C3-Jeep Steering Gear Conversion

[Yellow73SB]

I have the plates at the laser cutters right now. They should be done by the end of the week. With any luck, I can get this mounted this weekend.

The tube spacers go between the back side of the gear mounting lugs and the 1/2" plates.

How much was it to get them laser cut?

And I just asked because there was 4 of those spacers, you only need 3 right?

 

[BBShark]

I don't know how much it is to get them cut. That's the reason for the delay, I put them in with some other parts that I was having laser cut.

There are 4 spacers for the 4 lugs on the Jeep gear.

 

[Yellow73SB]

Is this the right arm?

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/p/7393,177_1973-1977-Intermediate-GM-Pitman-Arms.html?itemNo=pitman

 

[BBShark]

All the dimensions look right. The drop is different, but only about 1/4 inch (also depends on how they are measuring it). Looks like a bolt on to me, nice find.

 

[BBShark]

Using Kid Vettes CAD model of the Jeep gear, I was able to make an exploded view that shows how these parts go together. The red areas of the steering gear are where the machine work has been done to the gear. The cutoff tube section is the frame rail.

 

[Yellow73SB]

All the dimensions look right. The drop is different, but only about 1/4 inch (also depends on how they are measuring it). Looks like a bolt on to me, nice find.

Theres also this arm but it's .5" shorter



Also as far as the drag link goes I'm going to try and find a tie rod end instead of using the crappy stock manual set up

I need to find a steering one that doesn't swivel though

 

[Kid Vette]

Using Kid Vettes CAD model of the Jeep gear, I was able to make an exploded view that shows how these parts go together.

Looks good! Glad to see that model is being put to good use. :thumbs:

 

[Yellow73SB]

Just thought I would post a pic of my box



And a chevelle pitman arm

 

[00fxd]

Yellow73, It looks like your on your way to the install. I missed the part about the shovel. Where's it go?

 

[BBShark]

Finally got the plates and bolted the Jeep gear this weekend. Everything lined up so the drawings are verified. I will post a drawing and parts list in the downloads section on Monday.

I used 7/16 bolts for the frame attachment (stock is 3/8). This requires drilling out the frame rail holes and the rear hole is very difficult to get to with the body on. So I will modify all the drawings and information for 3/8 bolts.



Here is the pitman arm needed (GM p/n 7814221 )

 

[Yellow73SB]

Excellent

I'll send them out

I'll get them laser cut so I don't have to drill any holes myself

 

[Yellow73SB]

I just sent the file out for a price

What did you Clearance the box for the bolts with?

I think I want to use the bigger bolts also

 

[Twin_Turbo]

He used a piloted spot facer.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#catalog/114/2421

 

[BBShark]

I just sent the file out for a price

What did you Clearance the box for the bolts with?

I think I want to use the bigger bolts also

The faced off surface of the 4 12mm holes on the Jeep gear were done with a 3/4" end mill and the 3 "toenail" cuts for the 3 7/16 frame bolts were done with a 1/2" end mill. Give the shop this drawing for the positions of these:

 

[Yellow73SB]

It looks like I can probably do them with a die grinder, may take awhile though

I'll see what I can do for the spot face, I imagine an engine machine should have one right? If not one of the guys at our shops dad works a full blown machine shop that has every thing you could think of

 

[BBShark]

It looks like I can probably do them with a die grinder, may take awhile though

I'll see what I can do for the spot face, I imagine an engine machine should have one right? If not one of the guys at our shops dad works a full blown machine shop that has every thing you could think of

Any good shop should have a 1/2 and 3/4 endmill. It is very important that the spot faces are flat and while your setup to do that it's easy to do the toenail cuts with the 1/2".

 

[00fxd]

So while you guys are getting a set of plates cut out any chance someone could do a couple of sets, one set for me? If we were to do a few sets it would keep the costs down and I would have a better chance of getting correctly made plates...... I would be happy to prepay.

 

[Yellow73SB]

So while you guys are getting a set of plates cut out any chance someone could do a couple of sets, one set for me? If we were to do a few sets it would keep the costs down and I would have a better chance of getting correctly made plates...... I would be happy to prepay.

I could do that but it

I could maybe ask them to ship them directly to you to save on shipping

I'm getting it done here,

www.ballisticfabrication.com

 

['73inabasket]

I need a set made too, who do I need to talk to. Maybe we can get a group purchase going.

 

[Twin_Turbo]

Don't forget to add 10% vettemod fees

 

[00fxd]

Could someone please tell me how to open this file from the downloads section? "Jeep Steering Adapter Plates (for laser cut) "

 

[BBShark]

There are two different kind of files for the Jeep steering plates. One is a .pdf file that could be opened on any computer that has Adobe Acrobat. Most computers have this utility, if you don't, you can download it for free. Use this drawing if you want to print a template to scale and machine the parts.

The other file is a .dxf file. This can be opened with most CAD programs. This is what a laser or waterjet cutter would need to cut the parts. If you give this file to them, they can open it. Use this file if you are having the plates made.

 

[saudivette]

I think Adobe Illustrator will open it though...

 

[00fxd]

Thanks guys, was able to open the pdf but what do I do with the .dxf? We do have a small machine shop in town [with some new equipment that they're braggin' about] so wanted to take it by and see if they could work with it before I get involved with a possible group order.
Thanks, Frank.

 

[saudivette]

Take the file into the shop on a disc or USB stick. The machine's computer will (should) be able to read it :thumbs:

 

[00fxd]

Neat, I was hoping it would be something like that.
Thanks .

 

[Yellow73SB]

I'll take a set from you if you can get a few made

 

[BBShark]

I'll take a set from you if you can get a few made

Did you get a quote from this place, www.ballisticfabrication.com?

If you go to a laser or waterjet cutter, most will want $75+ for setup plus the cost of the cut. This is if you have 1 set made or 100 sets made. Personally, I would have a local machine shop make them because you are still going to need machine work on the Jeep gear and make the spacers.

Most commercial machine shops (if not all) can read the .dxf file.

 

[mrvette]

Sorry guys, but I think all this computer/lazer cut pieces are a huge waste of time and money...something easily done in any home shop with a few tools and maybe a couple clamps....total time maybe 2 hours?? not totally putting down the efforts, but really now....

I look at like that steeroids crap.....much adoo over nothing, to quote Walt Kelly....

:thumbs:

 

[Yellow73SB]

I'll take a set from you if you can get a few made

Did you get a quote from this place, www.ballisticfabrication.com?

If you go to a laser or waterjet cutter, most will want $75+ for setup plus the cost of the cut. This is if you have 1 set made or 100 sets made. Personally, I would have a local machine shop make them because you are still going to need machine work on the Jeep gear and make the spacers.

Most commercial machine shops (if not all) can read the .dxf file.

I sent them an email but never got a response. I can send them a PM though, they post on a forum I post on.

They shouldn't be too high in price