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Re: Rack and pinion steering for Datsun 1200

Subject: Re: Rack and pinion steering for Datsun 1200
by ratdat_uk on 2008/9/5 9:09:31

I've see two rack conversions on B110's here and both were pretty old and had been on competition cars for some time. I don't have a great deal of information on either but I have some pictures.

This first setup is currently on a 1200 coupe rally car. The guy who fitted it got the setup complete from a guy who used it on an ex works GX rally car that originally ran in the Lombard RAC rally in 1974 (I think). It certainly never came from Japan with this setup but was used sucessfully for many years with it. I think it was most likely converted in the late 70's or early 80's. Here's the rack and crossmember on the bench. I believe the rack came from a Talbot Horizon and it looks like the lower arm pivots were altered to match the rack...

Here it is in the car...

Unfortunately it was impossible to get a picture from underneath due to the huge skid plate!

The second setup is in an ex-Janspeed race car. This was apparently another race car from Japan originally but was re-shelled at some point and I'd wager there's not much of the original car left. The rack conversion was most likely done by Janspeed who raced these cars in the Dutch touring car championship. Wether the conversion was done before or after that is unknown. The rack used I have been told, is from a Mini. The crossmember is a much more proffesional looking conversion...

Having had a dabble with R7P conversion myself in the past, I'd definately agree it's something a hell of lot more difficult to get right that you'd think. Tiny changes in height and fore-aft positioning have large effects on geometry let along rack with and pivot considerations. It can be done but it a very long road doing it by trial and error.

-Ed