Welcome to Our Community

Wanting to join the T-Bucket Forums discussions? Then sign up for a free forum account, today!

Sign Up

Ron Pope Motorsports                California Custom Roadsters               


Dismiss Notice
Thank you for visiting the T-Bucket Forums! This site was created in 2006, to provide enthusiasts with a place to discuss T-Buckets. Over the years, there have been many imitators, but this is the T-Bucket resource you have been looking to find. We encourage you to register a FREE account and join in on the discussions.

My ProjecTee

Discussion in 'Project Plans & Updates' started by DonnyRay, Aug 20, 2018.

  1. CheapT

    CheapT
    Expand Collapse
    Active Member

    Joined:
    Apr 28, 2022
    Messages:
    254
    Likes Received:
    138
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Fundraiser - Please Donate to Keep This Site Going
    Okay. Well, I did take some measurements for you. Overall length of rack is 42", rack mounting points are 12" on center, rack body width 22" My frame width is 25"
     
    TheYeti likes this.
  2. CheapT

    CheapT
    Expand Collapse
    Active Member

    Joined:
    Apr 28, 2022
    Messages:
    254
    Likes Received:
    138
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Fundraiser - Please Donate to Keep This Site Going
    I think the heim joints would work out much better that tie rod ends and be easier to to work with. I'm going to research what I can use for my project
     
  3. DonnyRay

    DonnyRay
    Expand Collapse
    Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 20, 2017
    Messages:
    1,888
    Likes Received:
    1,384
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    retired.
    Hi indycars ; I have 2 of those tools. Locating them is another story. However ; I have NO problem locating Lowes. I grab some snacks & visit with the employes. I enjoy going to Lowes. So , there's NO problem here. I go to a restaurant every morning & i eat my breakfast. I scout around for parts , i run errands for Leroy ( the shop owner). All of these trips i make , help break up my otherwise boring existence.
     
    Spanky, Indycars and lincolnuT like this.
  4. DonnyRay

    DonnyRay
    Expand Collapse
    Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 20, 2017
    Messages:
    1,888
    Likes Received:
    1,384
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    retired.
    FIAT 500 r&p steering assembly..jpg This Fiat 500 R&P looks very simple & easy to install. It mounts behind the axle. It is manual (non power assisted).
     
    #1624 DonnyRay, Dec 25, 2022
    Last edited: Dec 25, 2022
  5. DonnyRay

    DonnyRay
    Expand Collapse
    Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 20, 2017
    Messages:
    1,888
    Likes Received:
    1,384
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    retired.
    More information: 35 R&P DIAGRAM..jpg
     
    Spanky likes this.
  6. DonnyRay

    DonnyRay
    Expand Collapse
    Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 20, 2017
    Messages:
    1,888
    Likes Received:
    1,384
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    retired.
    The length of the steering gear housing is extremely important. I have a great fitment with the Chevy Cobalt's steering assembly. I'm going to see if my Honda Del Sol's R&P inner tie rods will fit my Chevy R&P's steering gear housing. The Chevy Cobalt's inner tie rods are too long. The Honda Del Sol's inner tie rods are shorter. I may have to use the Honda's gaiters also. I'll have to purchase a banding tool when i put everything back together.
     
  7. Spanky

    Spanky
    Expand Collapse
    Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2016
    Messages:
    3,306
    Likes Received:
    2,863
    Gender:
    Male
    Have you driven a T-bucket with a steering rack like the one you are planning to use? I wonder if the handling is really worth all the effort . . . o_O
     
    rbsWELDER likes this.
  8. PotvinGuy

    PotvinGuy
    Expand Collapse
    Well-Known Member
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2008
    Messages:
    1,902
    Likes Received:
    833
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Quantum Mechanic (semi-retired)
    My first T had conventional box/drag link steering. My current T has R&P. The only big difference was steering effort; R&P is like power steering compared to conventional steering. R&P is very light and easy. But R&P has a downside: the connection between the road wheels and the steering wheel works both ways equally. So every bump in the road is transmitted right to the steering wheel. Hard on the wrists. And the control of the box is gone, so the road wheels move freely with every bump, which can be scary. The solution is one or more steering dampers. I use a pair of motorcycle dampers: IMG_0036.JPG

    ...the black cylinder. Mounts to the batwing. One on each wheel. There are many other dampers, like this one sold by speedway.
     
  9. PotvinGuy

    PotvinGuy
    Expand Collapse
    Well-Known Member
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2008
    Messages:
    1,902
    Likes Received:
    833
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Quantum Mechanic (semi-retired)
    You will want to check the stroke on any damper to see how far you can turn the wheel in both directions. Most automotive dampers are sold for a particular vehicle and the description won't have stroke or body length, so you have to ask. And then decide where to mount the damper considering the stroke and other parts in the way. This is why we get the big bucks, right?

    Here is the latest damper I bought. It has a 5" stroke, which will give you 2.5" in each direction. It came with the mounting bracket even tho the listing said it didn't. I haven't installed it yet, but it will give me more wheel turning than the present damper which has only 2" in each direction.
    P1040969.JPG
     
    #1629 PotvinGuy, Dec 27, 2022
    Last edited: Dec 27, 2022
  10. lincolnuT

    lincolnuT
    Expand Collapse
    Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2008
    Messages:
    1,863
    Likes Received:
    517
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired
    My Half Rack is so much better than the old Corvair boxes. It turns easier sitting still and going down the highway. I alos don't seem to get the same wheel feel that Potvinguy speaks about..............
     
  11. PotvinGuy

    PotvinGuy
    Expand Collapse
    Well-Known Member
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2008
    Messages:
    1,902
    Likes Received:
    833
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Quantum Mechanic (semi-retired)
    What's a half rack? Got a pic? Oh, the Unisteer! Very interesting. Does the steering column bolt directly to the unit? Plenty of turning at the wheels? Does the unit move a drag link or a cross link or how does it all go together?
     
    #1631 PotvinGuy, Dec 27, 2022
    Last edited: Dec 27, 2022
    lincolnuT likes this.
  12. LongJohn

    LongJohn
    Expand Collapse
    Member

    Joined:
    May 10, 2022
    Messages:
    64
    Likes Received:
    40
    Gender:
    Male
    I have a Unisteer unit. I haven’t driven it yet but I think it’s 3 1/2 turns lock to lock and designed fir 6” steering arms. My wheels turn about 38 degrees each way if I remember right. It’s the same as Ricks bucket. With the bell crank I can change the ratio fi I need to.
     
  13. 409T

    409T
    Expand Collapse
    Moderator
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2009
    Messages:
    1,848
    Likes Received:
    605
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired
    I have the 28 - 32 cross steer model. It is 3 3/4 turns lock to lock, 6" total drag link travel.
     
  14. lincolnuT

    lincolnuT
    Expand Collapse
    Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2008
    Messages:
    1,863
    Likes Received:
    517
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Yes about 3.5 turns lock and steers very smooth.......It hooks right up to the steering shaft these photos should make that clear. I hooks to the same place as the drag link.........
     

    Attached Files:

    PotvinGuy and Spanky like this.
  15. rbsWELDER

    rbsWELDER
    Expand Collapse
    Active Member

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2008
    Messages:
    857
    Likes Received:
    226
    Gender:
    Male
    I agree with all of the above comments! Changing from the Corvair box to R&P was amazing! It was like I installed power steering!!!
     
    lincolnuT likes this.
  16. DonnyRay

    DonnyRay
    Expand Collapse
    Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 20, 2017
    Messages:
    1,888
    Likes Received:
    1,384
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    retired.
    My inner tie rods are too long. Took my Chevy Cobalt R&P assembly to Geiger Manufactures (machine shop) to have them shortened. I'll check back with them 1-6-23.
     
  17. AltBantam

    AltBantam
    Expand Collapse
    Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2022
    Messages:
    111
    Likes Received:
    111
    Gender:
    Male
    LincolnuT, are you running that unisteer as a side steer? If so, can you post a few more photos from the front end, etc... Sorry, I did not mean to highjack the Thread but this is an option I have not considered...
     
  18. lincolnuT

    lincolnuT
    Expand Collapse
    Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2008
    Messages:
    1,863
    Likes Received:
    517
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Yes it is a side mount. I can take some diffrent angles if you want/need but it just goes down and hooks up just like the drag link does to the steering side of the front end.....Try it you will like it............
     

    Attached Files:

    Spanky and AltBantam like this.
  19. DonnyRay

    DonnyRay
    Expand Collapse
    Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 20, 2017
    Messages:
    1,888
    Likes Received:
    1,384
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    retired.
    Here's an update on the shortening of my inner tie rods : DSCN1548.JPG The lower tie rod on the top has been separated to show it's inner core. The inner core & the left side of the lower tie rod are machine cut from one solid piece. The threaded side of the top lower tie rod was drilled through it's center. The 2 lower tie rod halves are pressed together. The lower tie rod will then be welded. I am very impressed with Geiger Manufacture's work. I'll be using them again in the future. I removed the 2 steering rods & welded the 5/8" holes solid. I smoothed out the welded areas with a 40 grit flappy disc. Then i re-drilled the steering arms with a 9/16" drill bit (14mm). In other words , the original holes were 1/8" too big to fit my heim joints. I'm supposed to pick up my R&P assembly on Tuesday 1-10-23.
     
  20. AltBantam

    AltBantam
    Expand Collapse
    Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2022
    Messages:
    111
    Likes Received:
    111
    Gender:
    Male
    Thanks. Will you post a photo of the front where the unisteer mounts to the spindle?
     
    lincolnuT likes this.

Share This Page







Advertise with Us! Advertise with Us! Advertise with Us!

SSL Certificate