Manual steering options?

[XR7-4.6]

I can't imagine driving one of these cars without power steering. They are not light in the front end, and we all run wide tires. The only car I drove without power steering was a Fiero 20+ year ago. Even in that tiny ass mid engine hot wheels car, it was miserable cranking the wheel around in parking lots.

I’d really like to drive one with a true slower ratio manual rack and stock width tires just to see what it’s like. I’ve driven a couple other manual steering cars and while low speed is a workout, you do start to get used to a different technique of never turning the wheel at a full stop but pressing the accelerator first and then turning the wheel, which almost immediately gets easier. That’s not necessarily practical in some situations but once you find that habit it becomes more of an experience rather than a chore… but that for me has been in much lighter cars(Miatas, Civics), experienced for minutes rather than daily where I’m certain would be regretful.

 

[theterminator93]

Of course, meaty 245 or 255s up front won't help with reducing steering effort any. Even with full PS, the increase in effort required at low speed is apparent.

 

[Grog6]

I parked my 63 on the street, in front of my HS every day, parallel parking a beefy car isn't pleasant, you do have to be slightly moving to steer. But you learn it quickly.When I got the car, the ps pump was in the back floorboard,with the bearings out. the 390 had the wrong bracket on it, so it wasted pumps. After I fixed it, and found the right bracket, I was totally fucking amazed to see the windshield wipers start working, lol. before that, my buddy ron had to hang out the window, and move them. They were geared together, and moving the pass side moved the drivers. We were fucking nuts back then,lol.
I remember driving home after a sabbath concert, with the rain making the windshield look like it was melting.
As we got out of the car in the driveway, I realized it was dry, and hadn't rained in days.

 

[SC_Shi]

I can't imagine driving one of these cars without power steering. They are not light in the front end, and we all run wide tires. The only car I drove without power steering was a Fiero 20+ year ago. Even in that tiny ass mid engine hot wheels car, it was miserable cranking the wheel around in parking lots.

Took the bird for a spin around the parking lot today, power steering is a must lol

 

[Thunderstruck95]

I went to manual steering 2 years ago. I don’t regret doing it, but it’s not for everybody. I wanted weight reduction and simplicity. I saved around 23 pounds and cleaned up the engine compartment considerably.
The parts I’m running are: Flaming River FR1508 rack, FR2509DD stainless U-joint, 3/4” DD shaft adaptor, and Caravan inner tie rod ends. (I will try to edit in the part #s later).