Electric steering
 

I know better to post this on Hamb but I spend more time here on the Barn. I have joint problems and finding its harder and harder to steer my 38 5 window. Anyone gone this way? Thanks Pete

Re: Electric steering
 

I know of one example of electric assistance being applied to a Model A. It works well. Off topic but one of our dailys, a Fiat 500 has electric power steering.

Re: Electric steering
 

Mart, you are a brave man to drive a car with Italian electrics , specially the steering, LOL
Lawrie

Re: Electric steering
 

I installed one on a '35 for one of my Hobby Members and it is one slick piece to drive.

Re: Electric steering
 

Lawrie
He is already used to Lucas, what could be worse?
Bruce

Re: Electric steering
 

Angledrive please tell us more about the 35 you installed electric power steering on!
I should think it would be very welcome in tight parking lots.

Re: Electric steering
 

Yes, more info!

Re: Electric steering
 

I to would love to put it in my 34 p u

Re: Electric steering
 

It's a pretty common mod in the vintage Mustang world and
becoming more popular daily....
Here's some of the details off the thread-

The cars with "fail safe" electric power steering....
2004-2009 Toyota Prius
2009-2013 Toyota Corolla
2006-2011 Toyota Yaris - (With ABS works in Fail-Safe).
2006-2011 Toyota Yaris - (Non-ABS needs VSS signal or flashing LED)
2007-2009 Nissan Versa
2009-2012 Nissan Cube
2012-2014 Kia Soul

The hot ticket for the 65/66 Mustang, which has a similar 1-piece
shaft from the steering wheel down to the steering box, like what
I'm guessing you'd also have on a '38, is the Prius or Corolla setup.

There is a packaging deal and I don't know what your '38 underdash
space situation is..... I'll post a photo of what these items look like.
It's basically a cut, and section deal with your factory steering shaft,
plus some wiring.
By "fail safe" I gather you've still got steering if the electrical power
goes off..... you just don't have power assist.

Re: Electric steering
 

Have looked into the possibility a while back as what was offered from

'UNISTEER'
The major obstacle that I found was if your vehicle had a column shift.
If the vehicle has a floor shift the installation looks relatively simple.



https://www.unisteer.com/collections...power-steering

Re: Electric steering
 

2018 Toyota Camry has electric steer.

Re: Electric steering
 

I know the Saturn unit is a popular unit. I have a friend putting on in a 38 PU. I put a GM 605 unit in my 47 PU, But had problem getting th e pump installed. Works now, but i'd use electric an my next project.

Re: Electric steering
 

I did a cylinder head replacement on a ‘35 Ford with an 8BA with a GM steering box and a pump mounted over the left cylinder head between the two center spark plugs and run by a belt off the rear of the generator.
Some old Chrysler cars had the P.S. pump on the back of the generator.
I believe this car had one of those generators with a pulley added where a p.s. would go.
It worked like it was meant to be there.

Re: Electric steering
 

I can not find any unit that is 6 volts??? or I would buy one.....

Re: Electric steering
 

What could be worse? A Fiat.

Re: Electric steering
 

Fix It Again Tony!

Re: Electric steering
 

And that brings up another point I failed to mention....
I'm told the Prius circuit for that system uses a 50 amp fuse and the
recommended wire gauge is 10 (?) to support that circuit.

Re: Electric steering
 

This site has some additional information.

https://www.therangerstation.com/tec...ps-conversion/

Re: Electric steering
 

That's the thread where I got most of my info.

Re: Electric steering
 

We had an electric PS unit off a Suzuki swift . Brief moment of contemplation for our 49 . Nope bad Idea , went to a GM rack and PS pump.

Re: Electric steering
 

I'm considering going with electric power steering when I get to that point. Long way off right now. I've already upgraded to 12 volt with higher output alternator. I noticed some of the units take a 80 amp fuse.

Re: Electric steering
 

Although I am not a big fan of 12 volt conversions, I think this is one situation where it would be mandatory.

Re: Electric steering
 

I buy mine from epowersteering.com. He has very good technical support for newbies. I kind of think were a little off topic here with electric steering, but I don't police the place. The 35 I did has a v6 chebby, so the assembly is mounted in the engine compartment. The steering column and unit mount to the floorboard (it is metal). The car has Mll rack and pinion. If you PM me your email I will forward the photos. You cannot tell the column has been modified from inside the car. I don't remember how much I charged him but the unit is about $650.

Re: Electric steering
 

ughhhh... are we seriously talking about putting nissan/toyota parts in an early V8 vehicle.

Dang fellas, get one of the grand kids to drive ya around:D

Re: Electric steering
 

No, Chevy Equinox parts made in Mexico. :rolleyes:

Re: Electric steering
 

Install a Flathead Steering Box. It's easy to park and looks original.
Kpar

Re: Electric steering
 

I installed a 2001 Toyota MR2 electric PS pump in my '49 F-47 with MII IFS with power rack and pinion steering. I detailed it over on the FTE site. here is the link.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ing-build.html

It works great!

Cheers

Re: Electric steering
 

Lucas gets an undeservedly bad rap.

GB

Re: Electric steering
 

There is a difference between using an electric power steering pump on an otherwise conventional power steering system and a self contained electric power steering module. The problem, which may or may not be a concern, is that it is relatively bulky and is hard to disguise if the column is normally exposed. What you are doing, in effect is adapting your vehicle to cope with impairments.

Mart.

Re: Electric steering
 

I did a Unisteer on my’ ‘53 Customline and used the original column shift. Takes a little time to figure out, but well worth the journey. Also put in a switch that varies the steering pressure. I stiffen it up for highway driving. Unisteer is a bit expensive but great support and units.

Re: Electric steering
 

I got good advice from Barm member Tom (Angledrive) and I am going with a kit from epowersteering.com. Good advice and reasonable price. I will in time let you know how it works.
Pete

Re: Electric steering
 

Just to give an update. Pictures of assembly and installed. I love it one hand steering in tight spots.
No interference with clutch or brake.

Re: Electric steering
 

Thanks for the update. Pete I like how your dash, seat, steering wheel and door covers match. It's kinda "giraffe':D

Nice to get and update from time to time to the thousands of threads here on fordbarn. Something new, always something to do.

Re: Electric steering
 

I disagree. The Prince of Darkness was a well deserved title. My Sprite and my wife’s MGB had more Lucas issues than any other sort.

Re: Electric steering
 

Pete. Can you get pics of the under-dash mounting? I looked on epowersteering’s site......showing products but no installation pics.

Re: Electric steering
 

Are the normal 12v alternators that are used on most of the Early Ford 12 volt conversions enough to keep the battery charged with these e-steering units. I saw in one post a 50 amp fuse required. That’s gotta be a lot of draw to keep up with? I think my alternator is a 100 amp. That’d be using half the output a lot of the time?

Re: Electric steering
 

A 50 amp fuse doesn't mean the current usage is 50 amps. There is usually a large margin between actual and fused. Sometimes the fuse size is determined by the wire capacity, not the load on the wire.

Re: Electric steering
 

And I would think the high current draw would not be continuous, only while the motor is working hard to turn the steering shaft.

Re: Electric steering
 

Edit

Re: Electric steering
 

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