Author Topic: HELP! Swapping to FF2 Steering Box  (Read 1433 times)

Offline the_engineers

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HELP! Swapping to FF2 Steering Box
« on: December 19, 2009 - 10:48:55 PM »
So, the car is on jack stands right now and I need some help.

Do I need to pull the LCA or the driver's side header or both?

360 with Hooker 5115's.
Brooks

1971 'Cuda 360
2004 Infiniti G35 6-spd Coupe
2001 Toyota Solara Convertible
2002 GMC Savana 1500 Explorer Hightop Conversion
1972 Dodge Dart Swinger...keeping the Slant.  Rocking the turbos.




Offline Bullitt-

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Re: HELP! Swapping to FF2 Steering Box
« Reply #1 on: December 19, 2009 - 11:10:45 PM »
Don't see how the LCA would help...My header would have to come off my small block.
Wade  73 Rallye 340..'77 Millennium Falcon...13 R/T Classic   Huntsville, AL
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Offline the_engineers

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Re: HELP! Swapping to FF2 Steering Box
« Reply #2 on: December 19, 2009 - 11:14:20 PM »
Don't see how the LCA would help...My header would have to come off my small block.
I could drop the box straight down. One of the two has to come out, but I'm not sure which'll be easier to move.
Brooks

1971 'Cuda 360
2004 Infiniti G35 6-spd Coupe
2001 Toyota Solara Convertible
2002 GMC Savana 1500 Explorer Hightop Conversion
1972 Dodge Dart Swinger...keeping the Slant.  Rocking the turbos.

Offline BIGSHCLUNK

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Re: HELP! Swapping to FF2 Steering Box
« Reply #3 on: December 19, 2009 - 11:21:50 PM »
I be doing my box come spring... no plans on moving the LCA eitrher.....  :dunno:
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Offline Bullitt-

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Re: HELP! Swapping to FF2 Steering Box
« Reply #4 on: December 19, 2009 - 11:28:56 PM »
Did you put your headers on?.. I just installed the Hooker standard header & other than removing the starter, & steering link(no biggie), there were no issues at all.   To get the LCA off you need to move the torsion bar back, take loose the lower ball joint & disconnect the strut rod, only then can you start to work at getting the LCA off. I've done both now & would say the header was easier  IF that was all that needed to come off.   
Wade  73 Rallye 340..'77 Millennium Falcon...13 R/T Classic   Huntsville, AL
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Offline dodj

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Re: HELP! Swapping to FF2 Steering Box
« Reply #5 on: December 19, 2009 - 11:49:15 PM »
I just took out my steering box last week - I dropped the header and left the t-bar and lca alone. Although I forgot to drain out some coolant before removing the header bolts so it got a little messy ::)
Remove the nut and gear arm before removing the box from the car - it's easier, ask me how I know :banghead:
Scott
1973 Challenger  440 4 spd 
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Offline the_engineers

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Re: HELP! Swapping to FF2 Steering Box
« Reply #6 on: December 19, 2009 - 11:50:25 PM »
I did put my headers on.  The driver's side dropped in from the top.

So far I've removed or loosened the center link, tie rod, driver's T-bar (I was thinking the LCA was coming out), pitman arm, PS hoses.  Anything else I'm missing?
Brooks

1971 'Cuda 360
2004 Infiniti G35 6-spd Coupe
2001 Toyota Solara Convertible
2002 GMC Savana 1500 Explorer Hightop Conversion
1972 Dodge Dart Swinger...keeping the Slant.  Rocking the turbos.

Offline dodj

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Re: HELP! Swapping to FF2 Steering Box
« Reply #7 on: December 19, 2009 - 11:57:57 PM »
So far I've removed or loosened the center link, tie rod, driver's T-bar (I was thinking the LCA was coming out), pitman arm, PS hoses.  Anything else I'm missing?
Steering column/coupling?
Scott
1973 Challenger  440 4 spd 
2007.5 3500 6.7 Cummins Diesel, Anarchy tuned.
Good friends don't let friends do stupid things. ........alone.

Offline the_engineers

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Re: HELP! Swapping to FF2 Steering Box
« Reply #8 on: December 20, 2009 - 10:46:31 AM »
Yes...just missing from the list  :roflsmiley:
Brooks

1971 'Cuda 360
2004 Infiniti G35 6-spd Coupe
2001 Toyota Solara Convertible
2002 GMC Savana 1500 Explorer Hightop Conversion
1972 Dodge Dart Swinger...keeping the Slant.  Rocking the turbos.

Offline Bullitt-

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Re: HELP! Swapping to FF2 Steering Box
« Reply #9 on: December 20, 2009 - 10:52:07 AM »
When you get the box out check the welds of the mounts to the K-frame, I've read that they can break causing the box to be able to move adding to steering slop.
Wade  73 Rallye 340..'77 Millennium Falcon...13 R/T Classic   Huntsville, AL
Screwed by Photobucket!

Offline the_engineers

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Re: HELP! Swapping to FF2 Steering Box
« Reply #10 on: December 20, 2009 - 10:53:27 AM »
When you get the box out check the welds of the mounts to the K-frame, I've read that they can break causing the box to be able to move adding to steering slop.
Thanks for the reminder.  What about gusseting?  Is there a standard accepted way?
Brooks

1971 'Cuda 360
2004 Infiniti G35 6-spd Coupe
2001 Toyota Solara Convertible
2002 GMC Savana 1500 Explorer Hightop Conversion
1972 Dodge Dart Swinger...keeping the Slant.  Rocking the turbos.

Offline Topcat

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Re: HELP! Swapping to FF2 Steering Box
« Reply #11 on: December 20, 2009 - 11:00:43 AM »
I boxed mine using the same gauge metal. Then beefed the welds.
 Similiar to Firm feels re-inforced K member.
Mike, Fremont, CA.


Offline Bullitt-

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Re: HELP! Swapping to FF2 Steering Box
« Reply #12 on: December 20, 2009 - 11:01:56 AM »
Thanks for the reminder.  What about gusseting?  Is there a standard accepted way?

Read about it, never done it....I'd think that Left Right stresses would be most important so welding a triangle in any open corner would suffice.
Wade  73 Rallye 340..'77 Millennium Falcon...13 R/T Classic   Huntsville, AL
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Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: HELP! Swapping to FF2 Steering Box
« Reply #13 on: December 20, 2009 - 12:08:27 PM »
I added some gussets into my K as well

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Offline 72hemi

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Re: HELP! Swapping to FF2 Steering Box
« Reply #14 on: December 20, 2009 - 12:30:37 PM »
I just checked the movement of my k member when i steering my manual box and it definitely flexes. I am going to reinforce it next weekend to stop the movement.
1972 Dodge Challenger 340 6 Pack 4-speed
1996 Dodge Viper GTS Coupe