Mustang II or other rack and pinion conversion?

wilsonsk

Member
There is almost enough room to squeeze a Mustang II rack on top of the front axle if you can do something creative with the lower radiator hose connection, anyone considered this? Cut new key ways in the steering arms so the point straight forward, then replace the stock steering box with Saturn Vue electric assist. This would be around $250 in parts, thoughts?

There is all kinds of info on the net, apparently someone makes a dummy controller for the electric unit.

http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?5,89022
 
Never tried it, but I have seen the electric PS mods you mention.
I guess my question would be why?
What would the use case be for doing this modification to an N?
 
As previously said, why?
Why not buy a 1956 or later tractor that
has PS on it from tbe factory?
You'd not only get power steering but
automatically get live hydraulics, more
horsepower, remote hyd capability and
maybe live pto.
All these "upgrades" to Ns...
I know, I know. Because you can. It's
your tractor. Or you realize you want
some later options but spent too much $
in it restoring it to quit now. Or
because it's fun to tinker with stuff.
Dunno. I say think outside of the box.
An 860 or 661 or 2,3,4000 is fun to
tinker with too.
 
run the rack & pinion unit bolted under the axle and fab a long steering shaft like the old AC units.

Reinventing the wheel can be fun if you have the time and resources, if you're hoping to have a more useful tractor I don't think you'll come out ahead.
 
I'am in process of doing something like this now, I have a 48 8N with a Wagner loader, Dearborn bucket,Dearborn Dozer
blade and a Dearborn in the back grader blade. With the dozer blade on it has to be moving to turn the steering wheel
which make's it difficult in a tight spot.To answer the question why because I bought these tractor real cheap for the
shape it's in and the implements it has on it. So I kept watching on ebay till I found the stuff I needed at the price
I thought was ok. I bought a used 8N steering box with the dash and throttle attached then I bought Saturn electric
power steering unit and a control unit from the guy in Portugal. I couldn't see spending a couple grand on a hydraulic
unit, This way I can do all my cutting,welding Modifying without laying the tractor up. If it doesn't work I still have
the dash and steering box that's on the tractor now.
 
If you are going to mess with or create a steering axle, whether wagon or tractor, do yourself a FAVOR. Google "ACKERMAN ANGLE" and see what you can LEARN. Tractors and wagons are not Race Cars, but they don't need to steer poorly or tear up your lawn. There are several links to click on. Just sayin'.....
 

The why part is simple (to me anyway), I have the old steering gear, it's in bad shape, I have the Mustang II rack, a new-style 8N steering gear is $500+ (and still not power). Other than the mod to the lower radiator hose connection, there are no permanent changes (and replacement radiators are plentiful). My 8N is used for plowing snow and the steering is a problem. This solution is economical and non invasive. I enjoy projects like this, and the question to me is more "why not?".

I'll check out the links, thanks, I realize the steering geometry is important, I'll confirm that I haven't changed anything significantly with the Mustang II rack.
 

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