62 Falcon - $5k challenge, how will it rise from the ranger's ashes?

[squirrel]

LS swap, no oil pump interference issues.

[BBR]

Lowering i-beams for king pin Fords (65-79) use a couple of different styles of fabricated mounts to lower the tie rod end. A similar idea could be implemented here to get the tie rod drop you need without the high single shear load associated with using a really long bolt on a bump steer kit.

[squirrel]

I thought it was the bending load we're worried about?

[STINEY]

Is this the thing-a-ma-bob you are talking about James?

[BBR]

Yep. That's one of them. There are 2 or 3 different styles I believe.

[STINEY]

I have a serious question. We are all assuming those spindles are cast.

Are they?

Or are they a forging?

[milner351]

Lowering i-beams for king pin Fords (65-79) use a couple of different styles of fabricated mounts to lower the tie rod end. A similar idea could be implemented here to get the tie rod drop you need without the high single shear load associated with using a really long bolt on a bump steer kit.

Got any links for these so I could check compatibility?

Believe it or not the BAER rep who replied to my inquiring about lowering tie rods / bump steer kits - also suggested heating and bending the tie rod attachment points, then using bumpsteer kit to fine tune.... but he said to only do that with steel spindles, not iron.... cast steel vs cast iron? I've never seen a "steel" spindle?

[STINEY]

These almost HAVE to be forged. Seriously, aren't all spindles forged?

A piece that sees the shock-loads that a spindle sees.........if it were cast, it would break on the first pot-hole.

[BBR]

I don't think they would particularly be compatible, but the concept is certainly applicable.

How close is the rack to the pan? Could you use offset bushings on the rack to move it up just a smooch w/o having to reconfigure the oil pan/xmember?

[milner351]

I have a serious question. We are all assuming those spindles are cast.

Are they?

Or are they a forging?

Forging is a good possibility - I'd have to look closely for a parting line / forging line - wide if forged thin and sharp if cast - correct?

[STINEY]

Bingo. Do a spark test to be positive.

[milner351]

spark test?

I know forged cranks "ring" and cast cranks "thud" with a rap of a hammer - but in this case - I don't want to pull the spindles just to see what they're made of....

[milner351]

LS swap - squirrel - you're just too funny - I'm surprised you didn't suggest a blown BBC.

BBR - if I want to go back to stock tie rods - we're probably looking at the area of 1.5" of rack movement - it may require a complete tear up of the driver side motor mount to work with the steering shaft, and making the oil pan look a lot like a typical rear sump SBC pan, if that would be enough.

[BBR]

I think a destructive test would be way more fun.

Get an m2 spindle and take a sledge to it. If it bends, forged. If it breaks, cast. lol

I was proposing offset bushings in conjunction with your bumpsteer kit to gain the additional tie rod angle.

[STINEY]

Spark test. I don't have my old books handy, but it goes like this.

You hit the piece lightly with a grinder, and observe the color and pattern of the sparks.

White sparks mean one thing, orange another, long pattern means something, short pattern means another.

I don't want to rely on my memory and lead you astray, but it should be easy to look up.




EDIT: I like BBRs idea too! We will be right over with a hammer and grinder.......call the wife and let her know its ok, we are here to help!