How To Make Custom Steering Extension For Cowl Steering - Ford Free T - Ep. 17

Today we finish up our custom cowl steering setup with the steering extension and pitman arm. We wanted to make the extension strong but not large and bulky. Follow along for the full process and the final finished prodcut. Thanks for watching! Be sure to like and subscribe to keep track of all of our builds and adventures.
Tools Used -
Dewalt Portable Band Saw
Eastwood Mini Metal Saw - www.eastwood.c...
Smithy Mill Lathe Combo
Eastwood Tig 200 Digital
Eastwood TIG 200 Digital Welder- www.eastwood.c...
Eastwood True Color XL View Welding Helmet- www.eastwood.c...
Victory Oxy Acetylene Torch Set
Wilton Power Arm

[@henryg683]

He also has big milling bits for drill press for heavy iron looked like it went through steel like butter

[@jamesford2942]

Another way to attach the extension and keep it small is to drill and tap the end of the sector shaft and use a grade 8 bolt to hold it on.

[@kapekodbob]

I learned a trick while doing home alignment that a couple pieces of floor tiles under each front wheel makes the turning much easier.

[@johnmarking5588]

Man your dog looks just like my dog. Awesome work .

[@IronTrapGarage]

Thanks for watching!

[@1967davethewave]

The AAR 'Cudas and T/A Challengers used a longer pitman arm and idler arm to quicken up the steering. It was very effective.

[@TravelBackroads]

That's some next level stuff there. Nice going, it looks great. Thanks for sharing this.

[@IronTrapGarage]

Thank you! It took a lot of planning and time to make the parts all jive, but we're really happy how it came out too! -Matt/ITG

[@BoxcarsGarage]

Another milestone down...great job. And the puppy's back in the shop...good deal all around!

[@IronTrapGarage]

Boxcar's Garage it’s finally warm enough that he can hang in or outside the shop. During the summer he usually is around the whole time we are working. He is our acting supervisor!!! -Mike/ITG

[@davidmellott5049]

Mike, you make a very good fitter.

[@Dylan2manyprojectshill]

Great video makes me wanna do cowl steer! Keep the videos and updates coming guys! All the projects are looking awesome

[@IronTrapGarage]

We support the decision to do cowl steering! Thanks for watching all of our crazy project -Mike/ITG

[@JayWSmith]

Great video!

[@Alaskadirtfishing]

Are going to produce that set up for others. Real clean look.

[@IronTrapGarage]

Bucket List Metal Detecting this is a one off sort of design. Each application is going to be a little different. We were able to mount the box like we did due to the box tubing we used to brace/hold the cowl in place. -Mike/ITG

[@jeremyhanna3852]

That is some great work gentlemen I had to come up with a custom pitman arm for a 50 Buick to update it to power steering was not easy

[@IronTrapGarage]

Thanks for watching Jeremy! -Matt/ITG

[@markengle2199]

Thanks for posting this. Building one for my model t now. Where did you get the harden pins.

[@fritz31847]

This setup is going to have scary bump steer

[@GarryFullerSr]

Very Nice.

[@TrailBusterBrute1]

Good steering geometry dictates that the drag link should match the arc of the steering arm to reduce bump steer in drag link applications. Yours looks pretty good from what I can tell in the photos.Was this considered in your design? Also, I 'd love to see Matt tig weld while the camera is behind a shaded lens. Loved this vid, keep them coming!

[@TrailBusterBrute1]

Excuse me, not steering arm. I mean the radius rods.

[@IronTrapGarage]

Hi, Great point to mention! Yes I always try and design my stuff to have a nearly level drag link and it should match the wishbone angle closely as well. It's a lot of standing back and looking to get it all close and then dialing it in with the angle finder. I still need to make the wishbone mounts, but they are wired up to the height/angle they will be fixed at. I'm waiting on the new front tires to set the final wishbone angle/mounting points. Thanks for the comments, that was a great point to mention!

[@michaelguinn5736]

Afternoon Matt, wow, a video of yours that I haven't seen yet?? Matt, do you like the clear Tig cup?

[@IronTrapGarage]

They work well but are fragile as expected

[@trenzmeister]

nice job....I did something like that back in the seventys on my race car..yours looks much better

[@IronTrapGarage]

Thank you Truman, definitely not a new idea, just trying to put my spin on stuff! -Matt/ITG

[@jeffvineyard5450]

What brand and model is your lathe/mill in this video. That thing looks super handy.

[@barnyardgarage]

Awesome work!!!, Now who's gonna push who around the yard?...lol

[@henryg683]

I have seen a guy using a skillsaw to cut thick steel like that steering arm it seemed to do a good job of it something to think about for future projects??

[@motorv8N]

Great fabricating guys! Matt the look on your face when doing your first lock to lock steer says it all. Congrats! Hey, BTW - what are the names of the tunes at 6:39 and 14:29? Awesome riffs!

[@IronTrapGarage]

Heck yea, that was a big moment! Thanks for watching! -Matt/ITG

[@robertironside3166]

Extra length on that pitman pushes the car up at the top of the radius of the turn lol Never take your hand off the wheel while that suckers moving lmao

[@millhouse76]

"So....holy shit" haha

[@IronTrapGarage]

Matt was a little excited! We will be cruising in no time! Thanks for watching. -Mike/ITG

[@dsinclairTUBE]

Nice job! Keep up the good work. Also - I know it's a dog - but I alway put my dog out when I'm welding - Maybe it's stupid...

[@IronTrapGarage]

Dave Sinclair we usually try to keep him away when first starting the arc, he usually doesn’t seem to care much. When we are doing heavy grinding or using the plasma we keep him outside! If and when they design puppy welding goggles Moon will have a set!!! -Mike/ITG

[@CardinalSpeed]

this car is really looking incredible. I may have missed it, but what is the original size of the nut that holds the pitman arm to the box?

[@IronTrapGarage]

The nut was originally 1’” 5/16” we machined it down to 1” 1/4”. I cannot remember the amount that we took off each side of the nut. I wanna say it was .080 (roughly) off each of the 6 sides. Thanks -Mike/ITG

[@vncemassa9305]

what kind of saw balde are you using to cut your metal?

[@larrylaing5339]

Where is Mat's shop. Ehat area of the country

[@IronTrapGarage]

Eastern Pennsylvania.

[@vaioskaliakoudas6388]

When will you release a new episode of the Sweet Heart Roadster???

[@IronTrapGarage]

Vaios Kaliakoudas We are working on a new episode currently! Hopefully we will have it uploaded in the next few weeks

[@chrisporter6187]

Bitchin! keep em coming boys.

[@IronTrapGarage]

Thanks for watching!! -Mike/ITG

[@shoelessb4515]

This was a painful process. Hopefully you guys have got a plasma cutter by now.

[@TheMot616]

Sometimes, I would like to hear you guys talking back and forth 😐