Steering upgrade help

[rod7515]

I would like to make some kind of change to my 66 Dart in the steering department. Is there any type of rack & pinion that would fit. I have seen information about a fire box steering or something like that but would rather do a modern update if its not to costly. I hope to drive mine back and forth to the beach (400 mile round trip) every few weeks and would like something easy to handle. I can do modifications including welding if needed. Was wondering what others have done.
Look forward to hearing your options.
Thanks
Rodney

 

[amx364]

On 66 Barracuda, took the manual steering gearbox had had it rebuilt by a local company(Dallas). Best money you can spend, about 250.

 

[BillGrissom]

I haven't seen any custom rack & pinion, and it would be tricky to make mounting points off the frame. There are modern front-end kits that replace the entire K-frame, suspension, and brakes, including adding rack & pinion, but they aren't cheap (>$2K) and require cutting and welding to the existing frame. You can find posts here. Alter-kation is one company. Flaming River is an after-market Pitmann-style box. The factory box is not bad, and most consider it better feel than new cars w/ electric-assist.

 

[67Dart273]

"Someplace" I saw a rear mount where someone mounted a rack using the original idler arm mount as one anchor, and fabricated bracket for the box side.

You have to watch, as some racks are in front, some are to the rear, of the spindles.

 

[pishta]

Geo Metro box, as well as a Horizon/omni box can be made to work. It would have to be under the pan like the center link but mounted on the rails, then custom rod ends made. Your steering will have to do almost a 90 straight down to get into the box and youll have limited steering ie. a huge turn radius. AlterK8tion puts it in the front, like inside the K. that would require swapping the spindles from side to side and having the brakes in the front of the disks. Its a project for sure with limited outcome. fast ratio pitman arm or a stiffer power box from a police car or firm feel stage 2-3. when looking for a rack, there are front steer where the rack is on top and rear steer where the rack is on the bottom in relation to the pinion.

 

[fstfish66]

a company called unisteer has developed a bolt in rack and pinion for the B AND E bodys,,,and was going to do one for the A body,,,i have not seen any thing on it,,but it cant hurt to go to there site or call and ask,,,, if you understand how steering works,,,a chevy cavelier rack can be made to work,, its a hot conversion in the street rod world,,,,,i had a mustang rack in my 66,,but we made a custom made K frame LONNNNNNG before any bolt in units exsisted,,,,