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Rack & Pinion Steering for 65-66

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obsidianspider

New Member
I was going to reply to an old thread that was somewhat about this but then the forum told me to consider writing a new post, so here it is.

What rack & pinion steering are you using on your 65-66 Mustang? What did it take to get it installed? How do you like it? How's the turning radius?

I've searched far and wide on this issue and there's far from a consensus on which one to choose, though there are a few that I've taken note of and will stay away from. I'm not an engineer, but why the heck is no one making a rack & pinion steering setup for 65-73 Mustangs that just works? I've not heard of one that is relatively easy to install, works well and doesn't require you giving up your turning radius.
 
Todd:

It's been a while since Rack & Pinion was the "gotta have" upgrade for vintage Mustangs and for the most part, every system I remember being reviewed by VMF'ers required some compromises, especially for modified cars. IIRC the TCP system from back then was highly thought of in all respects except the purchase price of around $2,000+. Perhaps a case of "you get what you pay for"....... At any rate a recent offering in the steering upgrade area is the Borgeson fully integrated steering box (not rack & Pinion) power steering system. It sounds interesting and appears to be made well but not much chatter about it around here lately.
 
Todd due to the cost (THE most expensive single item going into my car....and that includes the car itself AND another donor car!), I did quit a bit of research before deciding. I ended up getting a Unisteer power set up. Since it was being used with a different column, spindles and an EFI 5.0, I needed a somewhat mongrel of a set up. I called and spoke with Brian, their off road products manager. GREAT guy to deal with. He had me hooked up and pieced together everything I needed. No complaints from me on their service or R&P. :thu :thu
 
IIRC, "Ripped" did a write up on the Borgeson box over on VMF. I dont recall anyone over here having done the install although I swear I recall a few people mentioning it.
 
"Ponyman66" said:
Todd due to the cost (THE most expensive single item going into my car....and that includes the car itself AND another donor car!), I did quit a bit of research before deciding. I ended up getting a Unisteer power set up. Since it was being used with a different column, spindles and an EFI 5.0, I needed a somewhat mongrel of a set up. I called and spoke with Brian, their off road products manager. GREAT guy to deal with. He had me hooked up and pieced together everything I needed. No complaints from me on their service or R&P. :thu :thu
Click to expand...

My setup will certainly be custom, for lack of a better word. I've heard good things about Unisteer, but how was the installation? Are you happy with how it drives?
 
This month's Mustang Monthly talks about all of the R&P's out there, with some general notion of ease of installation and problems.
 
"Midlife" said:
This month's Mustang Monthly talks about all of the R&P's out there, with some general notion of ease of installation and problems.
Click to expand...

I was just about to post this. Just found my copy in the junk mail pile. Have not seen the article yet.
 
The parts were temporarily mocked up so if I needed to make any adjustments/modifications. I haven't gotten to drive it yet. That's still a little way off!

While I am using different stuff than a stock '66, all the parts are designed to work together. In other words, the main difference in the spindles was the tie rod holes, which necessitated the larger tie rod ends in the kit. The column is from a '68. Stock Ford stuff, just not for a '66. I'm also using standard exhaust manifolds and pipes. Basically, I needed parts from both their 65/66 kit and their 67/68 kit. The mounting of it all is pretty much how it was designed, with no major mods which impacted how things fit (and which Unisteer may not have designed or allowed for). This allows everything to bolt in as intended and the steering geometry stays as designed.

Brian and I had a rather lengthy discussion concerning problems with their kits. We both agreed most were not the kit, but the loose nut behind the wrench! Too many times people start installing suspension mods from various manufacturers with little to no thought into how they will work together. When they run into problems or poor performance, they start looking for something to blame it on. After going over each and every part or modification in my suspension, Brian confirmed there were no changes which would adversely affect it. From a stock steering geometry stand point, it remains as designed by Ford.
 
Whichever you go with, check into the reduced turning radius and take that into consideration. Many of the racks out there are just a slightly modified J-car rack, which has a reduced steering radius. I believe the more expensive (RRS and TCP) don't have reduced steering radius and is because they are properly designed and not just a modified OEM rack. You pay for that design though ;)
 
"JeffTepper" said:
Todd:

It's been a while since Rack & Pinion was the "gotta have" upgrade for vintage Mustangs and for the most part, every system I remember being reviewed by VMF'ers required some compromises, especially for modified cars. IIRC the TCP system from back then was highly thought of in all respects except the purchase price of around $2,000+. Perhaps a case of "you get what you pay for"....... At any rate a recent offering in the steering upgrade area is the Borgeson fully integrated steering box (not rack & Pinion) power steering system. It sounds interesting and appears to be made well but not much chatter about it around here lately.
Click to expand...
I spent a long time doing a lot of research on racks and finally decided that TCP was the best choice. I was all set to plunk down the cash and then the Borgeson unit hit the scene. More research and thought had me switch gears and now I'm going the Borgeson route. Here's my rationale...

Basically it is a factory like option. Bolts right in in place of the stock box (very minor steering column mod. you do at least as much if not more with any rack system)
Utilizes the stock steering linkage parts (you can always include roller pieces if you desire)
You can "tune" the power assist by controlling pump (KRC brand) so it can "feel" right
Cost. Not that I have every used cost to drive a decision, it is nice when the better option can save you cash!

In summary, it installs like a stock item so there isn't a lot of re-engineering to make it work right. You don't lose turning radius. It can be set up to your "feel". It only costs about as much as those 2nd tier rack systems.
 
....and FYI the Borgeson box is basically an OEM 97ish Isuzu Trooper box. I'm pretty sure they machine the sector shaft so that it matches the mustang's diameter and spline. If someone comes across one at a junkyard, measure the sector shaft to see what it measures as in OEM form.

Here is one thread about the install and possible issue with returning to center: http://www.1969stang.com/mustang/forum/ ... php?t=9670
 
If TCP is the way to go I don't mind spending the money. This car is taking far too long to cheap out on something. Is anyone running the TCP setup that can comment on it?
 
TCP gen 1 rack is on my brother's 65 COupe (that you have seen) for years. Works quite well with the 215 60 15 tires on it.
 
This thread got me looking for recent info on Borgeson installs and I found this one.

http://members.boardhost.com/MustangSte ... 38231.html

Good detail for those of us with 65/66s. I also found a few discussions on performance and the overriding opinion seems to be very positive from both those with stock cars and another switched over from a R&P. One guy claimed to have multiple cars and felt the Borgeson was on par with a R&P.
 
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