DIY Rack and Pinion for a 62 Galaxie using a GM J-car Rack

[@dennisborg5243]

Great addition to your KZbin channel. Even though you didn’t have video. With your photos and your clear and precise explanation of all things necessary. Will be a great help to anyone who is trying to do something similar. Great work!

[@dazecars]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@MagnaMachineWorks]

This video was well done! I have done this same swap on a 51 chev fleetline and am currently doing it on my 59 Edsel. I am surprised I haven't come across your channel before

[@dazecars]

Thanks, glad you liked it. Sadly there is so much car content on KZbin (a lot of it not very good) that finding content is like finding a grain of sand on the beach, lots there but hard to find what you are actually looking for. 😂😂😂

[@clinttanner4645]

Nice job! Im investigating putting one of those racks on my 1966 f100 and your video helps a lot Thanks!

[@dazecars]

If you have any questions along the way don't hesitate to reach out. You can email me through my website. You probably already know this but a Crown Vic front clip is an excellent way to add coil overs and an R&P to a 60s era Ford truck.

[@clinttanner4645]

@@dazecars Cool! I love fabricating but never tried a total swap like this. Everybody says I should do the Crown Vic swap but I cant stand the offset of the wheels, they make it look like a front wheel drive car! You might be hearing from in the near future, Thanks!

[@dazecars]

I get that. It needs to look good and drive well. The only down side to the GM J-car rack was reduced turning radius. Only a problem when parking.

[@fullthrottlekindaguy]

Brilliantly done. Thank you!

[@dazecars]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@johndeantx]

My 62 Galaxie did not come with factory PS. I added Vintage air so no more room for a PS pump. So I installed a Saturn Vue electric PS system which works very well. I’m sure the rack and pinion feels more “sporty” though.

[@dazecars]

absolute best upgrade I made to the car. It had power steering from the factory it it worked fine but this is 100X better

[@anthony2999]

I want to try something like this for my 1960 dodge dart phoenix...thanks!

[@dazecars]

As you start the process, if you have any questions please don't hesitate to reach out.

[@cecil6711]

So this setup would fit on a 67 mustang coupe? Thanks for all of the awesome videos. 🙂

[@dazecars]

Yes it will, but a lot more fabrication is required. You need the center bracket to be a lot bigger to emulate the drag link of a Mustang. Most aftermarket R&P systems for the Mustang are based on this rac.

[@johndeantx]

Thank you for the video. I’m going to do this to my 62 Galaxie as well. Could you tell me the spline count on the GM rack?

[@dazecars]

Sorry it took me a couple days to get back to you. I had to go out to the shop and look. 17mm DD

[@KUNGEN0713]

Very good video! How did you do with the steering column? Did you put a bearing in the end of it?

[@dazecars]

Excellent question and I didn't think to put that info in the video. Yes I used a bearing. I upgraded the steering column ion my 62 Galaxie to a 65-66 Mustang steering column. In doing so I was able to reach out to a R@P seller that offers Mustang kits and order just the column bearing.

[@rodriguezculley3483]

Hi I am interested in rebuilding my steering rack for my Saab 1994 s scanner. Your video show the rack that I need . How do I acquire this column

[@dazecars]

Its just a basic GM j-car rack available at any parts store for the J-car applications.

[@bobmcdougal7501]

Outstanding video Day. From which car make and model did this rack come?

[@dazecars]

here is a list of GM J cars 1982-1988 Cadillac Cimarron 1982-1988 Oldsmobile Firenza 1982-1989 Buick Skyhawk 1982-2005 Chevrolet Cavalier 1982 Pontiac J2000 1983 Pontiac 2000 1984 Pontiac 2000 Sunbird 1985-1994 Pontiac Sunbird 1995-2005 Pontiac Sunfire There are basically two versions offered. One has a little more travel than the other, and is the one that should be used, but I can't remember which one is witch off hand.

[@nicholasderbin7667]

Again DazeCars, impressed with this swap! I'm actually surprised I haven't seen your videos when I was looking stuff up to do on my 69 third with a tubro 3.9 Cummins with the common rail and manual transmission. I rebuilt my suspension to Heims, track rods, lengthened control arms to fit fatter tires viking coilovers. I have a hydroboost set up too. I get exactly what you mean by the slack/play in steering and how much have to turn the wheel. If this mod did that much improving the ride I might just look into trying this. One thing I've noticed (I am deaf and use captions most if the time. It doesn't show up things what been said fyi) if I missed it. That rack n pinion sits behind the crossmemeber, so it has to be a reverse gear right? I had this idea before and stopped just because I thought they don't make those at all. I have no clearance up front the crossmemeber all because all the reinforcement motor n frame. So thanks for sharing eta info about Jay cars. I'll be hunting for a rack and pinion that has the most turning length. I heard but might be worng how I heard of this, but if your steering rods has some certain shapes and curve connecting to the spindle end it would turn more. Moving the steering bearing mount closer to the center of the spindle few inches or whatever could help with turnin more. Cheers.

[@dazecars]

Probably didn't find me because I am relatively new to youtube. I had a very active DIY website for many years. The rack is rear steer. sadly there is no way to modify the steering arm on my Galaxie. I actually tried it but the LCA are so big that I was not able modify the spindle and still have it clear.

[@nicholasderbin7667]

@@dazecars I appericate everything you share and doing with your projects. I do simliar stuff you do, it keep me going and driven. Aways wanted to share my work, but I just dont have the courage and easily get unmotivated by hate. I gotta look up stuff again with the steering rack stufff again and see whatever ways could be inveted to make stuff work, experimenting things. I had a friend that says "itll work youll just gotta remember to turn the oppiste way to the derection you wanna go with this setup" such a great one right there LOL

[@dazecars]

​@@nicholasderbin7667 If your car is rear steer like most older cars are than you need to use a rack from a GM j car like I did. If your car is front steer you need to use a rack from a dodge intrepid it will go the opposite direction and works for front steer cars..

[@nicholasderbin7667]

@@dazecars I appreciate you. I have a friend that might have some or know of some. Even the turning is limited, but overall drivabilty improved with this, I think that's a sacrifice will be still worth it too.

[@dazecars]

​@@nicholasderbin7667 It is so worth it. the only time I wish I had a tighter turning radius is when I am parking in a lot

[@chrisgreenwood4601]

Have you thought about making this a kit for people that don't know what they're doing

[@dazecars]

Too much time and money involved in taking it to production, and then I would need to charge all together too much money for each kit.

[@AwesomeMillerChill]

Where did you get the rack, everywhere I've looked they dont have them

[@dazecars]

Amazon has them amzn.to/40dDTd4

[@timemerson4162]

I want to convert my '77 El Camino to rack and pinion. wonder if this setup would work for me. i'm sure the mods will be different.

[@dazecars]

The beauty of this rac is you can make brackets and takeoff points to emulate other systems. The aftermarket uses something similar to the GM j car for the Mustang and the inner tie rod points on a mustang are about 18" apart. It's the bracket that bolts to the center of the rac and makes the geometry and design the same as the OEM steering. So yes this would likely work for your car. The GM j-car rack has been used for tons of different applications.

[@timemerson4162]

@@dazecars good to know.

[@dazecars]

​​Let me know if any other questions come up or if I can be of any further assistance. @@timemerson4162

[@jamestregler1584]

If 1 is O K 9 or 10 perfect 🤣

[@dazecars]

I am not sure what you are referring to.

[@jamestregler1584]

@@dazecars forgot inches sorry 😐

[@dazecars]

👍

[@letsemailjoe]

What a great fabrication!

[@dazecars]

If I didn't know that was a compliment, I might think you were calling me a liar. 😂😂😂

[@letsemailjoe]

@@dazecars 🤣 keep up the good work!!!

[@dazecars]

👍

[@Glens1965]

Nice "How To"

[@dazecars]

thanks