Steering rack conversion

[tortron]

Thought you guys may be interested, there has been a few questions about fitting a rack and pinion to these trucks

This is an L200 front end (ram50, mighty max etc)with an L300 steering rack (the mitsubishi van based on the same equipment)
24553
24554

The chassis i dont know, its some kind of hotrod custom. But can give you an idea on parts

[geezer101]

Ooooh, have to check out L300 vans now. The steering linkages in that look scary lol. I'm assuming the entire front cross member from an L300 was used. It won't work in that configuration in a RWD Gen 1 as it'll foul the engine sump and possibly be in the way of the front stabiliser bar etc but it might tuck in between the cross member and transmission. The trick will be getting the steering connecting rod to work off the column.

[geezer101]

Ooooh, have to check out L300 vans now. The steering linkages in that look scary lol. I'm assuming the entire front cross member from an L300 was used. It won't work in that configuration in a RWD Gen 1 as it'll foul the engine sump and possibly be in the way of the front stabiliser bar etc but it might tuck in between the cross member and transmission. The trick will be getting the steering connecting rod to work off the column. The exhaust is right in the line of fire.

[claych]

Thanks again tortron !!!
I have not put My hands on one as Mitsu vans are not, mmmm 'profilic' here in The U.S.:)
However---
!?!From web search, cross member is a self contained suspension 'module' (as it were) & a BOLT IN !?!

[tortron]

The van is based on the truck. so alot of parts can Lego over.
id like to try a duellie rear end from a van in my truck

[Salteen]

wow thats pretty cool! looking for a wider rear end, might try to find a l300 van!!! plus dual wheels = more grip

[AteValve]

I was looking into this as there are a lot of them here in Canada and I'm not too far from a Pajero/Van specialist importer so I can actually get a hold of van parts more easily than truck parts. I think the easiest way to do it would be to swap things spindle to spindle from a lhd 2.6 or turbo diesel RWD model Delica (or other L200 van/L300/L400, they got a lot of names go figure), which though rare do exist, so that not only is the steering meant to go there you can get the much bigger van brakes as well.

The big problem is that these are usually RHD racks that would only work in a North American truck if you either flip it and it still works and bolts in or you convert to RHD. Not an impossible task either way, but not necessarily an easy thing to do either. Fortunately they did come in LHD, and were even sold in the US and Mexico. For now though I'm looking at whether the truck steering box is the same as the one in the Starion/Conquest and what they do, because if it's good enough for a much heavier sports car I figure my little gen-1 should be fine. Especially with manual steering.

As a sidenote, these vans are really good sources for a lot stuff of that that's scarce coming of a Pajero/Montero as they're on either a full or modified (unibody models use our frame as front and rear subframes) version of our platform from 1979 to 2007. For example I'm looking at a 9.0" V6 disc brake rear (likely a 4.625 LSD) rear axle that has a rear swaybar and is till our width from a 2004.

[AteValve]

wow thats pretty cool! looking for a wider rear end, might try to find a l300 van!!! plus dual wheels = more grip

Unfortuneatly if you want wider you still need to go for a later Pajero/Montero. Van rears are the same width, and their duallies are the same as our duallies when they did camper conversions, flat beds, and other cab/chassis builds only with more optional ratios and centre sizes. It might seem weird that our trucks came with duals sometimes but they are at minimum a half tonne and go up to (in Australia at least) a one tonne which is insane.

[Salteen]

i dont need wider, i would just like more tire on the road.

[AlecBB]

Anyone know the ratio of the L300/van steering rack? it would at least be the correct size for the ute, seeing the van is almost the same underneath then it shouldn't have any bump steer issues etc. Just have to fab up a couple mounts for it
Might look into this when I go to the junkyard this week. A manual rack with an electric steering column would be awesome, no more power steering fluid leaks on the driveway!

[AlecBB]

So I checked.....The van rack is about 4.5 turns lock to lock, would be a super slow rack if you used it

[geezer101]

Imagine trying to drive a van with a rapid rack. You'd nearly flip it every time you drove it. So the low ratio rack makes perfect sense. I think maybe an R31 Skyline rack would be closer to the goal. Should be about the right width. Subaru RX/WRX was thrown in there as a possibility (that would mean Forrester etc could be an alternative too) I had the idea of using the electric to hydraulic pump instead of a belt driven pump. This could open up possibilities like being able to adjust steering feedback and response :think: The pump can be hidden somewhere remotely without impacting on engine bay room.

[AlecBB]

I had one for a few years with no power steering, was both the worst and best car I've ever owned. Handled pretty well actually

[claych]

alecBB,
What year van ???
Thx!

[tortron]

i drive my neighbours 2005 one some times, it drives alright tbh (manual column shift in the city is fun)

[claych]

??? alecBB???
What year van ???

[AlecBB]

1989 I think, been a few years since I sold it

[AlecBB]

So here is a possible solution to getting the quicker rack.
It's a steering quickener https://www.ebay.com/itm/401627037673
Put this between the column and the rack with some uni joints and you have a 2.25 turn lock to lock with the van rack.
It also comes in a 1.5 to 1 ratio if 2 to 1 is too much.
Really liking the idea of this now

[geezer101]

^I had no idea such a gadget existed. Nice find! The trick will be getting it to fit in our trucks without too much butchery involved.