I recently convinced my self to buy this Quick Steer Idler and Pitman Arm Kit 1965 - 1966 Mustang - Opentracker Racing Products or similar and was looking for hard numbers of the end result. Even going through the SAAC forum all I found were qualitative results between it and "regular" V8 pitman/idle steering setups. More precise more effort needed. I dont think Ill go with the roller type but i want to make sure and to get a grease-able type.
I have '66 manual steering that is tight all around. 90K mile box with only a hint of slop in the middle. I can take nearly all the weight off the front wheels then twist them and get instant response through everything-its just a bad ratio and hard to stay on top of. At 20:1 the steering wheel spokes look like a fan doing burnout donuts and such. Thumbs in.
So I finally find the Pitman Arm XRR-25479 & Idler Arm XRR-25490-A1A are 1" longer, 6" vs 5". 20% :surprise:
Will that equate to a 20% increase from the steering wheel input to the tires? From 5 turns lock to lock to 4? Cant help but think there is something engineered in im obviously missing.:yoho:
I can't help with that, I have had the kit with the roller on my car since it left the body shop, manual steering like you. Parking is a pain in the *** with the kit, smaller diameter steering wheel and the 235/45 series tires. No issue at all once rolling, I very likely will in time add the EPAS steering just to ease the aggravation of parking.
I'd give you lock to lock but I have things in pieces and the steering wheel is off.
I just put one of these kits in my 66 with a slow:1 box http://forums.vintage-mustang.com/vintage-mustang-forum/1060641-shelby-long-arms.html
I don't have any hard numbers for you but I would say it take about 1/2 a turn from the wheel
I had two autox's to chose from today but didn't go to either ,,Kinda hot out and my shoulder/neck has been bothering the past few days
I dont know how i missed such a recent thread about it, Ive been pondering this since before yours and missed my chance to ask. So plz, go count when you can.:grin2:
Coincidentally maybe, I did read @saaC a convo describing wheel ratio as 3.5 turns, some saying theirs is less.:shrug: This would be about 1/2 a turn less for the quick ratio box but that only equates to a ~15% decrease in wheel travel from 20% longer arms.
Taking 5 turns and reducing 15% leaves 4.25 turns.
I dont know how i missed such a recent thread about it, Ive been pondering this since before yours and missed my chance to ask. So plz, go count when you can.:grin2:
Coincidentally maybe, I did read @saaC a convo describing wheel ratio as 3.5 turns, some saying theirs is less.:shrug: This would be about 1/2 a turn less for the quick ratio box but that only equates to a ~15% decrease in wheel travel from 20% longer arms.
Taking 5 turns and reducing 15% leaves 4.25 turns.
When I pulled into the garage tonight after work I turned and counted 4ish turns lock to lock on the smooth concrete floor.However I'm fairly certain the new longer pitman still hits the drivers side TRI Y .I know the old shorter one did because of the witness marks
The longer pitman arm did not hit the Tri-y headers on the original 65/66 GT350's. If you can find a set that is made right their won't be any interference on your car. BTW, if I were in your shoes I would get the roller bearing version . I added that to the stock quick steering on my '66 GT350. It made the steering smoother, as well as less effort.
Having recently driven both roller and non-roller manual steering cars, I can definitely say that you should get the roller arm. Hell of a lot easier to drive and doesn't leave you hauling on the steering wheel like a gorilla in parking lots. It's even worse when it's summer and you're all sweaty and slipping around on the vinyl as you're trying to turn the dang thing.
If I could get the number of turns lock-to-lock down into the 2.5 range, I'd absolutely go back to manual rollerized steering. The less hydraulics items there are to leak in this car, the better! And with that arm rollerized, it really is quite easy to turn. Alas, 2.5 turns lock-to-lock is only available in racks. And once you've had that kind of quick steer, you never want to go back!
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