Nice project. A few 'for what it's worth' things: You can also use an adapter on the steering shaft, like a double d type, if you have enough shaft, which you do. Instead of the solid weld. They make a vibration damening u-joint because going from the super-soft stock joint to u-joint means more shock up the column. And, to adjust for too long a shaft, first see if it is telescoping. With those you can just tap it in to your liking.
Thanks Derek! Yes, I am not a fan of the factory ones, I know they work, but a bit cumbersome and too many internal parts for my taste. Thanks for staying with me Sir!
My dad just had the original coupler come apart doing a burnout ended up in the ditch luckily it slid slowly down but yeah it's getting rid of the worthless factory junk. I did this conversion 3 years ago best upgrade.
They are not called rag joints those are actually made from rubber the steering coupler it's correct name is rebuildable there are rebuild kits with shoes and metal flat spring the advantage of the coupler is it moves in and out with the flex of the body and has the master spline cut in for alignment as does the splines on top of the steering column for steering wheel....the solid universal has no in and out play but there are plastic pins in column shaft that will break in the event of an accident saving your chest from injury.... A collapsible column.... Good job getting the slop out of the steering.
You are a wealth of information Sir! I know I have heard people call them rag joints. I do believe you that it is incorrect, the name would make sense for it to be rubber or a softer material with the rag name. My bad! 😂 Thanks Moparnut!
Whats up Ruben! Yeah, it wansn't too bad, just took a few hrs. Getting the old one off was a huge pain in the ass though. Hopefully it all works out once it is assembled. 👍
Thanks Ninjapumkin! Haha, yes super expensive hanger. Nice Big tree plus a piece of rope. It worked out pretty well, going to have to use that approach more often. 😁
Hey, I have a question. The large pin in the shaft is it a punch pin like the pins in the coupler? I am working on a 71 Cuda. And I am not sure how that pin comes out.
Is that the original steering gear? I upgraded to the Flaming River manual steering, but the universal joint required drilling and pressing in a sleeve.
Hi Acardiac, yes it is the original steering gear. Super heavy bastard too. It seems ok without opening it up, hopefully no issues. I want to say the car only had like 40k-60k original miles. Not sure what they were expected to last. I am not familiar with the flaming river ones. Drilling and pressing in a sleeve sounds like a pain. 😂
Hi Chris, Thanks for watching! Yeah, that stock one is a beast. I saw the Borgeson ones, they are sweet, but pretty expensive. If I had to buy one I would consider the upgrade, but since this one technically should work I have stayed with it. Thanks for the comment!!
Absolutely, I am very safety conscious. I also have another month to work out the bugs before going on a road trip. Still a lot to do, but there is some buffer if I am behind.
Nice project. A few 'for what it's worth' things: You can also use an adapter on the steering shaft, like a double d type, if you have enough shaft, which you do. Instead of the solid weld.
They make a vibration damening u-joint because going from the super-soft stock joint to u-joint means more shock up the column.
And, to adjust for too long a shaft, first see if it is telescoping. With those you can just tap it in to your liking.
I like that upgrade. I've seen several people convert to this, looks to be a much better option than the factory part.
Thanks Derek! Yes, I am not a fan of the factory ones, I know they work, but a bit cumbersome and too many internal parts for my taste. Thanks for staying with me Sir!
My dad just had the original coupler come apart doing a burnout ended up in the ditch luckily it slid slowly down but yeah it's getting rid of the worthless factory junk. I did this conversion 3 years ago best upgrade.
Hi Karls Racing, thanks for watching! Wow, glad he was ok, sounds scary. Awesome, glad to know it worked well for you!
Do you have a part # four the Universal steering coupler
They are not called rag joints those are actually made from rubber the steering coupler it's correct name is rebuildable there are rebuild kits with shoes and metal flat spring the advantage of the coupler is it moves in and out with the flex of the body and has the master spline cut in for alignment as does the splines on top of the steering column for steering wheel....the solid universal has no in and out play but there are plastic pins in column shaft that will break in the event of an accident saving your chest from injury.... A collapsible column.... Good job getting the slop out of the steering.
You are a wealth of information Sir! I know I have heard people call them rag joints. I do believe you that it is incorrect, the name would make sense for it to be rubber or a softer material with the rag name. My bad! 😂 Thanks Moparnut!
@@DustorBust just figured you'd want to know.
@@moparnut6286 definitely. I hate it when I misspeak. Vocabulary updated, won't screw that one up again! Thanks buddy!
I have all new factory steering and coupler parts and there is still play inside the coupler. I'd like to make thus upgrade also. 🤘
Whats up Ruben! Yeah, it wansn't too bad, just took a few hrs. Getting the old one off was a huge pain in the ass though. Hopefully it all works out once it is assembled. 👍
That is an interesting option
How much you pay for the parts hanger in the yard 🤷♂️. Great job man
Thanks Ninjapumkin! Haha, yes super expensive hanger. Nice Big tree plus a piece of rope. It worked out pretty well, going to have to use that approach more often. 😁
Hey, I have a question. The large pin in the shaft is it a punch pin like the pins in the coupler? I am working on a 71 Cuda. And I am not sure how that pin comes out.
Yes, it is pressed in and is terrible to remove. Heat plus pressing and a lot of swear words. Good luck!
Is that the original gear box? are an upgrade?
I sold a '69 GTS Dart convertible because I could not get the cover on the factory coupler, wish that U joint was available then.
😂 Hey Mike, yeah, I just don't like the factory style. Too many pieces.
Those Dart convertibles are hard to find nowadays. Sweet cars.
Is that the original steering gear? I upgraded to the Flaming River manual steering, but the universal joint required drilling and pressing in a sleeve.
Hi Acardiac, yes it is the original steering gear. Super heavy bastard too. It seems ok without opening it up, hopefully no issues. I want to say the car only had like 40k-60k original miles. Not sure what they were expected to last. I am not familiar with the flaming river ones. Drilling and pressing in a sleeve sounds like a pain. 😂
They also make a power steering gear that's way smaller and lighter than the stock beast ;-)
Hi Chris, Thanks for watching! Yeah, that stock one is a beast. I saw the Borgeson ones, they are sweet, but pretty expensive. If I had to buy one I would consider the upgrade, but since this one technically should work I have stayed with it. Thanks for the comment!!
After 30 days, do you have time for testing and inspecting everything before it’s maiden voyage?
Absolutely, I am very safety conscious. I also have another month to work out the bugs before going on a road trip. Still a lot to do, but there is some buffer if I am behind.