How to Design and Install a Great Steering System using a 2:1 Quickner and Quick Release

[@marksmith4539]

Keep everything to detail. I would sit here for an hour watching one of your video's to learn every detail you show. Thank you!

[@DIRTRACELIFE]

I appreciate it Mark, I hope one day to be able to upload both versions on some of these. 1- The edited down to a 30 minute episode and 2- The raw couple hours with only minor trimming of dead time so when people want to see some detail or all the process and not just a short snip they can go to that long raw form video and find it. One day bud, I'll figure out how to manage it 😀

[@daletodd4866]

Great content. To answer your question about “too much info”……Not when the content and knowledge is as valuable as this! Keep it up and good luck in this coming race season.

[@DIRTRACELIFE]

Thank you Dale.

[@charleslivengood7483]

The more in depth the better. The details You’re showing is exactly what sets Your channel apart.

[@DIRTRACELIFE]

Thanks Chuck

[@rustysiegman2802]

I train people at work on driving different types of equipment. The motto we use is everyone learns at a different pace. Some people are natural drivers, some are easy learners, some are hands on and some you have to hold their hand. So, with that being said, some need more detail, some are going to say hurry up. I think most of your viewers are going to be new builders and looking for reasons why and how to. Keep them coming and they will get used to it.

[@DIRTRACELIFE]

^^^^^THIS^^^^^ That's some wise insight right there that I appreciate.

[@reedjoseph9923]

Absolutely love the detailed content. Thank again for the time you put in to make these videos. You have taught me a few things.

[@DIRTRACELIFE]

Thanks for the feedback Reed. Sometimes there is just no way for me to reduce these episodes down below 30 to 40 minutes but have all that detail so I need to make a sanity check on the direction we are going with it. Appreciate you watching.

[@reedjoseph9923]

@@DIRTRACELIFE definitely going to help out with some donations here soon to show my support and help keep the videos coming.

[@Darrin_Wyatt]

I can't believe I've just found your channel, I'm setting up a pure stock for the first time for my wife, making it even harder cause im not the racer, but our communication skills are getting better every time she takes it out. Love the video,detail,and ideas.

[@DIRTRACELIFE]

That's awesome. Sounds like we are in the same boat since I am working to get Rachel up to speed as well. Best luck in the racing, and remember, be patient and look for what the car needs to work for her not what would work for you :)

[@DanielBrickert77]

The "alright" at 33:45 was my favorite part. You looked like you were about to laugh for some reason 🤣

[@DIRTRACELIFE]

Ha, you caught me! That should have been edited out. I had turned my camera back on and was going through what was next in my head and getting ready. I missed that in editing :)

[@slimpal1414]

Great content. Keep it up you're the only person I know of doing this much detail in a video

[@DIRTRACELIFE]

Thank you for the feedback. I had to make a sanity check :)

[@juniorwhelchel6337]

I personally love the detailed knowledge

[@DIRTRACELIFE]

Roger that Junior, sometimes I worry I may be dragging stuff out too long so I am always trying to find that right balance.

[@thomassanders6679]

Jason I think your content is great and right on spot for a person learning how to build and fabricate, your doing an awsome job and please dont forget to tell your family thank you from us for the amount of time you dedicate to this build/channel awsome stuff brother

[@DIRTRACELIFE]

Thank you Dale, The family is ready to get to the track too!

[@robertfunderburk4140]

Appreciate the amount of information you’re giving out brother.

[@DIRTRACELIFE]

Thanks Robert, I'm tryin :)

[@markfehrenbach4204]

Keep the details coming. Very interesting content you don't normally see.

[@DIRTRACELIFE]

Thanks for the feedback Mark. Will do.

[@jeffblackwelder6543]

The most impressive part to me is that you are always thinking about maintenance or the removal of parts for later Once again very good content and very well delivered

[@DIRTRACELIFE]

Its a good point Jeff, I guess being a one man show has made me really rethink a lot of this.

[@JamesDedmon]

First of all, the details do take time, however it provides insights in how to build these cars. We may go in different directions but it provides what I call food for thought. A good example is how we built our steering system. On our cars the clearance between the header and the frame is tight, changing spark plugs is a challenge. So in this car we put our quickener closer to the steering wheel in the driver’s compartment. Plus the angles we needed had us flipping our steering bracket upside down for that to work. We had our.quickener outside like you did but the clearance issue was a problem.

[@DIRTRACELIFE]

Thats a good point Mr James. Every build is different and you had to assess the conditions for the car and then come up with the best solution for that car. I talk to alot of folks and I keep saying "don't just copy what I do, it might not be your best solution. Find the best solution for each car" I was always thinking about shocks, springs, and scaling but yeah listening to you, it pretty much applies to everything.

[@jeffblackwelder6543]

On my Chevelle's I have no clearance issue but on the metric chassis I did also.... quickener does work best inside on a metric setup

[@JamesDedmon]

@@DIRTRACELIFE I attended the Racelogic Metric Chassis school this past weekend. That is the biggest thing I carried away was the concepts presented not the actual ideas, to me that’s is what your videos are doing.

[@JamesDedmon]

@@jeffblackwelder6543 follow up, on the CRUSA type cars, and the header choices like the 180 degree like the 602 runs there’s a bunch of clearance. We run stock engine location and stock floor pan and firewall, plus the header already restricts spark plug access. So if you stick that quickener out there beside the engine that’s one more thing to work around

[@dolansontag3731]

Keep your videos how they are jason the details is whats helping me with my own car thanks for what you do

[@DIRTRACELIFE]

Thank you for the feedback Dolan.

[@drby1414]

Dude your building a great safe car . Keep up the awesome content . Nothing is over kill on that car

[@DIRTRACELIFE]

Thanks for the feedback Mark, just wish I was further along on her cause I'm ready to race :)

[@mark4m557]

@@DIRTRACELIFE Your not alone. I got a new limited chassis over the weekend. I’m happy though I don’t have to cut, move, and weld anything. It’s all updated like I wanted.

[@jeffalmekinder2251]

Another great video! I look forward to your videos every week. The more detail the better for me. We are just getting into our second season with street stocks and have learned so much from you. Thank you for all the time you put to the videos.

[@DIRTRACELIFE]

Thank you Jeff, I sure appreciate your support as a sponsor of DRL and letting me know what you are after in these videos.

[@meanerkat4339]

I think the details and explanation of why are great. Other videos just gloss over that stuff. They must assume that everyone knows all this already. Even a person that knows most of this will probably get some good ideas from your videos. So it's not to much info for sure. Keep up the great work and I can't wait to see it on the track.

[@DIRTRACELIFE]

Thanks for the feedback. I like the idea of people not just doing exactly what I do but instead take some ideas away and then invent their own "better way" and if these videos helped with that then we are onto something. Appreciate you watching.

[@michaelluddeni5717]

Hey Jason, I love the details, I just wish there were more close up views on the last half of the steering video, BUT all of the little details you show us ARE important. Thanks for taking the time to teach us, Mike from Daytona Fl.

[@DIRTRACELIFE]

Thats a good point Mike. I am now filmimg at 2.7k instead of just HD where I can zoom but still be clear but during editing I am always cutting cutting cutting and usually its a race against the clock... I should have got closer on a few places. Gotta stay on me to do it right because that video will live on for years and then I'll regret having rushed that part. :)

[@majorsmith8728]

Keep up what your doing it's helping me personally figure out some of the things I can make better on my race car

[@DIRTRACELIFE]

Got it Major. I appreciate the feedback.

[@MrRico6988]

Love the detail it is very informative and helpful as this will help with my asphalt figure 8 as well. I had a quick steer on my car and my little brother took it off to slow my steering down and I fought it from going a whole year with it and then not having it messed me up

[@DIRTRACELIFE]

I know exactly what you are referring to. Now that I am comfortable using 12 to 1 sectors with 2 to 1 quickners I would be lost if I went back. You get a rythem and changing ratio sure messes with it.

[@johnpalmer1359]

Love your content! Binge watching everything.

[@DIRTRACELIFE]

Thanks John, glad you are finding them helpful :)

[@joecollins4368]

Keep up the good work. Just started on the channel and gonna watch them back to back. Need more people out there to take the time to teach so the sport keeps growing. Ty and good luck in the up coming season.

[@DIRTRACELIFE]

Thank you Joe, I sure appreciate you watching.

[@elainealston1401]

Can't wait for the next video!

[@DIRTRACELIFE]

Workin on it!

[@charkatedoug]

Great video the more detail the better.

[@DIRTRACELIFE]

Thank you Al, I sure appreciate your support of what we are doing sir.

[@richardward2352]

keep doing it this way your do a real good job

[@DIRTRACELIFE]

Appreciate the feedback Richard

[@rollrateguy6109]

Awesome stuff as usual. It's getting close my friend!

[@DIRTRACELIFE]

Yes sir, trying hard to get started on chassis paint this weekend!

[@rollrateguy6109]

@@DIRTRACELIFE you can do it!! If I wasn’t in Louisiana I’d be trying to hunt you down to help!

[@DIRTRACELIFE]

Seriously though if I have no disasters we are trying to make the golden egg at the Mag as our first big race. I'm not going to have a ton of motor for that one but its on my bucket list for the year. Hope to make it and maybe to see some of yall fast boys there.

[@robertwilliams3500]

Really like the detailed content Helps a lot and learning lots of new ideas so thank you! 👍

[@DIRTRACELIFE]

Thank you Robert.

[@whoknows3347]

Great content as always.

[@DIRTRACELIFE]

Thank you, appreciate you watching

[@johnnypartain3461]

Perfect detail!

[@DIRTRACELIFE]

Appreciate it Johnny

[@longracing25]

Best build vids ive seen. Great detail, great car, great explaining. Have you thought about editing all into a dvd set? These would be a great set for the newbie to the long time racers that are used to racing junk, and want to build a nice ,fast car. I have still yet to race, im 54, as you know not cheap when you have nothing. I had buddies who raced , one with a terminator stock car(won quite often) i followed around. My pride/ego whatever wouldnt convince me to buy that first starter used car. I wanted a fast car and i wanted to build it. Well, to try to end this...i bought a Iowa chassis shop car, SCS i think metric in 2006. Got it 85%, then we moved and i sold it all. One day soon i want to try street stock and for sure ill keep watching your vids, and donate,....OR MAYBE BUY DVDS,...lol. Thanks, these are the best ive seen .

[@DIRTRACELIFE]

Scott, Thank so much for giving the honest feedback on how it really works for us grass roots racers. I can relate to those experiences as well with how I was in it then out and now back and stronger than ever. It's an expensive sport with a steep learning curve that can sure be frustrating at times. I am hoping at some point to be able to do some videos that for example collaborate all the key points in the build of the 73-77 down into a one hour episode and load it to youtube. I also want to do a one hour condensed video starting from " I have have no idea what's up with this car that just came in my shop" to "I am confident this car will drive well on any track". These are on my list to do at some point but honestly I don't think I will do DVDs to make a profit. When I do get them done they will just go up for free on youtube to help folks and if it's really helpful and there are guys that can afford to help my team in return they can hit the super thank button on that video or join my patreon. It's expensive and the guys on the tightest budgets barely able to afford to get to do what they love just occasionally need the most help in getting every dollar to count the most. I sure don't want to tax them for that. What I would REALLY LOVE to eventually do is figure out how to do a one day get together with a cost set at only enough to cover what we spend on facilities and food (maybe 50 to 100 bucks at most) where we get together and have discussion of all the nuances of making street stocks work well, maybe scale a car together and correct it, some engine tuning, Shocks, bumps, tethers, etc and video it all on live stream for everyone.

[@DaveAdamsMotorsports]

It's good to have the details Jason. Make drawings of it would be good also.

[@DIRTRACELIFE]

I started adding some tech to my website www.dirtracelife.com but man oh man time is my enemy :( Thanks for your continued support Dave I appreciate you.

[@mattbenson9619]

This is great content for me. I recently purchased an old IMCA stock car chassis and I need all the help I can get to build this thing.

[@DIRTRACELIFE]

Glad its helpful Matt, I hope to make plenty more and hopefully get to build an run an imca stocker as well!

[@ericq2474]

Great content. I run a USRA factory stock but the chassis was built 20 years ago. I plan on updating it and will be using the relevant info in some of your build videos when I do. My cars a 112" also.

[@DIRTRACELIFE]

Love that Eric, take some ideas, change them and make them your own new best way. Thats what its all about.

[@codyeberhart8807]

Where do you race at I just moved up to Southern sport mod from usra factory stock

[@robynwells6230]

I enjoy your videos you do good work good Craftsman

[@DIRTRACELIFE]

I think there are professionals that do emmensly better work but sure try to show how to get good results with just typical mam cave tools and equipment. Thank you sir!

[@robynwells6230]

Yeah I'm going to build a 81 Monte Carlo and I'm going to save 76 later

[@jaythomas7736]

Great video. Great detail!

[@DIRTRACELIFE]

thanks Jay

[@team44racing]

Love the details ,,, thank you again for the great videos!! You make it look so easy sir!

[@DIRTRACELIFE]

Appreciate it Pebo.

[@lucaslouder2788]

This content was extremely helpful cause I have a imca stock carvi have alot of updates to do on it specifically this one

[@DIRTRACELIFE]

Thats awesome Lucas, glad its useful to you.

[@lucaslouder2788]

@@DIRTRACELIFE its a old car but still a darn good chassis plus since it's so close to race season I don't wanna bother my buddies tryin to finish there and of course everything is on back order cause I am tryin to use new parts on some

[@sc358.]

On your next car I'd highly recommend the seat being mounted off the door bars (still supported elsewhere but designed to move on impact). That way when you get hit really hard in the door, you move and don't get crushed. You've shared some pretty cool tips throughout this car. Thought those foot cups and the way you build for the nose was pretty damn slick 👍

[@DIRTRACELIFE]

I was trying to accomplish that with the way the floor is channeled and tied into the bars but it can be better and will try to improve that design on the next one.

[@jimmyviaiii803]

Another great video Jason. I also will add that I look forward to your videos. Soon I'll be doing the steering on my car. I have already collected the steering wheel, collapsible steering shaft, quick steer, steering shaft, and u-joints. Question is since I already have the collapsible steering shaft, do I need the steering shaft from the quick steer to the steering box to be able to slide as well?

[@DIRTRACELIFE]

Jimmy, the rule is anywhere you have a u-joint you have to have a way for it to give. If you have splines on your quickner you may be able to use the collar - spline as a slip point. One thing is for sure two solid points with an angled u joint between them and no way to slip is a recipe for a bind.

[@daletodd4866]

Not too much detail if you’re wanting to learn and be competitive! Thanks for the content and keep the good work. Best of luck.

[@DIRTRACELIFE]

Thanks for the feedback Dale. I needed a sanity check on how deep to go and I am hearing loud and clear this level is what we are after.

[@tuckerbyrdracing3571]

I’ve drove latemodles, factory stocks, street stock, modifieds pretty much everything lol. Everytime I get in another car I automatically find the neutral position in the brake bias then roll it two rounds to the rear and leave it. Then I’ll either flip the rf on or off haha! other than that I can say I never have touched a brake bias gauge!

[@DIRTRACELIFE]

That's real close to me too on the starting point. I always start with a couple rounds of rear in it. . . . .Usually it about 4 rounds though. Sometimes it stays close to that but it seems like I always end up back toward neutral or sometimes a couple rounds toward the front before its over. (if it''s really slick).

[@TheHighDesertLife]

Love detail keep it up

[@DIRTRACELIFE]

Thanks man, BTW I had an 87 Ranger for years. My son called it the "Danger Ranger" yeah we flogged it pretty regular. :)

[@TheHighDesertLife]

@@DIRTRACELIFE heck yeah , race car seasons coming so rangers are out and I started on the sport compact yesterday and my hobby stock will be going in next week and I'll start making videos again , you have gave me a ton of ideas and I gotta get to work to have it ready by end of April

[@nicholasherndon574]

Great video!! Question where did you get your seat? I'm on the big boy side as well. Help lol 😂

[@DIRTRACELIFE]

I REALLY like the Kirkey 88 Series seat and that's what I use and what I found used for my daughter as well. There are plenty of dealers for the Kirkey seats both race shops and online. Here is the link for Southwest Speed's Amazon store showing them amzn.to/3ZeV6Bi

[@MFR327]

Ik im over 2 years late to the video. but we are installing our steering system into a Latemodle and i was wondering a few things. #1 is it worth having a steering stabilizer like you put into your Street Stock since the car did not have one in it? #2 When is comes to the steering mount arm you got how did it hold up over the course of the season and was there any problem's with movement in the arm itself? #3 When we bought the car is came race ready but the way they currently done the fire wall results in the steering being way to low for me. Other then just moving the steering rod mount and cutting a taller hole in the fire wall, is there a way to add extra height in the steering shaft without messing up all the angles from our steering rack to the wheel? Like i said ik im late but going through and watching your videos have been a life saver for me with my first time going through and starting from bare frame to get the car how i like it.

[@DIRTRACELIFE]

A couple points here. You just need to make sure the shafts don't move side to side at all because that will feel like slack in the steering and will slow the driver down. ideally the last support is fairly close to the steering wheel (within 6"s) to give the best support. I have zero wear in this setup after two years of use on the orange car. You may be surprised how much you can raise the steering wheel by just slotting the hole through the firewall an additonal 1/2" up. The amount raised at the firewall is multiplied several times at the steering wheel.

[@robynwells6230]

I'm fixing add-on to my shop

[@DIRTRACELIFE]

I think no matter how big its never enough! I have WAY outgrown my little 28x36 shop but dou Ling it's size it just beyond me right now for sure.

[@jeremy8169]

Great job on the details, how do you set up the brake bias handle?

[@DIRTRACELIFE]

I have it in and am showing it in the next video Jeremy. It is in a rh side panel.

[@aaronwilke2312]

The way your design clocks the the u-joint just before the steering quickener will cause the u-joint at the box to always be out of phase at the box and will cause binding. to keep the steering shaft u-joints in phase with no binding you will need to modify your shaft design.

[@DIRTRACELIFE]

Aaron, There is no clocking the phase because the u joints are separated by a gear ratio drive. No matter what as you turn the shaft and it passes through the quickner, the two will move at different ratios and the alignment will change. There are two options here for how to build this and you are suggesting one of the two with me showing the other. If both of the u-joints are on one side of the quickner then clocking them is is important. Although a slip is still required, it minimizes movement. In this scenario where the quickner is in line with the steering shaft and no u-joint exists, the bearings need no ability to float the shaft. It won't have any movement. That is what you appear to be suggesting and I agree its a good system. It's how I set up my camaro and it works fine. For this build I was looking for much better driver compartment adjustment for potential future drivers without the complexity of having to change where and how the quickner is bolted down. This second option design I went with gives me the best driver adjustability by having the shaft coming from the u-joint. The caveat to this is the shaft needs to be able to float and I showed this need and in my setup, it does float and is smooth as warm butter. Both styles work great and I sure appreciate you bringing out these details because although I can't run on forever in these videos it's helpful for folks to understand every option and what's required to make them work and at least we're getting it covered here in the comments. Thank you and I appreciate the feedback, it makes a difference.

[@leonchartier5702]

There was a BAD wreck at Lebanon Valley speedway NY. A guy in the street stocks had a solid non-collapsible solid shaft with only one joint at the box. He hit the pit gate HARD out of turn 4 and the whole steering assembly went straight back into his chest/face. It was bad, I feel like the tech guys should've caught this. We've always had a minimum of 2 joints.

[@DIRTRACELIFE]

For me I want the slip joint as well. I think having that breaking angle is the critical component that is a must have. Whether its one u joint and a rag joint at the box or two u joints its still most important to have the angle in the length where if you do fold a clip up you are giving the shaft an angle at a joint along the way to fold into. The idea of a steering wheel shoved into me or any else is not cool at all.

[@robynwells6230]

Which one would you Bill

[@DIRTRACELIFE]

Definitely the 73-77 is my favorite but I plan to build a metric starting this fall.

[@robynwells6230]

I have 5 mythic cars and 1973 Monte Carlo

[@DIRTRACELIFE]

I do love the 73-77s! My first street stock was a 75 Montecarlo and of course this one is a 73 Lemans which is the same as well.

[@robynwells6230]

I ain't race since 1976 I'm on build Pure stock

[@DIRTRACELIFE]

Best driving cars by far in a purely stock steering and suspension class.

[@61Merc]

A++++++

[@DIRTRACELIFE]

Thank ya sir

[@timcox2673]

Hey bud I'm completely new to racing and trying to build a pure stock so I ABSOLUTELY LOVE your videos for one main reason and that's because you actually take the time to explain how to do it (STEP BY STEP) So please keep the step by step videos coming! Thank you for all the time you take outta your personal time to make these videos! Ty. And are you on Facebook? If so Id like to add you for alot of ?s I have. Again thanks a lot

[@DIRTRACELIFE]

hey Tim, thanks for watching and yes I have a "Dirt Race Life" FB page that should come right up!