I have convinced myself that I want to put a cowl steering setup in my project.So,any good ideas on how to get that done safely?any photos or stories of some do's and don'ts.What are the most commonly used steering boxes?Any and all opinions are welcome here.
Cowl steering
- Thread starter that1car
- Start date
Help Support Rat Rods Rule:
Bonehead
Skull Master
Here is an old link to the same question, see if that covers what you need to know. Ask away if you need more.
http://ratrodsrule.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6704&highlight=cowl+steering
http://ratrodsrule.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6704&highlight=cowl+steering
moronthethrottle
Cross Member
HI BOB
A search pulls up a lot of results. The link to this thread might give you a direction to start out with.
http://www.ratrodsrule.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6704&highlight=cowl+steering
A search pulls up a lot of results. The link to this thread might give you a direction to start out with.
http://www.ratrodsrule.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6704&highlight=cowl+steering
Willowbilly3
A *real* tin magnet
Just step away from the car and take a breath. I have "engineered" cowl steering on my rod and all I can say is AAAAARRRRGGGG!!! It is really a pain in the behind to get everything right.
hillbilly4008
Well-known member
The cowl steering in my truck is made from a willys jeep steering box flipped upside down. Extended the arm out the side of the cown. then Made my own arm out of 1/2 plate steel. Extending the arm out from the box was a pain in the neck, but a little advice from people around here goes far. The major safety issues are making sure your steering box it mounted securly inside your cab, and knowing that your steering arm can handle the stress.
Attachments
hillbilly4008
Well-known member
that goes for alot of things
Thanks for the imput gentlemen.
I have a few ideas on what I would like to do, and how I need to go about it,but just haven't had a chance to see many cowl steering setups in use.I really like the idea of an old sprintcar box, but not sure if that would be sturdy enough for highway use.( I seen a Ross brand that looked alot like the Jeep box that looked like it would work well).If I use a non sprint box and extend the shaft through the cowl, should you use a firewall mount hiem joint or something along them lines for support?I think that I would rather over build the steering than assume that it "might" work.
Hillbilly,that's a good looking setup you ended up with.......very "mechanical",I like it!
I have a few ideas on what I would like to do, and how I need to go about it,but just haven't had a chance to see many cowl steering setups in use.I really like the idea of an old sprintcar box, but not sure if that would be sturdy enough for highway use.( I seen a Ross brand that looked alot like the Jeep box that looked like it would work well).If I use a non sprint box and extend the shaft through the cowl, should you use a firewall mount hiem joint or something along them lines for support?I think that I would rather over build the steering than assume that it "might" work.
Hillbilly,that's a good looking setup you ended up with.......very "mechanical",I like it!
Sniper
Canadian Rust Bucket
In the late 60's and early 70's Gleaner combines (Allis Chalmers brand) had a rather goofy "power steering system" on the E,G, and maybe early F series combines. The steering box was manual, with a hydralic slide valve steering cylinder mounted down at the rear steer axle for the "power part of it". The point being, the manual steering box has a real long sector shaft. Long, as in around 18 inches long. More than enough to get it out past the cowl, and still center up in the cab for the steering column, steering wheel position. I tried to get a picture off the net, but can't seem to come across one. The C, E, or G models would have used this box, it changed right around the F model (early 70's) to a hydralic orbit motor/pump style, so the manual box was eliminated. Even though the age is getting up there, the box will show little to no wear. Combines are only used a couple of weeks per year, certainly not going to wear them out. They are easy to spot, under the cab the floor area was open. A quick look would confirm if you have found one. I've been looking for one myself, just haven't come across one yet. Sniper
hillbilly4008
Well-known member
Your absolutly right. Most all early jeeps used Ross boxes(maybe not the one your talking about, but a version). Later ones went to saginaw. Just for sh1ts and giggles take a look at the steering box on a CJ7 or a Jeepster Commando They may work too if flipped on there side. Certainly a stronger box. I like the idea of using a steering box from a 4x4, the HAVE to be stronger than a car box.
