Nice Rack

[Boosted92LX]

Ok, so while pulling headers to repair a leak I've discovered my p/s rack is wasted. So, we'll be changing it while the plumbing is out. I currently have a 2.5 turn rack in the car.. but have found a 2.25 turn I could opt for. This is thing is being built for twisties and the occasional highway blast. Not drag. So, help me decide. Show of hands, 2.5 or 2.25?

 

[Chuckman]

If this is a listed reman rack at autozone, dont do the 2.25, i did once thinking what you did and its a mis-listing and is not a mustang part. They only ever came from the factory in 2.5 and 3.

If you're really wanting to upgrade, find a 03/04 cobra rack and the matching mm steering shaft.

 

[Boosted92LX]

If this is a listed reman rack at autozone, dont do the 2.25, i did once thinking what you did and its a mis-listing and is not a mustang part. They only ever came from the factory in 2.5 and 3.

If you're really wanting to upgrade, find a 03/04 cobra rack and the matching mm steering shaft.

That's odd man, because Oreilly's lists a 2.25 for the mustang as well. Did you actually get to look at the rack?

 

[CarMichael Angelo]

Your're doing what I do, you're answering your own questions. if you are building the car to respond better in a turn, Why wouldn't you buy a rack built to minimize the amount of turns required to get the tires lock to lock?

 

[RangerJoe]

There are 3, or at least use to be, listed through AZ. I bought one, I think it was the 2.25, and the connector is different. I exchanged it for the next best one and it fit fine. 4 years and no problems.

Joe

 

[Boosted92LX]

Your're doing what I do, you're answering your own questions. if you are building the car to respond better in a turn, Why wouldn't you buy a rack built to minimize the amount of turns required to get the tires lock to lock?

Because I was trying to save the long story. That's why. I'm actually not answering my question if you read it better. I want to corner well, but I also want to go run Texas Mile and Silver State Classic, where you have Long straights of 150 mph+. One of my local buddies is telling me a tight ratio rack lends itself to over corrections ending with accidents at those speeds. So the happy medium is.... what? Is my buddy wrong?

@RangerJoe so you didn't get to use the 2.25 because it didn't fit?

 

[Chuckman]

That's odd man, because Oreilly's lists a 2.25 for the mustang as well. Did you actually get to look at the rack?

Autozone, O'Reilly, advanced etc. All sell nearly the same stuff from the same suppliers. Wouldn't really suprise me if the same supplier gave them a part number for a part that doesn't actually exist as an error (i mean, really, who's going to check probably over a million part numbers for compatibility when they can just take their vendors word for it )

Either way, factory fox racks still only came in 2.5 and 3 turn units (gt/sport and lx) making those the only available options unless you start looking 100% aftermarket. Or, as i said above, the cobra (and other sn95, but the cobra is better) racks bolt in with the proper shaft (and i think outer tie rods)

 

[Chuckman]

Btw, this thread title was very disappointing.

 

[RangerJoe]

Because I was trying to save the long story. That's why. I'm actually not answering my question if you read it better. I want to corner well, but I also want to go run Texas Mile and Silver State Classic, where you have Long straights of 150 mph+. One of my local buddies is telling me a tight ratio rack lends itself to over corrections ending with accidents at those speeds. So the happy medium is.... what? Is my buddy wrong?

@RangerJoe so you didn't get to use the 2.25 because it didn't fit?

The shaft that comes from the rack, to the steering shaft, had a completely different type of connection. I never even tried to bolt it in after seeing this.

Joe

 

[Boosted92LX]

Btw, this thread title was very disappointing.

lol how else was I supposed to get your attention?

 

[mikestang63]

if possible, I'd rebuild your existing rack. The reman racks sometimes have questionable parts and origins.

 

[Shakerhood]

Upgrade to an 03-04 Cobra Rack, its a great upgrade!

 

[MFE92]

3 turns lock to lock = 20:1 non-hi-po rack
2.5 turns lock to lock = '87-90 15:1 hi-po rack
2.25 turns lock to lock = '91-93 15:1 hi-po rack that DID come from the factory, same as the others except for thicker rack travel limiters.

 

[Boosted92LX]

3 turns lock to lock = 20:1 non-hi-po rack
2.5 turns lock to lock = '87-90 15:1 hi-po rack
2.25 turns lock to lock = '91-93 15:1 hi-po rack that DID come from the factory, same as the others except for thicker rack travel limiters.

Thanks man. Good to know. I wound up with a 2.5 that I'll most likely put thicker limiters in.

 

[MFE92]

if possible, I'd rebuild your existing rack. The reman racks sometimes have questionable parts and origins.

THIS! If you live near a major market, there's almost certainly a local rack specialist who can rebuild the rack with new seals etc while leaving your spool valve and torsion bar intact. Those are the parts responsible for "feel" and your chances of getting the same feel back out of a bulk-remanned rack are about nil. Or, the SN95 (and especially 03-04 Cobra) rack are a big step up, but because its input shaft is different and because its tie rods are metric and too long for the fox, you'll need a pricey steering shaft adapter to make it fit, and you'll need to either swap out its tie rods for Fox-style units, or shorten the SN95 tie rods so they'll fit the fox dimensions, and install SN95 tie rod ends on them.

 

[84Ttop]

 

[Black1987]

Because I was trying to save the long story. That's why. I'm actually not answering my question if you read it better. I want to corner well, but I also want to go run Texas Mile and Silver State Classic, where you have Long straights of 150 mph+. One of my local buddies is telling me a tight ratio rack lends itself to over corrections ending with accidents at those speeds. So the happy medium is.... what? Is my buddy wrong?

@RangerJoe so you didn't get to use the 2.25 because it didn't fit?

If you are looking a cheap fix, then go with the local parts store 2.5 lock.

However if you are serious about wanting to turn then upgrade to a SN95 rack and eliminate the rag joint with a MM hybrid shaft or make one.

Any SN95 GT/Mach 1/ Cobra is better than a fox. Though the 03/04 SPK-ZM have larger spooling and torsion bar for a better feel of the road. I would guess this is enhanced by the elimination of rubber rag joint bushing too.

You could luck out and get a used rack from the junkyard, or get one remanufactured from RockAuto (Cardone Part No 22-2000) then add in the 93 Taurus tie rods if you are 4 lug (5 lug just use the provided tie rods), and MM shaft then call it a day.

The shaft is the expensive part, everything else is close enough in price and bolt in.

 

[mikestang63]

If you are looking a cheap fix, then go with the local parts store 2.5 lock.

However if you are serious about wanting to turn then upgrade to a SN95 rack and eliminate the rag joint with a MM hybrid shaft or make one.

Any SN95 GT/Mach 1/ Cobra is better than a fox. Though the 03/04 SPK-ZM have larger spooling and torsion bar for a better feel of the road. I would guess this is enhanced by the elimination of rubber rag joint bushing too.

You could luck out and get a used rack from the junkyard, or get one remanufactured from RockAuto (Cardone Part No 22-2000) then add in the 93 Taurus tie rods if you are 4 lug (5 lug just use the provided tie rods), and MM shaft then call it a day.

The shaft is the expensive part, everything else is close enough in price and bolt in.

Explain the Taurus tie rods ends... never heard that one before. Thanks

 

[CarMichael Angelo]

Explain the Taurus tie rods ends... never heard that one before. Thanks

 

[mikestang63]

newb. learn how to post a pic