One of the truest Ford fanatics we know is our old buddy Frank Bohanan.Frank has a '65 Mustang fastback that he's been working on for some timenow, and the car's performance envelope has been widened considerablyover stock parameters. It has a hot EFI 302 engine connected to an AODautomatic overdrive transmission. A Global West suspension, along withsubframe connectors, works with Firestone Firehawk tires to provide goodhandling control. Frank has gotten to the point where he is interestedin even more precise steering control, and to that end he has chosen toinstall a Total Control Rack and Pinion Steering Kit from Mustangs Plusof Stockton, California. Available in manual- or power-assistedversions, this power-steering version of the kit is well engineered, andthe steering rack installs onto the car in place of the factorycrossmember, which runs beneath the engine oil pan. It maintains thestructural integrity of the car while simply bolting into position, andonly a small amount of modification to the steering column is requiredto complete the installation. Travel with us as we visit the Fordperformance experts at Advanced Engineering West of Ontario, California.AEW owner Robert Nagle will show us just what's involved in getting theTotal Control kit onto the car.
WHAT'S IT COST?
1 Total Control Power Rack and Pinion Steering Kit from MustangsPlus: $2,499
Manual kit: $1,399
Shown here is the power-assist portion of the kit including a KRC pump,bracket, reservoir, lines, and hardware. The brackets are billetaluminum and the pump is top quality. |
This lower steering-column mounting bracket is gimbaled for a preciseinstallation at the floorboard. |
These angled hose-end fittings are included in the kit to complete theneeded hydraulic connections from the pump to the steering rack. |
After pulling the steering wheel, Robert begins the installation of thekit by removing the steering column tube from the car. Remember that theearliest Mustangs have separate plugs for the horn and turn signals.This car also had a Rally-Pac to contend with. |
Underneath the car, the old steering linkage is disconnected everywhere.Here, we remove the large nut retaining the pitman arm. |
In this photo the factory crossmember is removed. It's simply a steeltube with pinched ends. |
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