My 93 Ranger Needs Quicker Steering

I rallycross a 93 I beam suspension Ford Ranger with a V8. It’s a ton of fun and spends a lot of time sideways. However, I’m constantly sawing at the wheel. I’d love to find a good way to quicken it up. 

I have done some internet search and not come up with any great simple answers. So I come to you guys for some input and ideas. First I could get a steering “quickener” and try to fit that on the steering column, but I don’t have any welding skills yet and not sure if there’s really space  

2nd idea is to get a pitman arm for a lifted Ranger and try to heat it and bash it more straight to get more length out of it, effectively getting a quicker ratio. 

And a 3rd idea would be to swap in a quicker ratio steering box from another vehicle. But I haven’t found any that swap in and do what I want. 

I’m leaning toward the pitman arm. Whats my best option?

I was basically going to suggest everything you said. The steering quickener would help the most but also introduce some steering play, which for rallycross might not even be noticeable. The longer strong arm probably won't make that much difference unless it's really longer than stock.

I have literally zero helpful advice but I will say this: Cool truck

I've raced with a steering quickener on a road course and it was pretty amazing. Steering effort doubles but the steering response is so, so immediate. I don't know about rallycross, having never done any, but I don't see why it would be a problem. Can you make room for it in the steering shaft? Maybe you can't weld, but someone nearby can.

I will say, it's SUPER quick with the 2:1 quickener. It might be more than you're looking for, but that's something only you can decide.

Not to hijack, but does the quickener function well with a power steering system? does it out pace a power steering system? 

The quickener can outpace the ps pump, need to have a good quality pump and up the flow rate a bit to compensate. KRC power steering can help out with this,  find them here: KRC

There are also 1.5:1 quickeners available, which may work better, depends on ratio in your steering box now.

I wonder if that quickener would work on pop's corvair... Hmm

I have nothing helpful to add but do you have a build thread for that truck?

93EXCivic said:

I have nothing helpful to add but do you have a build thread for that truck?

It’s intertwined with my other projects Here

The difference that pitman arm will make is exactly the same as the ratio between its length and the length of the stock arm. Which looks like 5~10%. It may also give you more lock angle if pitman arm travel is the limiting factor. To make the steering "feel faster" takes a huge difference, 30% doesn't strike you as a big difference, from my experience.

Also keep in mind that quicker steering is heavier steering, all else being equal. At some point you'll have to reduce effort which means either increasing the assist or changing the geometry to reduce steering effort (like reducing caster or scrub radius).

Trackmouse said:

Not to hijack, but does the quickener function well with a power steering system? does it out pace a power steering system? 

Ditch the hydraulic power steering for a manual rack and an electric steering column.  Problem solved.

another 'not to hijack', what are the specs on the suspension of that thing? i reeeaaaal want a pre-runner style truck and your's is about perfect

In reply to edizzle89 :

It’s mostly stock components with a few tweaks like flipped rear leaf spring shackles, “traction bars” and extended I beams.  It’s pretty well detailed in the build thread.  

I think my cheapest/easiest approach will be the Pitman. Gotta see if I’ve got space for the extra swing radius. 

Smaller steering wheel.

It appears that Ranger uses a pretty common steering box that is used in several trucks and vans....

and with some searching:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/975025-steering-gear-box-to-rack-conversion.html

A Crown Vic Police Intercepter box can be adapted to work.

Here's more detailed info on the various steering boxes used on the Crown Vic:

http://www.idmsvcs.com/2vmod/steering/gearboxes/partnumbers.html

It can't hurt to pick one up and try it, you can always sell it on to someone else.

In reply to Stefan :

Thanks!   I will be looking into that!