Rack & pinion installs on Studebakers

[wolfie]

Someone in Tn offers a set-up to install R&P in a Stude. He used to run an ad in TW promoting this system. I think I know who he is but need to check into it before I say so publically. I saw a Hawk on a trailer in Va about a year ago that he had just finished and it looked great. Its owner had the swap done for reasons similar to what you quote. Steve

[jclary]

All my Studebakers have R&P steering...problem is that in my case the R&P means "Ramble and Pray!"

[christineman]

how can I find that thread

[wolfie]

Hi Christineman, I found the ad in a back issue of TW. The company is Slick Street stuff for rods and customs. They are in Knoxville Tn. The phone listed in the ad is 865-525-6151. The system in the Hawk looked very proffessional and was designed for a heavy car, much better than most conversions I have seen. Good Luck, Steve

[PackardV8]

Je

ff, I'd be willing to bet that if you got the front end of your Lark in top condition, added factory power steering, and spent the rest of the time, effort and money you would have invested in that R&P job it the rest of the Lark you would wind up with a REALLY nice car that would you be even happier with than with just the R&P conversion.

X2 on this advice. Again, please do your research. There are several threads here discussing R&P in general and the Slick Street in particular. It is not a step to be taken in haste. Don't just read about it. It would be a good investment to drive or fly to meet someone who had done EXACTLY the conversion you are considering and drive his car.

jack vines

[sbca96]

Isnt slick street the same company as Phantom .. they jsut split and Phantom sells interior
pieces and slick street sells the suspension stuff?

Maybe I am wrong on that, but I seem to remember reading it.

Tom

[Jeff T.]

Imagine my suprise when I saw this four year old thread pop back up to the top

Looked into rack & pinion steering for my Lark. I decided it was not worth the time and effort.

Jeff T.

[sbca96]

Its a GOOD sign, that means people are using the SEARCH feature!

Tom

[mrobertweiss]

Dave thibeault sells all you need to retrofit a later model stude power steering sytem. It works quite well. The problem I have had is that the later model lark and avanti stuff has some fitment issues, but only if you contemplate additional mosifications. The steering bellcrank on the PS setup is a long arm that runs roughly parallell in front of the radiator and it's bracket, so its really close. Any fan, shroud or radiator mods will impact this choice. Also, the sliding valve assembly and hoses and pitman arm can be very close to exhaust pipes, and impinge on R3 headers, if you contemplate any exhaust manifold changes. I wish I couldve use dR and P on my latest project with twin turbos, it wouldve given me much more room at the steering box.I judged the R&P too be just too much hassle.

Harger/slick street/phantom system requires alot of fabrication skills, and bump steer remains an issue for many people. Thanks, m weiss

[sweetolbob]

Don't forget that Jerry Forrester put a late GM R&P in his. And best of all he is a forum member that can talk about the issues involved.

He has some pictures posted on the forum so you may want to search under his name and R&P.

Bob

[mbstude]

Isnt slick street the same company as Phantom .. they jsut split and Phantom sells interior
pieces and slick street sells the suspension stuff?

Maybe I am wrong on that, but I seem to remember reading it.

Tom

Rene Harger sold the Phantom name and interior company, he is not affiliated with Phantom Autoworks anymore. Before he sold it, he also had "Slick Street Stuff" selling hot rod stuff for Studes. He continues to operate Slick Street Stuff, and a new interior company, "Southeast Studebaker".

[Bob Andrews]

Another thread on the subject:

http://forum.studebakerdriversclub.com/showthread.php?30573-Rack-and-Pinion-Steering&highlight=rack+pinion

[christineman]

you mentioned the closed thing to a bolt in was a 85 skylarkR&P. do you know of anyone who has used this and installed it I can contact???

[Paul Keller]

Don't forget that Jerry Forrester put a late GM R&P in his. And best of all he is a forum member that can talk about the issues involved.

He has some pictures posted on the forum so you may want to search under his name and R&P.

Bob

Jerry,
Could not find the last thread where I promissed info on the CTO rear mount R&P. One available is from Total Control Products - It appears to be an excellent fit for Stude's. One drawback - It is priced @ $2,095 (power - 1895 manual); too rich for me. Perhaps someone can identify the source for the rack (possibly Europe or Australia?).
Paul Keller

[Jerry Forrester]

It is priced @ $2,095

I don't think they'll be selling many of those to the Studebaker owners.

(possibly Europe or Australia?).

Then that would be RHC. Wont work for me.

Here's a couple pix of my installation.

More detailed pix here.

http://community.webshots.com/slideshow/551236383cfruwd?mediaPosition=40