1964 Dodge A-100 Hot rod sort of rat rod build thread.

[onanysunday]

Well after I don't know how many days measuring on this thing it's time to weld in some gussets to hold everything in place and then build this frame. Every time I would measure one thing something else would change. I ended up right at a 90 inch wheelbase. Steering rack idea is completely fubar because if I take a regular hydraulic rack and flip it over it will be backwards and steer the opposite direction. Finally figured that out today. So it looks like the solution is going to be a center steer Gearone manual rack. Then put a pas electric servo and power steering unit under the dash. I think that will solve all the issues. I know that is a great unit and will work. Then my power steering pump will only be running fluid through the hydroboost which will be nice as well.

 

[onanysunday]

 

[Kat-A-Tonic]

Well after I don't know how many days measuring on this thing it's time to weld in some gussets to hold everything in place and then build this frame. Every time I would measure one thing something else would change. I ended up right at a 90 inch wheelbase. Steering rack idea is completely fubar because if I take a regular hydraulic rack and flip it over it will be backwards and steer the opposite direction. Finally figured that out today. So it looks like the solution is going to be a center steer Gearone manual rack. Then put a pas electric servo and power steering unit under the dash. I think that will solve all the issues. I know that is a great unit and will work. Then my power steering pump will only be running fluid through the hydroboost which will be nice as well.

View attachment 66140

Steering rack could still work if you used an even number of gears in one of those stacked gear units, or one extra gear added to your chain unit.  Not trying to convince you not to use the Gear One setup, but if that does not pan out, you still have options.

 

[onanysunday]

Steering rack could still work if you used an even number of gears in one of those stacked gear units, or one extra gear added to your chain unit.  Not trying to convince you not to use the Gear One setup, but if that does not pan out, you still have options.

Oh yeah good point. Although with that stack of gears and the amount of play that thing will probably have plus the cost of the darn thing I think I'm set on a chain setup. I can even change the size of the gears in it for the ratio. So to do backward rotation in my gear drive setup would take three gears plus an idler?

 

[Kat-A-Tonic]

Oh yeah good point. Although with that stack of gears and the amount of play that thing will probably have plus the cost of the darn thing I think I'm set on a chain setup. I can even change the size of the gears in it for the ratio. So to do backward rotation in my gear drive setup would take three gears plus an idler?

2 gears for the chain, 1 gear for a tensioner, and one to flip the rotation.

 

[onanysunday]

 

[onanysunday]

Now I get to play with blocks like a kid. Should be fun.

 

[Kat-A-Tonic]

Looking good.

 

[onanysunday]

Big shout out and thanks to my buddy Dave for teaching me how to make a bulletproof joint at these angles. Damn is that going to ever be strong. I'm calling phase one of four phases for the frame build done. The other day my brother asked me what percentage I am done with the truck and I said not even 5%. LOL now maybe I'm at 5%. Now I will move to the front.

 

[onanysunday]

With the factory Corvette rack one full turn of the steering wheel moves the rack 2.090 in. These photos show how far the steering turns at that amount. (On the car it will go further but on the truck I don't think I have the room anyway) The gear one super rack is 4 inches lock to lock. 1.5 turns lock to lock. So three quarters of a turn on the gear one rack versus one full turn on the stock steering to move it the same distance. I have to think that will be okay? Could the steering be too quick though? I could change the gear ratio in my chain drive setup if I wanted while building it. Those gears will get welded to the double d shaft so it will be hard to just change gears in that setup once I build it.

 

[onanysunday]

Here is the Gear one super rack. Of course I would need to build an approx. 23 1/2 bar with heims on each end to match the pivot locations the same as the stock vette.  https://gearone-manufacturing.myshopify.com/products/super-rack

 

[onanysunday]

 

[onanysunday]

My brother tweaked our new shop logo and tied it all together to make it one piece. This is 14 gauge cut out and now we will cut one out of 3/16 plate. Should have it within a week or two and start figuring out some cool brackets to mount it. It will mount in the bed floating above the rear diff. It is 26" wide by 16" tall. Might have a painter distress paint it at some point. 

 

[onanysunday]

 

[n4st]

Hi! 

Regarding the chain drive steering ratio:

Stock: 2.09” displacement per 1 wheel turn = 2.09 (disp/turn) lets call this (S)

Aftermarket: 2.00” displacement per 3/4 wheel turn or 2.00/.75 = 2.667 (disp/turn) lets call this (A)

The aftermarket system needs to “slow down” (A/S) = 1.276 times to match the stock turn ratio. That is the sprocket teeth ratio needed in the chain drive system.

The closest you get with a set of sprockets could be 18 teeth and 23 teeth, or a (23/18) 1.277 ratio where the small sprocket is at the servo motor and the large sprocket is at the rack.

Also need to make sure the idler pulley doesn’t crash the two chains together. Here’s a CAD sketch that helps determine whatever length between sprockets will be able to support an even number of links without letting the chains clash at the idler. I measured my 530 chain, and got .625” per link. Or 1.25 every two links. (Couldn’t find the actual spec anywhere but good start) Here is an example of dimensions that would work with 124 links, or 77.5” of chain (for one set of sprockets). Once you get closer to knowing the sprocket-sprocket center length, I can update the dimensions. Also the idler can be the smallest amount of teeth that will fit over whatever axle/bearing setup you have.



Sprocket Specialists is where I get custom made sprockets. Good option if you need something thats not off-the-shelf.

https://sprocketspecialists.com

DID 530 ZVMX has 10,408 Avg Tensile Strength. This is a greased o-ring chain so wouldn’t ever need lube it. This is what I use on my King Car. This ones gold but they have other options.

https://www.amazon.com/D-I-D-530ZVMXG-160L-Super-Street-X-Ring/dp/B077BC3MRV





I am curious what the max output torque is on the electric steering unit. We can make dead sure a set of two 530 chains can handle it.

-Nf

 

[onanysunday]

Hi! 

Regarding the chain drive steering ratio:

Stock: 2.09” displacement per 1 wheel turn = 2.09 (disp/turn) lets call this (S)

Aftermarket: 2.00” displacement per 3/4 wheel turn or 2.00/.75 = 2.667 (disp/turn) lets call this (A)

The aftermarket system needs to “slow down” (A/S) = 1.276 times to match the stock turn ratio. That is the sprocket teeth ratio needed in the chain drive system.

The closest you get with a set of sprockets could be 18 teeth and 23 teeth, or a (23/18) 1.277 ratio where the small sprocket is at the servo motor and the large sprocket is at the rack.

Also need to make sure the idler pulley doesn’t crash the two chains together. Here’s a CAD sketch that helps determine whatever length between sprockets will be able to support an even number of links without letting the chains clash at the idler. I measured my 530 chain, and got .625” per link. Or 1.25 every two links. (Couldn’t find the actual spec anywhere but good start) Here is an example of dimensions that would work with 124 links, or 77.5” of chain (for one set of sprockets). Once you get closer to knowing the sprocket-sprocket center length, I can update the dimensions. Also the idler can be the smallest amount of teeth that will fit over whatever axle/bearing setup you have.

View attachment 67039

Sprocket Specialists is where I get custom made sprockets. Good option if you need something thats not off-the-shelf.

https://sprocketspecialists.com

DID 530 ZVMX has 10,408 Avg Tensile Strength. This is a greased o-ring chain so wouldn’t ever need lube it. This is what I use on my King Car. This ones gold but they have other options.

https://www.amazon.com/D-I-D-530ZVMXG-160L-Super-Street-X-Ring/dp/B077BC3MRV

View attachment 67040

View attachment 67041

I am curious what the max output torque is on the electric steering unit. We can make dead sure a set of two 530 chains can handle it.

-Nf

This is awesome!! It will be interesting to see what EPAS Performance says is the max torque load of that servo motor.  Here is some #50 chain that is about the same price as the DID but 10 feet of it. Instead of 102 links x .625. Tensile strength on the DID is higher though. For sure I will spend what is necessary to make this bulletproof. 

 

[onanysunday]

Frame to bulkhead connectors, I wanted to make as strong as possible. Quite a bit of work to make this first pair. Two more pairs to go and they might even be more challenging due to rust. This metal was pretty decent.

 

[onanysunday]

Logo came out great. I think this will be a cool spot but I may want to mount it up higher. Possibly on the roll bar outside.

 

[onanysunday]

Hi! 

Regarding the chain drive steering ratio:

Stock: 2.09” displacement per 1 wheel turn = 2.09 (disp/turn) lets call this (S)

Aftermarket: 2.00” displacement per 3/4 wheel turn or 2.00/.75 = 2.667 (disp/turn) lets call this (A)

The aftermarket system needs to “slow down” (A/S) = 1.276 times to match the stock turn ratio. That is the sprocket teeth ratio needed in the chain drive system.

The closest you get with a set of sprockets could be 18 teeth and 23 teeth, or a (23/18) 1.277 ratio where the small sprocket is at the servo motor and the large sprocket is at the rack.

Also need to make sure the idler pulley doesn’t crash the two chains together. Here’s a CAD sketch that helps determine whatever length between sprockets will be able to support an even number of links without letting the chains clash at the idler. I measured my 530 chain, and got .625” per link. Or 1.25 every two links. (Couldn’t find the actual spec anywhere but good start) Here is an example of dimensions that would work with 124 links, or 77.5” of chain (for one set of sprockets). Once you get closer to knowing the sprocket-sprocket center length, I can update the dimensions. Also the idler can be the smallest amount of teeth that will fit over whatever axle/bearing setup you have.

View attachment 67039

Sprocket Specialists is where I get custom made sprockets. Good option if you need something thats not off-the-shelf.

https://sprocketspecialists.com

DID 530 ZVMX has 10,408 Avg Tensile Strength. This is a greased o-ring chain so wouldn’t ever need lube it. This is what I use on my King Car. This ones gold but they have other options.

https://www.amazon.com/D-I-D-530ZVMXG-160L-Super-Street-X-Ring/dp/B077BC3MRV

View attachment 67040

View attachment 67041

I am curious what the max output torque is on the electric steering unit. We can make dead sure a set of two 530 chains can handle it.

-Nf

Epas performance says that 60 watt motor puts out 90 ft pounds of torque. Last couple days when I have had time I have been picking at the second pair of frame to bulkhead connectors. Left side is rusted out so bad side and bottom I am having to re-engineer and go heavy duty with it. I actually had a couple of blind nuts inside the frame to connect each side here.

 

[onanysunday]

Oh and I did ask him about tire size and the load on the power steering unit. He said only issue is the big 34"+ mud tires. My 295/30/18s won't be a problem.