Here is the episode a lot of you were asking for! I explain how I like to set up my steering on a gasser. It is a bit more informational and a little bit more talking but this should answer most of your question!
Thanks for another great video. You guys make an awesome team. It was nice you broke things down so a guy has an idea what to consider when doing his first straight axel setup. You make it look so easy. She’s look great can’t wait for the next video.
Thank you, I’m stoked you liked it I felt like it may be a bit more boring if an episode because I talked a lot but I really wanted people to know what to look for!👊🏼😎🇺🇸
My first car project was a 55 with the same straight axle kit. It’s reassuring to see someone else do it the same way I set mine up. Speedway also sent me the longer steering rod. I called and they sent one that was the perfect length no questions asked. Great service by them with my whole kit.
Speedway makes a great axle kit same one I put on my 55. One other thing is to make sure the pitman arm eye to eye is the same distance as the drag link bracket. My drag link is at a little angle but no bump steer on my 55. I've had her trucking 95mph With no problems. I have heard of some guys having a problem with bump steer. What's crazy is A lot of big 4×4s have a lot of angle with no bump steer to. Once you get your pitman are turned around you should be fine 😁 Shit happens lol that's how we learn right! It's always better when we can build are own hotrods then have someone else build it. As you know they just mean a lot more to us. Keep up the great work man going to be one bad Mamma Jamma! Take care 👍🏻
When I setup my steering system I ended up having the wheels turn opposite of the steering wheel. Luckily I was able to flip the steering arm on the passenger side. Steering link now goes backwards instead of parallel with the axle. Found a couple of guy on the internet who did the same thing. Long story short I have equal turning of wheels both ways. No bump steer and my 55 actually handles well on the interstate at highway speeds. This was my first straight axle installation.
Yes you definitely have to pay attention to that and it’s something I over looked! I checked tonight and because the drag link is connected to the front of the spindle it makes it turn opposite 😂 but all ya gotta do it spin the arm around and worse case remount the box so that it stays level with the axel! If it at an angle it’s okay you just don’t want it to not be level with the axel!
I would never use a 1.5" spacer on the steering arm....Why? because all the steering force is transferred to the intersection of the steering arm and bolt intersection below where the spacer actually creates a fulcrum that increases the force making it more prone to failure.....the correct way is to buy or fabricate a heavy steering arm off the spindle that corrects the height needed.....also during setup for steering all the weight needs to be on the suspension.........in this case the shackles are leaning in the wrong direction?....the slant should be forward and not to the rear as shown......leaning forward allows both the spring and shackle to operate correctly ........as it's set now you have very little front suspension.....and when done correctly the cross over steering shaft from the Pittman arm to the steering arm will change elevation and probably now hit the spring pack?.......
I am aware of the shackle direction your correct it needs to be forward I am changing that before it is finished welded that little change will not affect the steering. These springs barley move under load of vehicle weight I know this because I have the same ones on my truck. As far as the spacer it works great on my truck so it will work fine on this application. There are a million ways to build things and this is just how I did. If I was autocross racing I wouldn’t be running it that way but for a straight axle gasser built mainly for strip use I’m confident in it working!
I'm new to your videos I'm going to make a gas or out of a 1947 Business coupe any suggestions I have a 392 hemi with a blower on it I'm sticking in there the axle I'm using came out of a 1955 d100 I am changing the springs shorter one I'm more curious about a disc brake setup for it any suggestions
I’d definitely look into upgrading the axle to a WAC customs axle he can custom build to your liking. It will provide you with a lot safer, stronger and more parts available piece of equipment!
I think you may have an issue with your steering box, unless it's a reverse box. If you front steer the pitman arm should behind the box, if you rear steer it should be in front of box. The way you have it when you turn the steering wheel to the right the wheels will turn to the left.