That is good to know. Here is plenty of those old Isuzu's in junkyards, so I must start calling my friends if they can locate one good donor.


Hyvinkää, FI

To add to this topic. I like the look of the borgeson set up as it is recirculating ball not rack and pinion. Yes rack and pinion is great but most have variable ratio which I hate. Minimal changes under the KISS system is intelligent.

Borgeson use a Aisin power steering box borrowed from a range of Isuzu and other japanese SUV's. I found this  http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/150827114092?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649 

on ebay item 150827114092 which is a adaptor plate which would be a lot cheaper and also avoid the welding of cast iron.

There is a far bit of positive feed back from mustang forums on the borgeson unit. For Me I need RHD so the information and plate will serve as a template and hopefully I can find the same steering box mirror imaged for Australian use. I've ordered the plate and it will take me a good while to get on with the conversion.

Cheers

Warren

Grizzly (Aussie Mainline)

Hi tom, wanted to ask can a normal wheel drive be converted into power wheel drive by proper modifications, can you suggest the modifications needed if it is possible.

Blinds Auckland

Helped a buddy some with his cavalier rack on 54 wagon and SBF/AOD.  He wanted to stay with his column shift auto.

I have T5 in the 56 and was concerned with Borgeson comment that the power box may not work with original clutch so emailed them.  Quick response was that if clutch linkage was between the power box and the inner fender it would work other wise neeed cable or hydraulic.  Still have to shorten the steering shaft 3".  Wo0n't work with column shift linkage.

Grady, he of the above 54 wagon, was at Good Guys this WE and saw several with the Borgeson unit.

Available at Summit for less than $580 IIRC.  Search 800115.

Good luck.

You gotta have the right tools and know how to use 'em.

TC - Austin, Texas

I was already getting my Visa out the wallet, but then I saw the price.



$609 + $344



I got to get quickier steering and gypsies stole my Thunderbird front axle from frontyard of our hall.

Thinked it was metal junk.


Hyvinkää, FI

I have been wondering about the hydraulic clutch system for a T-5 conversion. Here is an informative article about doing this change on a 65-66 Mustang.



http://www.midnightdsigns.com/Mustang/HYD%20Clutch.htm

57 Black Tbird 312/auto

Oldcarmark;

For my next build, chances are I'll go with a custom steering column and another T-5 conversion and floor shifter. I am wondering though, since we use an upgraded release fork, if anyone has tried using a hydraulic clutch set-up which would remove the bracket and linkage from the equation? Can it be done with the Y bellhousing??

Rono.

  Ron Lane,  Meridian, ID

It also says column shift cars(which I assume  includes automatics) will require extensive work to use the existing column.So what exactly does this setup work with?Sounds like a great idea but????

  

Hello, Ron, I'm alive and well, and retired now. My daughter-in-law is from Maine, so I heard all the stories. Her Dad was the local Chief of Police. Hope you brought the snow blower from Idaho.



On the 'bird, fitting the rack didn't present any problems with the frame or motor, but we welded an old manual steering center (drag link) to a piece of steel, and bolted above to the rack. You've got to trust your welder. That let me keep the rack up and maintain the original geometry on the tie rods. I am just installing a set of FPA headers, and that required bending the lines on the rack, and shifting the motor over 1/8 inch to clear the steering shaft. If I was starting from scratch, a little more column would have solve this, but the Red's headers were on when I did that, and it looked good at the time.



I've got a post above on the Aerostar springs, and how they came out on the 'bird. I don't know how much they lower a full size car, if any, but if you shimmed them up a bit for static ground clearance, the variable rate makes them stiffer real quick over the bumps, and that might help with the frost heaves. For 90 bucks from NAPA, nothing much is cheaper. Don't have any ideas about the potholes. Maybe a sack of cement in the trunk, and a jug of water, and go back and fill them up? That's about where we are in WA for road work.

miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ

According to Borgeson's ad,their setup won't work on a standard transmission car.Has anyone found a way around this?

 

Paul,

Boonville,MO