seeking the right power steering unit for my bedford

[Lyndon]

im seeking the right power steering unit for my bedford swb, i have a 3.8 v6 so all i need is the steering rack to bolt straight in, does anyone know where i can get one ready to bolt straight in? thanks guys Lyndon

[hammers_spanners]

Lyndon there is no drop in power steering rack to suit a Bedford.

[Warren]

I think Chris has posted about a porche system that can be made to fit.
also a link on the subjuect

http://www.bedfordcf.co.uk/powersteering.htm

and from the old site

http://www.buga.bedfordcf.com/funk/thread.php?id=1518

http://www.buga.bedfordcf.com/funk/thread.php?id=998

http://www.buga.bedfordcf.com/funk/thread.php?id=671

http://www.buga.bedfordcf.com/funk/thread.php?id=489

Warren

[Rogue Trooper]

Here, do this...

Please note this was posted on the old site by Garry who is now on this site as SundownerNZ

Hi all,

There have been a number of questions both on here and on SCV site about power steering fits to CF Bedfords so I thought it was about time I posted some pics of my setup. This should give you an idea of how it sits.

As some of you already know, I have a 928 left hand drive Porsche steering rack fitted to my LWB, driven by a std 350 chev power steering pump. The pump is fitted in the stock position on the left hand side of the block. The LH drive unit is used to provide an easy fit to the CF as it needs to go in front of the cross member. Most car racks fit to the rear of the cross member. With the LH drive unit you just rotate it end for end and fit it up.

The Porsche also has a long throw, much like the CF rack but not quite the same length so you do loose a few mm in throw but it's hardly noticeable. With most car racks you loose heaps so your turning circle is way less than normal.

As you can see by the pics, the steering column shafts virtually line up but the shaft from the steering column to the rack needs to be modified slightly to fit, depending on what you use for a universal. You can also see the new mounting brackets made to mount the rack. These bolt to the std CF rack mounting plates welded to both sides of the cross member. We also added a couple of extra bolts in the verticle just to make sure. The tie rod end threads also need to be altered to fit the CF tie rod ends.



Front on view of the rack fitted.



Right hand side showing mounting bracket.



Left hand side showing bracket.



Right hand side showing steering column connecting shaft.

Thats about it really. Fairly straight forward. Any questions, fire away.

Cheers,
Garry.

Edited by ShaneJ to show correct model of steering rack used

[Tweaker]

Those pics are exactly what I needed to see!

Thank you! 

[Sundownernz]

Hi Rogue,

Thanks for transfering that over. I was looking at doing just that so you saved me the trouble. And thanks Shane for correcting the 924/928 mistake. Hope this helps fellow members out.

Cheers,
Garry.

[Tweaker]

do anyone out there know wether the long or short 928 rack was used in this instalation? I've been incontact witha Porsche spare parts dealer. And I've uploaded this for you all.

Notes: there are two different rack (the rack is what the inner tie rods screw into) lengths, as measured without inner the tie rods attached: a 795 mm nominal length (known as the -22 rack or BX rack) and an 810 mm nominal length (known as the -24 or -26 rack or CX or DX rack).
The 795 length was original equipment through 1981, the 810 length started around 1982.
The two different rack lengths require different steering stops.

Now the price differs conciderably between the two!

$299 for the short 

$599 for the long. 

Plus postage of cause! 

I would love to know the turning circle of the Porsche rack ina Beddy v's the Transit rack ina Beddy v's Beddy rack (ina Beddy - lol)? Can anyone shed light on this?

[hammers_spanners]

Before you buy any rack check that the rack shaft length is the same. If not then you may get what is known as "Bump Steer" due to the change in steering geometry.

[hunterbynature]

hi guys my rack that i have currently installed is a 928 porsche left hand drive S4 1987  i believe this is the longer of the two. when the wheels are sitting paralell with each other the bedford tie rod ends are vertually touching the end of the porsche rack ends hope this helps, i have seen the transit conversion and i think the porsche conversion would be easier by comparison cheers stevo

[hunterbynature]

oh forgot to mention, bought the porsche rack of ebay for $22.00 australian but cost me $99.00 aussie to get it back to new zealand cheers stevo