Please post pics of your sand rail steering shaft bearings or bushings.

[onanysunday]

So I'm going to be upgrading my Funco Gen 4 to an E-Pass electric power steering unit and gear one super rack. Only because I already have these parts I am taking off of another vehicle. I am thinking about going with all double d shafts which might be a little Overkill but that's what my parts already have on the truck. The funco has a simple bushing in a small tube. Thinking about cutting all of that off and welding in something more substantial with sealed bearings I hope. I know the rule of thumb on the existing bushing is just to notch it shim it and tighten it up but it still gets play after the sand gets in there and wears on it. Not sure if the newer funcos made any changes on this. If I would not have had all these parts I am taking off another project I would have just ordered the upgraded rack from Grant for my car. But I might as well use what I have. Thank you.

 

[onanysunday]

One thought I had was to make a bracket and mount two double d Heims. Then cut off the steering wheel mount and weld to a double d coupler. Pretty simple to do and the double d coupler would be removable with two set screws. That shaft has to be able to slide in and out of the heims.

 

[onanysunday]

Something like this could work. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N9VN41M?ref=clp_hp_h_pc&th=1 but it is the shortest at 24" and I really need about 12". I would assume sealed bearings but the description does not say.

 

[onanysunday]

Hmmm. Bronze bushings. I am thinking heims would still be better. https://www.pacificcustoms.com/ac425036.html

 

[Jammer75]

Had the bushings one. SUCKED.
Got the tatum with the needle bearings. Butter ever since.

 

[Jammer75]

Had the bushings one. SUCKED.
Got the tatum with the needle bearings. Butter ever since.

Billet Steer Shaft Bracket (3/4 Shaft)

Product Features: Made in USA 6061 T-6 Aircraft Aluminum Billet 1 1/2 Steer Shaft Mount 3/4" Shaft Can special order in black.

www.tatummotorsports.com

 

[onanysunday]

Billet Steer Shaft Bracket (3/4 Shaft)

Product Features: Made in USA 6061 T-6 Aircraft Aluminum Billet 1 1/2 Steer Shaft Mount 3/4" Shaft Can special order in black.

www.tatummotorsports.com

Damn, That is a nice piece. Exactly what I am looking for and no welding or fab work. Cut out the old and bolt in. Sweet.

 

[J Alper]

Another billet one we are using i will post,
Also making some now with a roller taper bearing,
from 60601 Aluminum,
will post some piscs later today

 

[AlpineFunco]

Funco just put this in.

 

[onanysunday]

Funco just put this in.


View attachment 185773View attachment 185774View attachment 185775View attachment 185776

That looks pretty good. Looks like it is dropping the shaft down lower than the original location? I was looking at the Tatum billet unit and I would probably have to move my dash up half to one inch to have clearance for the gauges underneath. Not sure I like that idea. Did they use bushings or bearings in this?

 

[onanysunday]

I think what I could do is use just the lower portion of the Tatum billet unit. Then weld two pieces of steel along the tube with three holes in each to bolt it in place.

 

[Kevin]

i got this to use in my desert dynamics rebuild.

Blitzkrieg Motorsports Universal Steering Column 3/4" Smooth To Wheel 3/4"-48 Spline Towards Rack - Kartek Off-Road

Blitzkrieg Motorsports Universal Steering Column 3/4" Smooth To Wheel 3/4"-48 Spline Towards Rack for offroad racing in the King of the Hammers, New Zealand Taupo 1000, Dakar Rally, Tatts Finke Desert Race, Score International Baja 500 or Baja 1000, NORRA 500, NORRA Mexican 1000, Mint 400, Vegas...

www.kartek.com

 

[AlpineFunco]

That looks pretty good. Looks like it is dropping the shaft down lower than the original location? I was looking at the Tatum billet unit and I would probably have to move my dash up half to one inch to have clearance for the gauges underneath. Not sure I like that idea. Did they use bushings or bearings in this?

Two needle bearings. If it is lower it's not noticeable to me. I had the same one you had in your first post here.

 

[onanysunday]

i got this to use in my desert dynamics rebuild.

Blitzkrieg Motorsports Universal Steering Column 3/4" Smooth To Wheel 3/4"-48 Spline Towards Rack - Kartek Off-Road

Blitzkrieg Motorsports Universal Steering Column 3/4" Smooth To Wheel 3/4"-48 Spline Towards Rack for offroad racing in the King of the Hammers, New Zealand Taupo 1000, Dakar Rally, Tatts Finke Desert Race, Score International Baja 500 or Baja 1000, NORRA 500, NORRA Mexican 1000, Mint 400, Vegas...

www.kartek.com

That looks like a nice heavy duty piece. I was actually looking at basic 1.625 0d and 750 ID bearings. Then just buying a piece of Dom and making my own. I no longer have a lathe so this looks like a very possible option. I think I will give them a call tomorrow.

 

[onanysunday]

Couple of pictures from the blitzkrieg website. I really like it. Looks like I would either need to buy a steering wheel adapter or just cut off what I have and weld to it.

 

[Jammer75]

Couple of pictures from the blitzkrieg website. I really like it. Looks like I would either need to buy a steering wheel adapter or just cut off what I have and weld to it.

I was gonna do that before the tatum one. I bought it and decided it would be too much unneeded work. Plus really lower the steering wheel shaft under the bar. I’ve been looking for it, if I find it I would give it to you.