LUVTruck.com

Could this possibly work on a luv?http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CHROME-DELUXE-MUSTANG-II-MANUAL-STEERING-RACK-KIT_W0QQitemZ170275468725QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item170275468725&_trkparms=72%3A727%7C39%3A1%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245

I figure if I replace tie rods and blah blah it almost adds up to this amount for steering parts.

I have seen a member did this on here... maybe more than one but would like some input.

Thanks

you mean like this? Sorry about the size as i forgot how to shrink it.

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1978 pro street step/side 455Buick, 4sp,4.11s, 31/18.5s

I bought the kit! How did your install go on that tj?

I took the asy. apart and cut and machined the stock mounts off then made my own mounts out of billet blocks that you can see in the photo.I then made a plate and welded it to the cross member then bolted the steering to the plate. The tie rod end are about dead on as the stock Pinto/Mustang II but they are bigger then the stock LUV but will fit although you should get a tapered reamer and make them fit better.
I have some other pics but they are not the best i will post if you need and this is the simplified version so fell free to ask for more.

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1978 pro street step/side 455Buick, 4sp,4.11s, 31/18.5s

here are some more pics

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1978 pro street step/side 455Buick, 4sp,4.11s, 31/18.5s

ok yes I could definitely use some help. I bet this will be much better than stock steering. Its more difficult steering at slow speeds when there is a bigger engine in the front. My stock tie rods are worn out so it gave me a reason to purchase this. I will recieve it about tuesday.

After i did mine i found that it actually steered easier than it did stock and has better feel and control while driving..
Also because of the weight of the 455 and the power i had the front end alignment set with as much caster as possible put in (steers better at high speed) witch normally make the car/truck steer a little harder and with the rack i don't notice it.It was one of the best swaps i did on the truck.

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1978 pro street step/side 455Buick, 4sp,4.11s, 31/18.5s

Got my rack system today TJ. How did you go about starting out did you find a site that has good info? Also I don't really want to remove the mounting points on the rack if possible. I have access to a good welding machine and a plasma cutter.

I cut the stock mounting off because i didn't want the mount below the X member when the truck was lowered but i fond out that probably wasn't really necessary as the truck wouldn't get that low anyway and i think it was better as i can still remove the X member if need be and it looks cleaner.
As for finding away to build it i knew what i wanted and went from there but i also build cars for street and racing .There is always a different way to build something so you search all the possibles then pick and build what fits your needs.
Not everybody is a fabricator so i like to share my ideas to help someone to get started.

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1978 pro street step/side 455Buick, 4sp,4.11s, 31/18.5s

yours does look clean I guess I could make the set up you have with help just didn't want to mess it up cause its all polished up. Maybe use a hacksaw and then it will be covered up once you bolt up the new mounts like yours.

The reamers are kinda spendy maybe harbor freight has them . I also found this site.

http://autorepair.about.com/library/weekly/aa071004g.htm

even though mine is not power but some good info

You could fab up some mount studs that weld to the bottom of the X member and it may look and work fine.
As for cutting the mounts off the hacksaw is what we used first then i took the asy. apart then we put the ends in a lathe and machined them down then you can polish them while still in the lathe.

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1978 pro street step/side 455Buick, 4sp,4.11s, 31/18.5s

how far out from the crossmember did you go? I may be able to borrow a reamer now that I think of it. If I had a lathe I could do that but probably will do the other way. I ran a lathe somewhat they are so fun . I also have alignment shims I may try my hand at this??? we shall see? I have a lot on my plate so far but it could be worse. I could have just a bare frame...

I will go to the shop sometime soon and get you some better pics and some dimensions.
Just for thought i mounted the rack in a straight line with the tie ron mounts oh and mine are still not reamed to size and works with no problems.

I will try and get the dimensions and draw them out and try to post them (AM NOT A COMPUTER NURD) them so others can do this project.

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1978 pro street step/side 455Buick, 4sp,4.11s, 31/18.5s

I measured the stock front end and it differs from the manual rack I have its an inch or more shorter in width maybe I am not accounting for something? on the rack it measures a little over 48" with the tie rods turned in I could probably bring them in a little more but not much. I appreciate your help TJ

also I noticed my engine mounts may be in the way its a cross member as well under the oil pan so that might be in the way

Yea the motor mounts can be a problem as you can see in the pics that ihad to cut and modifie the mounts that i built.
Just take your time and it will work its way out.

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1978 pro street step/side 455Buick, 4sp,4.11s, 31/18.5s

WHAT I DID ON MY LUV WAS I BOUGHT A I THINK IT WAS A 76 77 78 MUSTANG II and cut the front end out of it. it fit real nice just a small amount of cutting and it went right in o and the track bars that go back wards on the car i run them to the front and fit to the frame real nice and lots of after market parts and cheep to

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if ya always keep ur nose to the grindstone ur gona end up with no nose
if ya think ya cant you are right

in some ways it might have saved some hassle with the mustang II clip but I spent less on all the new sub components by shopping around QA1 coilovers, aerospace brake swap and flaming river steering I have a little over 1k into it. I just didn't want to touch my frame but yeah I bet it works Thanks! might wanna show some pics for the other guys as well as me!

here i did some picks i just notched the frame i just uesd the cross member the mustang II has a rectangel subframe i cut it and then notched the luv frame

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if ya always keep ur nose to the grindstone ur gona end up with no nose
if ya think ya cant you are right

more

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if ya always keep ur nose to the grindstone ur gona end up with no nose
if ya think ya cant you are right