This is mostly unrelated to any projects I'm working on really... it was just something that popped into my head.

What about using the rack from a Datsun 240-260-280z? The 280z I was looking at tonight has a rack and pinion and it looks like its about the same width as our vehicles...


Has anyone ever tried this before???

 

Rear steer?

 

If its rear steer it could work, I assume the AE86, along with a bunch of other Toyota's from that era would work as well as they are rear steer...

 

Damn you right, its a front steer rack....

AE86? Hmm... Maybe when I'm at the junkyard picking up a radiator for my Blazer I'll take a peek if there are any there.

This was more a curious observation than any real project anyways...

 

I think a VW from that era was rear steer as well

 

Yea the VW rabbit was rear steer, CP racing actually made a r/p kit using that about 4 years ago before they went out of business...
As for the AE86, I don't know dimensions or anything, but the front suspension on those cars is *very* similar to ours in design, I wish I could see one up close to compare...

 

GASP! the dreaded CP rack!

Anyways, I will keep an eye out for some AE86's at the junkyard this weekend, TransAm.

You want me to snag some photos of the set-up while I'm there?

 

okay?

 

If you want to take some pics so others can see sure, I know what the AE86 setup looks like, I was just saying I'd like to see one up close in person to compare everything to the FB parts... Something tells me you might not find many AE86's since they are so popular now...

 

well wouldn't they be the same as the preceding generation of rwd corollas?
not many of those either, but at least there's less following

 

They are probably similar enough for our purposes...

 

Hmm... I ussually see at least one any time I visit the junkyards... if only that were true about the 7's X.x

 

no wonder u dont have any time to figure out your engine mounting issue
you waste you time thinking about bullshit impossible suspension swaps.....
maybe a ferrari testarossa rack would fit....thatd be cool!!!!!!!!!!!
a RHD front steer 2nd gen Rx7 rack flipped over to LHD but rear mounted will work!!!!
HB Mazda Cosmo/929 has a rear rack, is almost identical to 1st gen suspn setup
2nd gen front struts are interchangable with HBs too
as are the 2nd gen brakes.......

 

Ouch! Harsh, but informative...

 

Whats the deal man? Why do you have to be like that? All good ideas and inventions come from some sort of similar brainstorming. Its not impossible to be working on one project and have ideas floating around in your head......

 

hey while my brain was brainstorming about the rack setup....
this other idea popped into my head about how the datsun rack idea really has no merit, and at the same time my brain remembered, another thread about brainstorming an engine mouning issue, that was funnily enough started by Demonspawn.......
its an aussie thing the sarcasticness!!!
a rack conversion is somthing i have been sussing out for ages......
i would luv a LHD 2nd gen Rx7 rack to flip and run @ rear of crossmember!!!!!
im investigating the HB 929, atleast theres a possibility it might work
so, yeah i got plenty good ideas floatin round!!!!
wheres your bright idea???

 

I just don't get why you guys are still trying to figure out these things when Billy from Re-Speed has spent a tremendous time to create a very nice kit at a resonable price that is has been proven to work beautifully.

PS: I understand the Aussi guy that needs his steering on the other side.

 

Because we're FB owners. We're constantly broke.

It's of particular interest to me because Billy's setup might cause some fitment issues with... a future project idea. A lot of things are going to be custom, so I may as well save some coin and do my own R&P conversion.

 

That's a very good answer...

As for the Aussie with anger management issues... Just because House is Australian doesn mean you're cool like him when you're sarcastic.

In any case, most likely I will end up paying for Billy's kit since I like its design.

But, there is ALWAYS room for improvement. If there wasn't than we would have hit a technological road block long ago and we'd still be stuck with 10A's and there would be no TII.

As for me not working on my car currently? Read the thread again, the truck I use to haul my parts and stuff has no radiator... kinda of a teeny little problem that I need to work on. I mean its not like the radiator is important in the operation of a vehicle, exspecially when you plan to tow and haul hundreds of pounds of crap in it. Oh no, not at all.

 

I'm going to +1 on this. I understand folks who are looking for other options for right hand drive or clearance for "special projects" but when it comes to just getting Rack and Pinion on an FB there is *no* other option in my mind than the ReSpeed rack.

The price is amazingly good considering what you get. For a kit so well engineered that it feels like the car came with it, that comes with a replacement front crossmember and all the fixings so that no real fab-work is required it's a steal. Sam and I have both put considerable seat time on FBs with the rack in it and I know I would never go back, and I'd encourage anyone who is frustrated with their steering to take the plunge and get one.

I don't think that you could match the quality of steering provided by the respeed racks without investing significantly more time, money and effort than just buying it. If you need to save money, the stock steering is more than sufficient for most uses and doesn't cost much to get running "right".. or at least as right as a recirculating ball steering system can.

No, I don't work for ReSpeed, I didn't get any cool discounts to prompt me to promote it (heck, I'm in Canada so if anything I paid *more*), I just think he did a kickass job and has answered the call of hundreds of FB owners before me looking for "a really nice rack"

Jon

 

Hey, if I had about a grand to spend I would go for the ReSpeed kit in a heartbeat.
But I don't so I will just start saving up.

This thread really isn't about finding a replacement for the ReSpeed kit, hell its not even really about making one.

It is just a curious question of, "what else could be used instead of the ReSpeed, and if so how difficult?" That's all I am really getting at.

if it only reinforces the fact that Billy has made the only worthwhile rack and pinion option for the FB, cool. If not, cool too.


Like I said in my previous post, if we just settled for what seemed perfect, then we would never have thought to upgrade our vehicles in the first place.

 

What is the difference between rear and front steer? Maybe take some pictures and educate those of us who aren't familiar with the differences.

 

Front Steer is when the the tie rod (the part that comes out of the steering rack and actually connects to the steering knuckle that the spindle is mounted to) is infront of the axle.

Rear steer is when the tie rod is behind the axle.

I don't have any real pictures to show... sorry

 

+1 million

 

FC subframe and steering FTW!

https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...light=bshusted

It was a project, but what isn't with these cars when you have to make parts yourself to save money? Honestly the swap was pretty straight forward, granted I'm not finished yet, the subframe and steering are done.