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Old 03-02-2021, 04:52 PM   #1
Pete Fl/Wi
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Default 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
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Old 03-02-2021, 05:25 PM   #2
Mart
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Default 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.
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Old 03-02-2021, 05:33 PM   #3
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Default Re: Electric steering

Mart, you are a brave man to drive a car with Italian electrics , specially the steering, LOL
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Old 03-02-2021, 05:47 PM   #4
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Default Re: Electric steering

I installed one on a '35 for one of my Hobby Members and it is one slick piece to drive.
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Old 03-02-2021, 06:01 PM   #5
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Default Re: Electric steering

Lawrie
He is already used to Lucas, what could be worse?
Bruce
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Old 03-02-2021, 06:05 PM   #6
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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.
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Old 03-02-2021, 06:16 PM   #7
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Default Re: Electric steering

Quote:
Originally Posted by johndee138 View Post
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.
Yes, more info!
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Old 03-02-2021, 06:36 PM   #8
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Default Re: Electric steering

I to would love to put it in my 34 p u
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Old 03-02-2021, 07:10 PM   #9
1948F-1Pickup
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Default 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.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg electric steering.jpg (147.1 KB, 266 views)

Last edited by 1948F-1Pickup; 03-02-2021 at 07:26 PM.
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Old 03-02-2021, 10:06 PM   #10
51 MERC-CT
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Default 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
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Old 03-02-2021, 10:28 PM   #11
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Default Re: Electric steering

2018 Toyota Camry has electric steer.
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Old 03-02-2021, 10:36 PM   #12
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Default 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.
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Old 03-03-2021, 12:23 AM   #13
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Default 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.
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Old 03-03-2021, 09:10 AM   #14
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Default Re: Electric steering

I can not find any unit that is 6 volts??? or I would buy one.....
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Old 03-03-2021, 09:50 AM   #15
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Default Re: Electric steering

Quote:
Originally Posted by cmbrucew View Post
Lawrie
He is already used to Lucas, what could be worse?
Bruce
What could be worse? A Fiat.
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Old 03-03-2021, 10:27 AM   #16
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Default Re: Electric steering

Fix It Again Tony!
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Old 03-03-2021, 12:02 PM   #17
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Default Re: Electric steering

Quote:
Originally Posted by big job View Post
I can not find any unit that is 6 volts??? or I would buy one.....
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.
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Old 03-03-2021, 12:54 PM   #18
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Default Re: Electric steering

This site has some additional information.

https://www.therangerstation.com/tec...ps-conversion/
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Old 03-03-2021, 01:40 PM   #19
1948F-1Pickup
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Default Re: Electric steering

That's the thread where I got most of my info.
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Old 03-03-2021, 01:40 PM   #20
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Default 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.
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Old 03-03-2021, 01:54 PM   #21
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Default 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.
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Old 03-03-2021, 02:06 PM   #22
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Default 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.
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Old 03-03-2021, 08:03 PM   #23
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Default 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.
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Old 03-03-2021, 08:22 PM   #24
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Default 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
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Old 03-03-2021, 08:30 PM   #25
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Default Re: Electric steering

No, Chevy Equinox parts made in Mexico.
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Old 03-03-2021, 09:41 PM   #26
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Default Re: Electric steering

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Install a Flathead Steering Box. It's easy to park and looks original.
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Old 03-05-2021, 12:38 PM   #27
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Default 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
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Old 03-05-2021, 01:00 PM   #28
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Default Re: Electric steering

Quote:
Originally Posted by cmbrucew View Post
Lawrie
He is already used to Lucas, what could be worse?
Bruce
Lucas gets an undeservedly bad rap.

GB
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Old 03-05-2021, 01:43 PM   #29
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Default 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.
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Old 03-06-2021, 04:57 PM   #30
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Default Re: Electric steering

Quote:
Originally Posted by 51 MERC-CT View Post
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
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.
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Old 03-06-2021, 07:11 PM   #31
Pete Fl/Wi
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Default 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
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Old 04-14-2021, 01:59 PM   #32
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Default 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.
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File Type: jpg IMG_0604(2).jpg (45.3 KB, 106 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_0597.jpg (49.1 KB, 109 views)
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Old 04-14-2021, 05:37 PM   #33
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Default Re: Electric steering

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

Nice to get and update from time to time to the thousands of threads here on fordbarn. Something new, always something to do.
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Old 04-14-2021, 06:28 PM   #34
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Default Re: Electric steering

Quote:
Originally Posted by Graeme / New Zealand View Post
Lucas gets an undeservedly bad rap.

GB
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.
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Old 04-14-2021, 07:56 PM   #35
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Default 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.
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Old 04-14-2021, 08:11 PM   #36
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Default 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?
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Old 04-14-2021, 09:15 PM   #37
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Quote:
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I saw in one post a 50 amp fuse required. That’s gotta be a lot of draw to keep up with?
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.
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Old 04-15-2021, 10:45 AM   #38
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Default 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.
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Old 04-15-2021, 02:42 PM   #39
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Edit
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Flathead Ted brake Floaters ,

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Old 04-16-2021, 11:49 PM   #40
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Delet
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Old 04-17-2021, 12:13 AM   #41
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Default Re: Electric steering

Quote:
Originally Posted by 39portlander View Post
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

Well, that Nissan/Toyota may have been an old Ford in its former life, so no big deal!
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