I don't know if some of you guys knew it or not but very few new cars have power steering on their cars and NO power steering pump. How you say? Our BMW Z4 has electronic power assist (steering) that is operated by an electric motor that receives a signal from a steering angle sensor and a wheel speed sensor at the same time. This motor also has a drag on it so it will give you the feel of the road instead of just feeling like the front wheels are off the ground. Pretty cool huh? Quite suffisticated and complex, but simple at the same time. I guess I'm rambleing on because I stumble across a web site that has developed the same technology to go into our vintage vehicles. I know some of you older guys probably won't like this, but if you ever driven a car with this type steering and feel how much faster the response time is then you would love it. This system is VERY pricey and can only be used with their special steering column (of course). I'll give you the link so you guys can see it. And no this won't be going in my truck. I don't have $5500.00 to spend on this, but if I were a rich man, my truck would definately have it. Let me know what you guys think about this new concept. http://www.flamingriver.com/index.c...ategory_id=-1/home_id=-1/mode=prod/prd356.htm
If I was an old guy, I could say pooh-pooh and be done with it. Instead I'm thinking, "If you had the money, what would you need to add to your wiring harness to make it work?" at the same time I'm thinkin'- "It's a truck- I need the rough stuff to keep my eyes open behind the wheel!" ...because, of course, I am an old guy...
this makes me want to go junkyard hunting and go custom, doubt i could pull it off but i think it would be cheaper than 5500 ________ Ss 1
Hey Kyle I don't think any electric power steering is gonna be in any junkyard for sometime now. These are only on high end new cars like 2003 and up that I know of. As far as pulling this setup off. It really is simple if you know how it works. Hey Zig the only thing should be wheel speed sensor and a steering angle sensor and it should start working properly. I don't know how this setup is, it may come with everything you need. For the money it should. And don't worry about staying awake behind the wheel, with this kind of steering you can't help but weave in and out of traffic because it's so much fun to drive. Go to your local BMW dealer and tell them you want to test drive a Z4 and you will know exactly what I'm talking about. About the old thing, hope I didn't step on any toes, I didn't mean it that way, but if the shoe fits!!!! JUST KIDDING!!!
i dont think the year will effect it being in a junkyard. Stupid drivers also have money or a line of credit over their head. I recently read an article saying that 20 percent of the new C6 ZO6 corvettes have already been totaled. It's ahsame because they are only making so many, and at the rate theyre going, its going to be a very rare car. All i need is a local man/woman thinking they are jeff gordon and i am home free!. I hope they dont get hurt though, of course! ________ Buy Vaporizers
If you can find one of these cars in the boneyard then you better know your shit on how to get it to work. These are usually very complex systems on the car and needs several control modules to make it work correctly. If you find one from a BMW I would LOVE to try and help you figure it out though. I have all access to the information that anyone would need to figure this out. You never know I may see how much this stuff would be at my cost and try it. Now here I go again changing everything on my truck again. Oh well it's fun to play right???
Pretty impressive stuff -but- I like the basic , mechanical simplicity of my 58 year old truck , so far, the steering box is good to go ad it's never been opened up . I don't trust anything electronic to work that long n matter how bitchin' it is when new ~ all the guys went apeshyte for GM's Hydroboost combined power brakes & steering when it came out but I had to drive a klunker one with a bad belt on it and of course , the same instant I had to swerve hard _and_ stamp on the brakes , the goldarned belt slipped leaving me in a 2 Ton behemoth with NO steering nor brakes that wanted to go -straight- ~ I nearly popped an arm out of my shoulder socket avoiding an accident that time . This is a very good thread but you can keep your newfangled crap thankyouverymuch Plus , I have personal experince with 10 + year old BMW's and none of it is any good .
Ha Kevin, We have had that type power steering on our Volvo P1 style cars for a few years. Is neat to work with but is also the reason I like having my old truck. Just fun to come home from playing with the cars all day and get back to basics. Been working on Volvo's 27 years still fun. But nothing like spending a few good hours here and there working with the old '54. I also Love the feel of my old manual steering with the looseness and play.
I myself like the feel of an older vehicle, but for me it's the art of taking something that's as technilogical advanced as the new cars and incorporate it into the vintage truck that I really have a passion for. It's one thing to have it in a new car but in the old trucks and cars I think it takes a lot of skill, time, and frustration of thought out planning to make it work. Trust me I know there is a lot of time, skill and frustration that goes into restoration, but I just think it's cool to street rod and that's why I started this thread.
You have to be carefull with the modern electronic stuff, manufacturer over here called Rover (owned by Honda at the time) had the wonderfull idea of the total close system (when you lock doors all the windows and roof close too) and the safety stop for the windows all part of the ECU (engine management computer) so if your electric windows play up or one sticks open its hundreds of dollars for a new black box for your fuel injection!!!!! just be carefull the ABS system (or anything else) isnt linked to the steering control system as if this is the case you will be in a real mess if you have spent hours and hours installing this to your truck only to have it go the way of the smelly river. ________ Toyota Group Specifications
P.S that aftermarket system looks fairly basic compared with the factory systems, looks like it probably just gives you lighter steering all the time, ________ Babe German
You're right the aftermarket system was very basic compared to what I work with all the time. I'm not putting it in mine because of the expense but if money wasn't a factor then it would definately be in my truck. The thing with getting into this kind of stuff is just knowing and understanding how it all works is all. Once you understand it then it really can be basic stuff.
Better Steering I think if you take the time to repair the steering to it's original condition , where there is NO play at all nor looseness , you'll find it's a pleasure to drive , much moreso . -Nate
