Quick steering measurement requested from a stock deuce

Hi Gang,

I am in need of a quick measurement from a stock deuce (at least, one with stock steering):

- From
the center of the sector shaft (where the pitman bolts onto the steering box):

- To
the center of the spring eye, as found on the front of the driver's side.

Hey, if you already have a tape there, I wouldn't mind to know how high up on the frame that sector shaft is, either. It looks like about 5.5" from the bottom, based on photo measurement.

A picture, to demonstrate:



Full disclosure:
This is a chip of a picture originally found here:
http://www.bunkerofdoom.com/mil/m35/11x20/1100R20_3.JPG




It's been a while since I've been here. I rebuilt my steering last summer, and I've come to find out that the Ross Hydrapower system I used was worn, and contrary to what had been implied in my research, parts were available but only at an astronomical price.

So, after a long interlude for other vehicle projects and life in general, I'm switching over to a Saginaw ram-assist system.

The only problem is that I've already changed so much, that I'm in need of a baseline.

I'd be quite grateful to whomever could help. My photointerpretetation only goes so far.

Best,
Bob

Sorry to hear about your bad luck! Hard to imagine that you couldn't find a good replacement box.

Here is a pic with the requested data.

G.

Gerhard (Gerhardt? Perdóname, he olvidado la ortografía),

If there were a Nobel Prize for Assistiveness, you would be first and foremost in the running. Thank you so much for taking these measurements, and putting together such a great picture, to boot!!!!



Regarding the availability of the new boxes - they are out there, but available at perhaps US $900-1000 each. There's also another detail that I've learned, and it's that the Ross Hydrapower boxes are simply *old technology*.

Although these old Ross ram-assist-type boxes seem like they are great boxes (by combining the best of both worlds, that is to say, a pure manual box when unpowered and ram-enabled hydraulic-assist-type box when receiving hydraulic power), they have their weaknesses, which I am again discovering. They do provide responsive steering when brand new - the older they get, the more worn they become (on both manual and power divider sides, so "double trouble!"), and the more worn they get, the sloppier they get. Moreover, they're also more inherently weaker, and once they either become too worn or simply fail, they're going to be harder to fix, as NOS replacement parts become ever rarer and more expensive.

So, I'm going to transition to a modern Saginaw box ($350ish), which will be time consuming, but worth it in the end.

The other reason that I'm not that worried about reworking this is that, according to the steering and front end specialist I've been talking to, it's not kosher to highly modify the geometry for the steering, which is news to me. Apparently, moving the pivot point for the sector shaft more than, say, an inch in any one direction, can result in unpredictable handling (and possibly the dreaded deathwobble!). I have been setting up steering setups for years and this is news to me, but hey, perhaps I've always been on the winning side of changing things around.

I initially set up the position of this new Ross box based on the use of a hydraulic ram running down the framerail, which didn't work out. However, I kept the intended position of the box because most of the work had been done - this may also possibly create issues for me in the future. This is why I am not too worried about reworking to regain the original position of the sector shaft.

Anyway, this picture really helps me figure out where I ... probably should have put this box in the first place, but more importantly where the next box will realistically go.

Thanks again Gerhard.

Best,
Bob