Rack and pinion for Toyota IFS?

[Bamamav]

I searched but didn't really find the answer I'm looking for. I've got an mid 80's Toyota frame under my truck. I'm going to run fenderless and want to keep the IFS. A straight axle might look better, but I want the ride and handling of the IFS. The thing I don't like though, is where the stock Toyota steering box mounts, on the top front of the frame. It's a front steer, so I'd like to find a rack and pinion that will work with the stock Toyota spindels. That way, it would be mostly hidden by the grill shell bottom. If there's not a R&P that will work, I'd like some ideas for a steering box that will sit lower, maybe inside the frame.

I had thought about just reversing sides of the spindels and converting it to a rear steer, but I'm afraid that would screw up the caster built into the spindels. The steering arms bolt on, but I can't put them on the rear because of the calipers in the way unless i was to space them out the thickness of the calipers. And then the Ackerman angles would have to be changed, so it's not that simple.

Any ideas? I'm open to any and all sugggestions....

 

[echnidna]

I've got a mid 80's toyo chassis too. I intend to relocate the steering box behind the axle line. Put another idler arm where the steering box was fitted so that the tie rods remain in front of the axle line. This will maintain factory steering geometry. I am thinking of reversing the pitman arm then fit one new push/pull steering arm at the front wheel to use as a push pull from the steering box. It's a while since I looked at the frame and nutted this out but I don't foresee any real big problems apart from either making 1 new push/pull steering arm or finding something suitable that will bolt on.

 

[sneakysnake]

Thats the problem that S10's have too. I know they make a rack/pin for them but they are pricey.Might look into how its done and may help in your quest.

 

[Bamamav]

I've got a mid 80's toyo chassis too. I intend to relocate the steering box behind the axle line. Put another idler arm where the steering box was fitted so that the tie rods remain in front of the axle line. This will maintain factory steering geometry. I am thinking of reversing the pitman arm then fit one new push/pull steering arm at the front wheel to use as a push pull from the steering box. It's a while since I looked at the frame and nutted this out but I don't foresee any real big problems apart from either making 1 new push/pull steering arm or finding something suitable that will bolt on.

If I'm reading what you say correctly, it sounds like the way a stock 53 Studebaker is set up. On them, the steering box is mounted to the frame way back just under the column. It has a draglink from the pittman arm up to a triangle that pivots. Both tie rods are attached to the triangle so that when one pulls, the other pushes, thus moving the wheels left or right. The Stude is a rear steer, but I can see how it would work the same in a front steer like the Toyota setup. It sounds like a good idea, I'll just have to hash it out and see if it's as good as it sounds....

I'd probably use heim ends and make new tie rods if I go that route. Would have to come up with something for the center pivot on the triangle though.