ok, with my current project i need to start looking into options for a custom front subframe, more the placement of the manual rack. ideally it would go forward 2-3 inches and down 3/4-1 inch from its stock location. i dont have to but it would make it ALOT easier on me. my car is an 87 t2 with a manual rack.

now i would use a different steering rack if i needed to, but i am unsure if it would cause bumpsteer, or what car to look for, for a donor car. i know its reported that moving the rack down causes bumpsteer, and i want to avoid this. i would like to make my own custom frame, using the mounting holes for the stock subframe, as long as the rack is forward, down the measurements i mentioned earlier.

i would like to do something like this in the picture, just without needing the rotros, hubs, and other suspension stuff.


anyone done this? suggestions? ideas? input?

 

When you move the rack down you'll get bumpsteer, but you can correct it with using special tie rod ends that space the tie rod down, so it's still in line with the suspension arm. Moving the rack forward that much will cause some funky things to happen, You might run out of range of motion on the tie rods, which will cause them to bend. They'll only angle so much. I beleive it'll also change the akerman, which could be bad.

Basically one shoud try as hard as possible to keep the steering rack in the same place, otherwise bad things might happen.

 

bumpsteer is what worries me, i figure i can get it to the stock angles if i move the rack around. hinson told me he would make me a bumpsteer kit for my fc, but first i wanted to try and get a custom setup, because his kit only allows you to move 5/8 inch down from stock position.

i just want to see if someone has made a custom rack before, i was thinking the 3rotor guys would have to do something similiar for best fit.

 

1) You'll induce bumpsteer. This is unavoidable. Lucky thing is, you can correct this with shims to the tie rod ends.

2) You change the Ackermann steering geometry. This is something you cannot adjust.

Us 20B guys go with a custom front sway bar to get around the longer motor.
The steering is untouched, since the 20B has a notched oil pan that fits the stock FC3S steering rack no problem.


-Ted

 

i thought i read somwhere where it said how to adjust ackerman but i cant find it. the motor fits, its just that extra room will make my life easier, and give me a lower mounting point.

 

deal with it, i wouldnt screw with the steering geometry in THAT way just for a negligable amount of clearance