on FABO and ask him about his HDK k-member, nicest piece for your money. I have a Reilly Motorsports Alterktion, very good as well. Magnum Force had bad reviews with round tube k- members flexing bad and coming apart. I think they've changed their design, but I still wouldn't buy from them.
Click to expand...
I already contacted HemiDenny. His setup is definitely an option.
I am just running through all options at this point. Thanks.
 
First I must also say, beautiful fish.
As for your topic, Old saying comes to mind, "Takes money to drink liquor and ride the train". I have learned from experience that we get what we pay for in most cases.
Those "Johnny come lately" vendors may have as good in quality products and/or lower pricing to get their products out the door but... They simply cannot equal the experience of those who did it first. I have to assume RMS has seen every conglomeration and configuration of aftermarket parts imaginable. Their history and resulting knowledge, customer support would be worth the coins.
 
RedFish said:
First I must also say, beautiful fish.
As for your topic, Old saying comes to mind, "Takes money to drink liquor and ride the train". I have learned from experience that we get what we pay for in most cases.
Those "Johnny come lately" vendors may have as good in quality products and/or lower pricing to get their products out the door but... They simply cannot equal the experience of those who did it first. I have to assume RMS has seen every conglomeration and configuration of aftermarket parts imaginable. Their history and resulting knowledge, customer support would be worth the coins.
Click to expand...

Thanks Redfish,
I tend to agree with everything you said.
I just need to "fish" a little for curiosities sake.
 
This is what it looks like now.
 

Attachments

  • s1.jpg
    25.5 KB · Views: 154
  • s2.jpg
    28.3 KB · Views: 161
  • s3.jpg
    27.5 KB · Views: 166
  • s4.jpg
    32.3 KB · Views: 178
  • s5.jpg
    25.7 KB · Views: 170
  • s6.jpg
    32.2 KB · Views: 164
  • s7.jpg
    85.7 KB · Views: 170
Looks like the rack is a bit far forward. The other option may be to find a lower ball joint with longer arms.
 
I'm guessing they used reversed factory steering arms? That is for sure not gonna work.
 
The car was run for many years like this. I made one pass with the car and won't be comfortable as it is. That's why I'm looking for opinions on K frame setups. Hopefully I can scrape enough together to buy one before spring.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
-

Back
Top