Calling Ugly Olds

[kb426]

Bob, I don't consider myself to be an expert by any means but I wanted to add some items to the front end question. This is pics of my 32. It has 27,000 miles and has been trouble free. It was just recently that I added shorter shocks that gave the 3" of compression travel. That made a lot of difference. This is a Chassis Engineering forged axle and spring. Magnum brakes and hairpin kit. You notice the panhard bar is small diameter. I used Monroe gas shocks and it has Unisteer. I started out with Pete and Jake regular oil shocks. The ride was so bad that you thought you went back to the 50's. I have gas shocks on all 4 corners. Very noticable difference. I would be the 1st to say that the ride quality isn't going to be as good as a good ifs.

[UGLY OLDS]

That's pretty much what I am using except for the front of the radius rod ..My setup uses a 5/8 thread X 3/8" slot clevis ...I too will be using a panhard bar with a CE axle & a 30" reversed eye spring with Vega steering......I don't forsee any issues & understand that it will not ride like an IFS BUT, It's only a 2500# car.....I will watch the shock selection & travel ......My only concern is the pavement that Illinois calls roads ...

 Thanks for the tips ..
Bob ..  

[chimp koose]

KB , how do you like the unisteer . Of the people I have asked directly , all have liked it . From other internet sites I have heard mixed reviews .

[kb426]

C.K., no complaints. However, I haven't put a lot of miles on a vega box. The vega has more travel. I will have to install steering stops on my current project. The increased turning radius doesn't affect me at all. It hasn't wore out yet so I'm good so far. When I went looking for a steering setup 10 years ago, several peopled mentioned how cross steer mostly eliminated bump steer. I had no desire to go backwards so that eliminated several of the other choices.

[chimp koose]

when I built mine I was looking for a way to limit bump steer as well . I made mine from a 92 escort rack and managed to modify it when shortening , to get 6" stroke on the rack . I have one of those speedway tie rods that has a hole for another tie rod .This placed it closer to the king pin than the 2 hole steering arm on old ford spindles . I think Enjenjo said they are from a jeep . Anyways , I had to make steering stops as the tires will turn to rub the 4 bar on both sides left and right otherwise . I built a steering column this summer , did all the u joint work , hooked it all up and it requires very little steering effort to turn .