Manual Rack

Anyone ever think about taking a manual rack from say a Geo Metro and cutting it down for use on a tractor?

Not tractor, but I don't see why it wouldn't work on a modified LT
This is a Dodge K-car power rack (not powered) attatched to a front axle made of square tubing that uses spindles from a Massey GT

AcreFarm wrote:

Not tractor, but I don't see why it wouldn't work on a modified LT
This is a Dodge K-car power rack (not powered) attatched to a front axle made of square tubing that uses spindles from a Massey GT

That's sorta what I'm thinking. I wonder how it performs.

It does very well. The only problem I have is the space for a drag link was very limited... too small for auto parts.
I've tried regular GT type ends, and heim joints and they both break after a while.

I have a rack that i bought at a swap meet many years ago. Its real small and very strong, the VW dune buggy guys use them. wish i could remember what brand it was. some day it will make it on my tractor.

The only real way to see if anything works is to try it - called fabrication. Id go to a junkyard, and buy one - im sure they cant be that much and just experiement with it - that one guy used a rack from a golf kart .

To bypass the power part ( or the pump) - just fill the rack with power steering fluid and cap the holes where the pressure lines go in .


Tractors dont really need alot of tight tolerances , unless its involved with speed, for general trail riding , if the rack ends were cut down and rewelded it shouldnt make a difference.

If someone to really go wild- use hydraulic or electric steering - like on monster trucks or rock buggies - what about a linear actuator? Small hydraulic ram?

Just depends what your budget is.

My tractor originally had hydraulics on it that run off the trans. I have thought a many a times about making hydraulic steering.

dangeroustoys56 wrote:

The only real way to see if anything works is to try it - called fabrication. Id go to a junkyard, and buy one - im sure they cant be that much and just experiement with it - that one guy used a rack from a golf kart .

To bypass the power part ( or the pump) - just fill the rack with power steering fluid and cap the holes where the pressure lines go in .


Tractors dont really need alot of tight tolerances , unless its involved with speed, for general trail riding , if the rack ends were cut down and rewelded it shouldnt make a difference.

If someone to really go wild- use hydraulic or electric steering - like on monster trucks or rock buggies - what about a linear actuator? Small hydraulic ram?

Just depends what your budget is.

I agree with you, but there's no point in reinventing the wheel if it's known that it will not work.

Also, if you get a rack from say a 3 cylinder Geo Metro, they are manual without having to do anything special. Maybe I'll start trolling the JY's.

I used a manual steering rack on my monster mower. With 35" tires you can steer it with one finger. Golf cart parts are way too expensive. Rack was $29.00 at salvage yard. I shortened the tie rod ends as much as I could. The rack ended up about 36" in length. may be too long for a mower.