Considering Switching to Rack & Pinion Steering

[thefladge]

I've been thinking of converting my Baja Bug to rack and pinion steering lately.

At one time I ran a Porsche 356 steering box. After that was damaged, I switched to an early Type 1 steering box.

I've been reading good things about rack and pinion steering in a Baja Bug for years, but never wanted to spend the money or deal with the fabrication.

I have a stock width link pin beam with stock height shock towers. It has Porsche 356B spindles and Ford tie rod ends with chromoly tie rods.

I'm wondering who might have advice as to what the best r&p unit to use would be. Saco? Maybe something from a production car?

I like the idea of using a r&p unit from a production car as replacement parts should be easier to find for future repairs.

Is there any bolt on kit or is welding required for any conversion?
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1957 Vintage Baja Bug.
2110cc engine, 40 IDF Webers on Gene Berg manifolds, Engle 110 cam, Bugpack 40×35.5 Street Pro Heads, W8CC plugs, 12.5 pound Flywheel, Kennedy 1700 pound pressure plate.

[drs1023]

I went off half-cocked to change my '63 woods buggy to rack and pinion. I used a rack from a mid-70's Ford - possibly a '76 Capri I bought once for parts. I removed and sold all the VW steering stuff and started to fabricate mounts for the Ford unit from 3/16" thick 1 1/2" angle iron. I got it centered and mounted.

THEN - I figured out that the rack was intended for use on spindles with front guide arms; not the rear guide arms like the VW has. That means that when I turn the steering wheel right, the wheels turn left! I'm sorta' stubborn, so now I have cobbled up a countershaft using an old oil pump, some lathe work and blistered my fingers from crossing them for luck. When I turn the input shaft CW, the output shaft turns CCW, which in turns the wheels the correct way. The countershaft unit is not quite complete yet, but I'll post some pictures when it's finished.

This post is intended to tell you that you need to go to a reputable site such as www.appletreeauto.com and buy the rack, mount, u-joints, etc. all as a package deal. I'd get the 14" unit which comes with the tie rods but not ends.

[Vanapplebomb]

I also considered a rack for my otherwise stock link pin beam. After way to much thought I decided it wasn't worth it. The stock bug steering boxes are plenty strong if you address their biggest week point. Also, bump stop is not really a big deal with the stock front ends with the stock steering set up.

You know what I like best about steering boxes? They are easier on the hands! Racks have a ton of feedback...feedback is good, but it's more than what I like. The worm gear in the stock boxes takes a lot of that shock off and transmits it as side thrust to the tough cast iron case.

Now if you were ever going to modify your front end for long travel...that would be a different story. Racks win hands down for that sorta thing.
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1800 Type 4 Berrien 295

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=487021

[oukno]

I saw this a few weeks ago.

http://www.blindchickenracing.com/How_to/powerrack/powerrack.htm

He always comes up with some good ideas
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64 baja
64 ghia
74 Scout II
74 Tahiti Jet boat
02 Sierra 2500 HD
Love them all but I never enough time to play with them.

[shred625]

I would use a saco rack. Make sure you get a center load rack as the end load racks are for a-arm cars. You will need to do some fabrication and make sure you get the bump steer as low as you can before you weld in the mount.
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“It takes a big man to cry, but it takes a bigger man to laugh at that man.”
~ Jack Handey

[thefladge]

[WrRider]

With a stock front end I would keep the box a frend of mine has a nice saco rack and a big steering wheel and driving it is a workout. You can buy a stering quickener but it will be pricey with the shaft and u joints.
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My build page
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=508856&highlight=wrrider

[shred625]

[Gary Massin-Ball]

I went thru the same thoughts with muy rail and finally came up wit this set up. I call it the "poor man's rack and pinion".

I used to have all sorts of bent parts and broken pieces before this and I too was not willing to spend the cash on the whole rack system.

This set up actually gives you longer tie rods than even the rack system which takes even more bump steer out of the articulation. I have not has any bent parts or breakage or peeled tires off rims since this mod.
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Warrior sand rail:
2276cc 82x94
Engle FK-41 with 1.25:1 street style rockers
40x35.5 stock cast single port heads
Single 40mm Kadron w/32vent
Equalizer 5lb pulley
Stock lifters
Stock aluminum pushrods
26mm aluminum oil pump full flow
*Poor mans rack and pinion up front*
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The Ugly Bug is on the road!