Transit Power Steering Rack

[Bedfordcrazy]

And 2nd finally

[Zeeman]

I thought since some of the photos had gone from this thread I would add how I mounted my Transit rack.

The tow bracket was a little high & interfered with the rack, so this was sectioned first:



I made my bracket from 8mm plate steel & 75 x 75 x 5mm wall box tubing, cut in half. It mounts directly to the original mounting brackets to give an easy reference point.





The underside of the bracket is boxed to add some strength & stop any flexing.

[Zeeman]

The centreline of the rack sits in the same line as the original rack. Steering sits in approximately the same place / angle, just have to make up new joint.





Sending off the rack to be modified next week - lengthening pivot points to avoid bump steer & new tie rod ends - shortened and rethreaded. Still a fair way to go, but I thought these pics may be of use to anyone considering the conversion.

[Marky]

nice one...ur going w a v6 too ?

[Zeeman]

No, 351 Windsor/AOD 4 speed.

[Zeeman]

Rack modified by Ultimate Power Steering in Brisbane, all fitted up to reconditioned front end. Cost was about $650 for them to move pivot point with threaded adapters, make new tie rods with thread to take the Bedford rack ends, and test the rack. The advantage of the threaded adapters is if I ever need a new rack, I can unbolt the adapted parts and put on the new rack. Still have to make splined linkage to mate with the Bedford steering column, make hard lines, and mount pump.

[Marishka]

Looks great Zeeman
How much $$$ all up to convert to power steering

[Zeeman]

Probably about 1500 all up.

Rack was bought a long time ago, was about 200 I think.
Rack modifications 650
New uni joint 150
Splining of Transit steering linkage to connect with uni 100
Saginaw type pump 150
Hard lines, miscellaneous nuts and bolts 150

The bracket and crossmember mods, probably about 6-8 hours work?

Not a cheap conversion, even doing all the work myself. But hopefully worth the effort. 

[Marishka]

Cool.
Yeah definatly worth the effort.
Nothing like having power steering i recon.

Cheers

[Bean]

Do you have an aircon as well,the guy who did my air con gave me the option of one or the other but no space for both -any comments?