Rack and pinion in an obs?

[pavetim]

Don't know if it's even possible without major fabrication but was wondering if anybody put a rack and pinion setup in their obs chevy? I'm just looking for a little better steering feel.

[tony@air ride]

I would just upgrade the box and get all new ball joints , tie rod ends and bushings. More often than not, people really screw up their front steering by trying to install a rack on something that it was not engineered for. There are these little nuances called proper Ackerman and Bumpsteer....

[tahoetweaker]

I just went and took a look at my neighbors 93, he has rack and pinion on his, and if I can get some pictures of it when he pulls his motor, I will.
I asked him about bumpsteer, and he said there isn't any at all.

It looked pretty too.

[pavetim]

Your neighbor has a 93 full size? I'd love some pics if he put rack in his truck, i really want to look into it.

[tahoetweaker]

It might be a while before I can get pics, but yeah he has an OBS full fize.
It's got 19 wide slicks in the back, fully backhalved. completely built blown 454 with rack and pinion
coil overs in the rear, static dropped in the front I believe, it's sitting at about a 6/8 or so.
It's got a 90's style paint job considering it was built in the 90's

[pavetim]

You know at least what he used the rack from? You think you can find out for me, i'm really wanting to do it. It really doesn't seem too difficult as long as I pick the right rack unit.

[tahoetweaker]

I'll ask him next time I see him out, the truck was built in the 90's, so he may not remember. But i'll try and find out for you.

[chevbum1]

Any news on this yet? I have a 94 that I have been trying to get steering better to no avail. Feels like crap. It does not want to center itself from about 1/8th of a turn from either direction. It will keep going in the direction I point it with out holding on to the steering wheel. It requires too much effort to steer and has no on center feel.

Pavetim, does yours feel like this too? Is this normal for these trucks?

I have a new rag joint, ball joints, pitman arm, inspected idler arm and tie rod ends. Swapped original box for a cardone rebuilt unit. Exchanged that for another rebuilt cardone. Now I'm back to a used factory built box. Tried a rebuilt pump. Now with a used factory built pump. Had it aligned. Caster, camber and toe are all well within factory specks. Tires are stock size and properly inflated. I have played with the flow control valve in the pump to change the pressure output, but it makes almost no noticeable difference. I have taken loose every thing and put it back together. Nothing is binding anywhere. The thing only has 80,000 miles on it.

A rack and pinion conversion or a pump and box from a different vehicle is the only thing I know to do next. I love the truck other than the steering. If I cant get it steering properly I will just have to sell it, but I really don't want to.

If this is a normal feel, we need to start up a petition to Flaming River or someone to make a bolt in rack and pinion conversion.

[1BadZ71Tahoe]

Any news on this yet? I have a 94 that I have been trying to get steering better to no avail. Feels like crap. It does not want to center itself from about 1/8th of a turn from either direction. It will keep going in the direction I point it with out holding on to the steering wheel. It requires too much effort to steer and has no on center feel.

Pavetim, does yours feel like this too? Is this normal for these trucks?

I have a new rag joint, ball joints, pitman arm, inspected idler arm and tie rod ends. Swapped original box for a cardone rebuilt unit. Exchanged that for another rebuilt cardone. Now I'm back to a used factory built box. Tried a rebuilt pump. Now with a used factory built pump. Had it aligned. Caster, camber and toe are all well within factory specks. Tires are stock size and properly inflated. I have played with the flow control valve in the pump to change the pressure output, but it makes almost no noticeable difference. I have taken loose every thing and put it back together. Nothing is binding anywhere. The thing only has 80,000 miles on it.

A rack and pinion conversion or a pump and box from a different vehicle is the only thing I know to do next. I love the truck other than the steering. If I cant get it steering properly I will just have to sell it, but I really don't want to.

If this is a normal feel, we need to start up a petition to Flaming River or someone to make a bolt in rack and pinion conversion.

I wouldn't be surprised if Flaming river could get you a custom width setup that you can fab up to work with your truck. Shoot them a detailed e-mail on intentions IMHO. Worth a try.

[Tigwldr]

Any news on this yet? I have a 94 that I have been trying to get steering better to no avail. Feels like crap. It does not want to center itself from about 1/8th of a turn from either direction. It will keep going in the direction I point it with out holding on to the steering wheel. It requires too much effort to steer and has no on center feel.

Pavetim, does yours feel like this too? Is this normal for these trucks?

I have a new rag joint, ball joints, pitman arm, inspected idler arm and tie rod ends. Swapped original box for a cardone rebuilt unit. Exchanged that for another rebuilt cardone. Now I'm back to a used factory built box. Tried a rebuilt pump. Now with a used factory built pump. Had it aligned. Caster, camber and toe are all well within factory specks. Tires are stock size and properly inflated. I have played with the flow control valve in the pump to change the pressure output, but it makes almost no noticeable difference. I have taken loose every thing and put it back together. Nothing is binding anywhere. The thing only has 80,000 miles on it.

A rack and pinion conversion or a pump and box from a different vehicle is the only thing I know to do next. I love the truck other than the steering. If I cant get it steering properly I will just have to sell it, but I really don't want to.

If this is a normal feel, we need to start up a petition to Flaming River or someone to make a bolt in rack and pinion conversion.

I feel your pain bro. I've been through the same exact thing, replacing my entire front end including my rag joint, steering shaft as well as a new AGR quick ratio box. It feels better but not near as responsive as i would expect after dropping so much into it.
Although, I do have to admit. I just got 4 new tires (yay) and it does feel a little better, not perfect but better. Thats probably because I had 3 different size tires.
I agree with 1Bad, you should definately inquier with FR. If you do please keep us informed.
Thanks

[tahoetweaker]

Hey tig, how much psi you running in your tires?
And also, you running factory tire sizes?

[Tigwldr]

Hey tig, how much psi you running in your tires?
And also, you running factory tire sizes?

Factory spec psi, I believe its 35 front 32 rear.
Yes sir, factory size tires. Man, what a nice ride.

[tahoetweaker]

Well, what I'm trying to get at. I was just now thinking, and I may be completely wrong.
Do you think, having that large of a side wall, the flex in the sidewall when you turn, do you think that could be the culprit of "loose-ish" steering what so ever.
I may just be sound like a complete idiot, but, to me in my mind seems like that could play a little bitty role in the crime.

[Shwa Kid]

Big(ish) sidewalls do have a tendency to roll in corners, it's a different feeling than slop in the steering though. I have major slop in my steering (bad idler arm) and can still feel the sidewalls roll on corners :LOL:

[tahoetweaker]

lol, figured I was wrong.

[Shwa Kid]

not completely wrong, it does add to the loose feeling when cornering.

[ccreddell]

Anything ever come of this?

[dagen_1]

crap... just realized it was an old post...hehe

removed my comment :)

[Tigwldr]

I dont think anything came form this.

dagen,
No need to remove your post, regardless of how old the thread is.


I am in desperate need of a better steering system. This has been the dark clowd over my head sinse I got my Hoe.

[JScott008]

dont know what happened but closest problem to that i ever had was pitman and idler arm. i doubt it would take much work if ya REALLY wanted to change it

[BlacK20]

Holy big sig batman!

[nine5yukon]

:lol: says the fleet orange 1/4 page sig sporter...

from what i was looking at when i was thinking of attempting this, the obs engine cross member is in a bad location and would need notching along with frame work. i highly doubt a bolt on, or even semi bolt on kit could be made for these trucks but would love someone to prove me wrong.

[BlacK20]

:lol: says the fleet orange 1/4 page sig sporter...

from what i was looking at when i was thinking of attempting this, the obs engine cross member is in a bad location and would need notching along with frame work. i highly doubt a bolt on, or even semi bolt on kit could be made for these trucks but would love someone to prove me wrong.
:think:

Not fleet orange and well within FSC sig limits...

[Monstar_est87]

Ill keep an eye on this thread, Im interested in this setup as well...

[JScott008]

haha my bad i forgot to edit the pic size. see little better now. but yea this is interesting id like to know what it takes to swap.

[Tigwldr]

Ill keep an eye on this thread, Im interested in this setup as well...

Same here.

Any updates??????????????

[ccreddell]

Found this today...

http://www.performancetrucks.net/forums/projects-gallery-189/obs-rack-pinion-steering-498862/

[Tigwldr]

Very interesting.
I just posted in that thread to bring it back to get some info on it.

[alex.hickam]

so 2000 silverado's come with rack and pinion, after core charge you can get a new rack for like 330$. Considering the tie rod ends are adjustable, the width of a 2000 rack and the 88-98 obs shouldn't be an issue. Just the mounting points would have to be fabricated. My steering system with the old power steering pump and steering gear has a lot of play between all of the points of contact. A lot more play towards the passenger wheel. I've replaced the tie rods, all the bushings, idler/pitman arms, only thing I haven't replaced is the gear box and steering shaft itself, but I can see the play coming from the static parts and the gear isn't even moving. I'm pretty committed to converting to rack and pinion, I know you can throw a rack on anything, but I'm wanting to replace a few things on my truck down the road and would hate to create a problem I'll have to do again later. I AM SO TIRED OF CORRECTING MY STEERING WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. steering gearboxes suck. I've found plenty of conversion write ups, but I haven't seen any on 2wd c1500's, I'll try it with a 2000 silverado rack here pretty soon. I'll post a write up with parts later.

[1989K1500]

You are setting yourself up for wicked bump steer if you just plan to toss a random rack in it and adjust the tie rods to get the toe correct.

Your rack need to be the same width or extremely close to the width of the stock center link. If your tie rods are a different length than before its going to do what it wants when the suspension cycles.

DB Rods put a rack on the Red Sled and he said there is no bump steer. But the turning radius is horrible, which is what I've heard from everyone who has installed a rack in something that didn't have it factory.