Aftermarket steering columns

[honeybadger]

Hi all -

Didn't see anything on this yet - so hoping to start a discussion. Has anyone installed an aftermarket steering column? I do not plan to retain the stock steering column and mount, so looking for aftermarket options. I'd like to reuse my existing Sparco wheel and NRG quick release, but open to options. I see options that only cost a couple hundred and then stuff like the Woodward Steering kits http://www.woodwardsteering.com/PDF/8. Safety Steering Columns and Quick Releases.pdf

 

[flyhalf]

Talk to Dylan. I saw he installed one i think.

 

[honeybadger]

Talk to Dylan. I saw he installed one i think.

He got the woodward - just doing my due diligence before I commit to anything

 

[flyhalf]

He got the woodward - just doing my due diligence before I commit to anything

 

[blacksheep-1]

That is a decent product, I've never seen one in a mustang but the stock car guys around here like them.

 

[navseng]

I have a sweet mfg column in my race car which is more or less the same as woodward.. What's the question?

 

[navseng]

Old mustang but its no different.. All you need is to do a firewall bearing and some sort of support from the dash bar. My column ends before the fire wall, then a u joint and regular 3/4 steering shaft passes through the fire wall. This way it can adjusted if needed, though mine is more or less fixed.

 

[navseng]

Here is the other side of the fire wall, regular 3/4 shaft as I was saying so there is a bearing in the firewall that holds that part fixed.

 

[blacksheep-1]

like the illustration, having 2 joints in the column will also insure it will collapse on impact, I know it's a "safety" column, but before these came along, the smart guys ran 2 joints.

 

[honeybadger]

Old mustang but its no different.. All you need is to do a firewall bearing and some sort of support from the dash bar. My column ends before the fire wall, then a u joint and regular 3/4 steering shaft passes through the fire wall. This way it can adjusted if needed, though mine is more or less fixed.

View attachment 83995

So if I understand right, this setup has two joints (one before firewall and one after)? That's ideal, IMHO.

What brand is yours? Do you remember by chance?

 

[navseng]

So if I understand right, this setup has two joints (one before firewall and one after)? That's ideal, IMHO.

What brand is yours? Do you remember by chance?

Yes , it's really a 3 joint system if you include the connection from the rack to the steering servo. But most would just need two unless you use a remote servo power rack like I have. This is what I have in the firewall, simple bearing that allows quite a bit of misalginment:

Firewall Flange Bearing for 3/4 inch Steering Shaft - Pegasus Auto Racing Supplies

If you need to support your 3/4" OD steering shaft without welding or fabricating, our bolt-on bearing may be the answer! The bearing can be tilted up to 25 degrees relative to the firewall.

www.pegasusautoracing.com

Here is the column and it shows that style firewall bearing as well :

Adjustable Steering Columns & Hardware

 

[Stan Whitney]

On the C5 race car we built in 2004 coleman racing made this mount. I can't find it any more, I liked the triangulation and easy dash tube mount. Check out the mechanical roller throttle pedal, it worked surprisingly well for adding smoothness.

 

[honeybadger]

Old mustang but its no different.. All you need is to do a firewall bearing and some sort of support from the dash bar. My column ends before the fire wall, then a u joint and regular 3/4 steering shaft passes through the fire wall. This way it can adjusted if needed, though mine is more or less fixed.

View attachment 83995

Unrelated note - what did you end up doing for a trans cooler on that HGT? It needs an external pump as well, right?

 

[navseng]

Unrelated note - what did you end up doing for a trans cooler on that HGT? It needs an external pump as well, right?

I have a stack oil cooler setup that I am going to use for my diff / trans (i got this with a different race box I bought so I am not sure the specifics, used nascar stuff). Probably mount it through the floor somewhere and feed with naca ducts.

I plan on using a Tilton pump and just having it kick on / off at specified temps.

 

[honeybadger]

Justed wanted to update that I've got my aftermarket setup installed. Actual install was pretty easy and straightforward once I got the parts list together. Thanks @navseng for the lead on sweet manufacturing. I assembled a kit from Pitpal - cost was about $650 all in.

Sweet manufacturing column saves over 15lbs compared to OEM. Only reuses OEM EPAS and the ujoint that connects the shaft to the steering rack. Steering rack structure start at the top is sweet manufacturing adjustable steering column to adapter (spline to smooth 3/4 DOM tubing) to 3/4 DOM tubing through firewall flange bearing to u joint. U Joint adapter 3/4 tubing to DD rod. DD rod at OEM ujoint needs to be modified to fit - basically ground flat on one side and then recess for bolt on the other.




Here's my Pit Stop parts list:

Sweet 1-Hole Black Aluminum Column Clamp SKU: SWE405-10205 Quantity: 1 Final Price: $24.97 Status: New​

Sweet 6-3/8" Black Aluminum Dash Bracket - (Pair) SKU: SWE405-10215 Quantity: 1 Final Price: $93.97 Status: New​

Sweet Firewall Flange Bearing SKU: SWE405-50003 Quantity: 1 Final Price: $31.97 Status: New​

Allstar Performance Seamless D.O.M. Steering Shaft - 5 Ft. Length x 3/4" SKU: ALL22190 Quantity: 1 Final Price: $27.99 Status: New​

Sweet Steering Coupler - 3/4"- 20 Spline x 3/4" Smooth - Sweet Column, Woodward, Allstar SKU: SWE301-30160 Quantity: 1 Final Price: $13.97 Status: New​

ididit Shaft 3/4 DD - 18" SKU: IDI3000409418 Quantity: 1 Final Price: $36.00 Status: New​

Sweet 18" Collapsible Steering Column SKU: SWE405-10001 Quantity: 1 Final Price: $290.97 Status: New​

Sweet Steering Universal Joint 3/4" DD x 3/4 Smooth SKU: SWE401-50619 Quantity: 1 Final Price: $74.97 Status: New​