SoCalook, Speedway & crossmembers... - Page 2 - Cut-Weld-Drive Forums

Ray-Dean · September 12th, 2006, 12:49 PM

I've been really busy and I missed this thread....

Anywhooo, I used a gear box from a '78 Ford Courier and then reversed it. It is 5.5 turns lock to lock, and works out fine. Also, it is the perfect length to not stick out of the fender to far, yet can be placed in line with the factory collumn. Here is the link to the thread where I built it...

http://www.volksrods.com/forum/showt...=cowl+steering

VonHoffman · September 12th, 2006, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray-Dean

I've been really busy and I missed this thread....

Anywhooo, I used a gear box from a '78 Ford Courier and then reversed it. It is 5.5 turns lock to lock, and works out fine. Also, it is the perfect length to not stick out of the fender to far, yet can be placed in line with the factory collumn. Here is the link to the thread where I built it...

http://www.volksrods.com/forum/showt...=cowl+steering

Ray-Dean,

I was following through your build-up updates you had posted on the car a while back but I had overlooked the steering setup until Unkl Ian brought it to my attention. I'm really interested in that particular setup. Do you have any pictures of the finished construction of the steering? I would really like to see how it finished out. Thanks in advance.

VonHoffman · September 12th, 2006, 01:36 PM

BTW-regarding my earlier posted question, does anybody have any info regarding their ground clearance measurements as measured from below the lower beam? It would be really helpful if anybody had photos of how their's sat that I could associate with specific dimensions.

Ray-Dean · September 12th, 2006, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VonHoffman

Ray-Dean,

I was following through your build-up updates you had posted on the car a while back but I had overlooked the steering setup until Unkl Ian brought it to my attention. I'm really interested in that particular setup. Do you have any pictures of the finished construction of the steering? I would really like to see how it finished out. Thanks in advance.

I'll get a few "detailed" pics and post 'em up.

I left the steering build out of my intro because I didn't want to double post the same thing. It's not 100% finished yet (still going to build my own pitman arm, and drag link will be replaced once I get my other axle and steering arms), but the basic design will remain the same.

VonHoffman · September 12th, 2006, 01:48 PM

Ray-Dean,
Thanks in advance for the photos. How long is the pitman arm that you ended up using?

hellfirejim · September 12th, 2006, 05:58 PM

VonHoffman, when you talked to Wayne about his front end did he say what type of steering he was using? Was it a cross steer setup which I think would be the best and available at the least price.

The steering issue is my main concern as all the rest can be overcome but bumpsteer and being skittery takes all the fun out of driving the car.
jim

PS this is a great thread and the best I have seen on this issue. Thanks for all the good replies.

VonHoffman · September 12th, 2006, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hellfirejim

VonHoffman, when you talked to Wayne about his front end did he say what type of steering he was using? Was it a cross steer setup which I think would be the best and available at the least price.

The steering issue is my main concern as all the rest can be overcome but bumpsteer and being skittery takes all the fun out of driving the car.
jim

PS this is a great thread and the best I have seen on this issue. Thanks for all the good replies.

Jim,
You can see in the photos from his ad that it is a cross-steer design. He was still using the stock VW steering box.

mkparker · September 12th, 2006, 06:42 PM

This cowl steer article was posted on here the other day, but I couldn't find on here so I found it on the HAMB.
Cowl Steer How To

After digging some more over there it seems that Ranger box in the thread may actually be from a full size '77ish "Ranger" in other words an F150.

VonHoffman · September 12th, 2006, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkparker

This cowl steer article was posted on here the other day, but I couldn't find on here so I found it on the HAMB.
Cowl Steer How To

After digging some more over there it seems that Ranger box in the thread may actually be from a full size '77ish "Ranger" in other words an F150.

Thanks for the link Michael. I've got some more thorough readin' to do. I just breezed through the article and it's got me thinking about how the box might be situated within the front firewall area below the dash and above the pedals.

I'm anxious to see more pictures of what Ray-Dean's setup finished out like to determine if the aethestic is what I'm after.

Ray-Dean · September 13th, 2006, 05:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkparker

This cowl steer article was posted on here the other day, but I couldn't find on here so I found it on the HAMB.
Cowl Steer How To

After digging some more over there it seems that Ranger box in the thread may actually be from a full size '77ish "Ranger" in other words an F150.

This is a mis print....

This is the tech article I read back when I went to design my system. This is the method I used. It is actually the gear box out of a Courier. I found this out in PMs with hillbillyhell. I posted the link a long time ago, but can't seem to find it since the change over. The 150 box would work, but prooved much more difficult to mount and keep in line with the factory bug steering column.

Ray-Dean · September 13th, 2006, 05:46 AM

I did several searches, and even checked all my old posts, but can not find the info I put out so here it is again...

These are the pics of my steering gear box being reversed... It may have been deleted from my intro, or I may have overlooked it.

**Unkl Ian** · September 13th, 2006, 09:29 AM

I think there is a Datsun or Toyota Pick Up box
that wouldn't need to be reversed.

VonHoffman · September 13th, 2006, 09:34 AM

BattleBug reminded me that the Stinkbug also featured the side steering setup. I'm still looking for photos that would show the steering box's position inside the car as well as any associated bracing/mounts. Anybody have any?

**Unkl Ian** · September 13th, 2006, 09:48 AM

No pics,but I seem to remember reading that
Fred used a stock Beetle box.

And the guy with the white Fiberglas T-bucket
used a Beetle box as a side steer.

BattleBug · September 13th, 2006, 10:14 AM

Judging by the pics, I'd have to say that it's pretty low and down above the peddles. But if Fred used a Beetle box, they aren't that big and there is probably enough room above the peddles for it.

Who has the white T-Bucket? I'd like to see pictures of this one as it doesn't sound familiar.

AJ

**Unkl Ian** · September 13th, 2006, 10:19 AM

It was on here a couple years ago,wire wheels,transverse leaf on back.
The owner runs his own machine shop.(and it shows)

Sold it before it was done.

VonHoffman · September 13th, 2006, 10:44 AM

Unkl Ian, Thanks for the tip. I'm guessing that a big benefit of using the VW box may be that the angle of the steering column could stay the same.

Battlebug, I think that you are probably right about clearance issues around the pedals and the smaller VW box.

mkparker · September 13th, 2006, 10:46 AM

Here is a pic of the T-bucket I think Unkl is talking about, but I don't have any shots of the steering.

Thanks for the clarification on the Ford box mentioned above, Ray-Dean...now get a freakin' camera that wll let ya get some in-focus close-ups!!

There was a mention of using a pre-'67 Bus box over on the HAMB also...

I looks like, correct me if I'm wrong, that a BMW 2002 '68-'76 is a really nice unit..keeps it in the family too...

BMW Cowl Steer

31hillard · September 13th, 2006, 10:52 AM

ive heard of roddesr using bus boxes for cowl steering!

alot of the uk roddesr also use bmw boxes and flip um.

**Unkl Ian** · September 13th, 2006, 11:02 AM

MKParker:That's the one.
--------------------
Doesn't the pitman arm face up on a Bus box,when used for side steer ?

With cowl steer,especially on a Beetle,it would be preferable to have the pitman arm on the bottom.

31hillard · September 13th, 2006, 11:35 AM

here is something that might intrest you guys!i wish i could get it but us shipping only!bugger

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/VW-VO...spagenameZWDVW

**Unkl Ian** · September 13th, 2006, 11:45 AM

If you REALLY want them,shouldn't be too hard to find a Volksrod member in the US to forward them to you.

OR

I think there should be info in the HAMB Tech Archive
on adapting VW discs to Ford spindles.

31hillard · September 13th, 2006, 11:48 AM

really it would probably be easier to have vw drums coverted over here!like mike pyes!

mkparker · September 13th, 2006, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Doesn't the pitman arm face up on a Bus box,when used for side steer ?

Yes, I believe so. I think it is run in a lower framerail application more than a cowl steer.

VonHoffman · September 15th, 2006, 04:20 PM

An update to the story from the start of this thread:

I still have not received any response from SoCalook to my questions I had asked them two weeks ago. I received no response from the VW guru at Speedway either but I figured I would give them one more chance.

I called to speak with the guru and I was told that he was on the phone but I could wait. That wait turned into being sent to voicemail where upon I was greeted with a message saying that he was not in the office and wouldn't be back until September 25th. Well, now I'm pissed and I've had about enough of this bullsh*t but I wouldn't let go of it as a matter of principle. Shorter story: I managed to get passed around to several different people before finally speaking with Dennis. He must not actually work there because he was very helpful and provided me with all of the part numbers as well as prices for everything I needed and not anything I already own. Imagine that, only two and a half weeks to get something that resembles customer service!

BTW- after reading about problems that others have had with getting their parts in a timely fashion, I made a point of asking Dennis if all of the parts that he listed were in stock, including the crossmember. He said that he has everything on hand except for the Ford spindles which I don't need. If I did require them, I would be waiting at least two months!

I'm fairly certain at this point that I'm going to go with another supplier for a crossmember and all of the associated parts but I just wanted to have a plan "B" to fall back on.

As a consumer/customer, the only real power you have is in your wallet. B*tching to a manager or some other customer service rep rarely has much of an impact on businesses. Reward those people and companies that actually know what customer service means...send all of your business their way! Money speaks in a language that almost everyone can understand.