Shorter Ratio Steering Racks?

[99streetranger]

Hello,
I am getting my Ranger ready for autocross later this year and one thing I need to do is make the steering faster.
Are there any quicker ratio steering racks that will fit? Or maybe a different pinion gear that I can install into my current rack? I don’t really want to resort to a steering quickener box, but I will if I have to.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

There are longer pitman arms.
Oops, I'm not sure about the SLA type trucks. Mine is TTB. Post #45 in my low buck race truck build if it works.

 

[99streetranger]

There are longer pitman arms.

Sorry, I forgot to clarify. I have a 99 ranger which has rack and pinion steering. Doesn’t have pitman arms. I think they changed it to rack and pinion after 96 or 97.

 

[stmitch]

The steering rack in 98+ regular cab rangers (and 97-01 Explorers with 2 doors) are 4.0 turns lock to lock:

https://www.autozone.com/suspension-steering-tire-and-wheel/rack-pinion/p/duralast-rack-and-pinion-64174/261064_0_0?searchText=steering%20rack

The steering rack in 98+ extended cab Rangers (and 97-01 Explorers with 4 doors) are 3.5 turns lock to lock:

https://www.autozone.com/suspension-steering-tire-and-wheel/rack-pinion/p/trugrade-endurance-rack-and-pinion-64175/261066_0_0?searchText=steering%20rack

 

[99streetranger]

The steering rack in 98+ regular cab rangers (and 97-01 Explorers with 2 doors) are 4.0 turns lock to lock:

https://www.autozone.com/suspension-steering-tire-and-wheel/rack-pinion/p/duralast-rack-and-pinion-64174/261064_0_0?searchText=steering%20rack

The steering rack in 98+ extended cab Rangers (and 97-01 Explorers with 4 doors) are 3.5 turns lock to lock:

https://www.autozone.com/suspension-steering-tire-and-wheel/rack-pinion/p/trugrade-endurance-rack-and-pinion-64175/261066_0_0?searchText=steering%20rack

Hmm. I also have a theory that Ford uses a lot of the same internals between SN95 steering racks and Ranger steering racks. While the housings are different, the internals may be swappable. I already know that the same mounting bushings will fit both. I might have to pull some apart and compare. Maybe the pinion gears can be interchanged?

 

[RonD]

Smaller diameter steering wheel

 

[99streetranger]

Smaller diameter steering wheel

Maybe, but I think the stock wheel is just fine in terms of size.

 

[RonD]

Smaller steering wheel is quicker steering response with less movement
Same as changing pinion size, just opposite end of the steering shaft

 

[JoshT]

The steering rack in 98+ regular cab rangers (and 97-01 Explorers with 2 doors) are 4.0 turns lock to lock:

https://www.autozone.com/suspension-steering-tire-and-wheel/rack-pinion/p/duralast-rack-and-pinion-64174/261064_0_0?searchText=steering%20rack

The steering rack in 98+ extended cab Rangers (and 97-01 Explorers with 4 doors) are 3.5 turns lock to lock:

https://www.autozone.com/suspension-steering-tire-and-wheel/rack-pinion/p/trugrade-endurance-rack-and-pinion-64175/261066_0_0?searchText=steering%20rack

That's unfortunate. Reading this thread I was suddenly interested in a shorter ratio rack. My truck is an extended cab so it would already have the 3.5 steering rack. Any chance that being a 4WD makes it the 4.0 turn box and I could still get the upgrade?

That was a rhetorical question. I already know the answer, but one can dream right.

I guess I'll have to settle for the improvements made by going to a shorter tire and thinner sidewall.

Hmm. I also have a theory that Ford uses a lot of the same internals between SN95 steering racks and Ranger steering racks. While the housings are different, the internals may be swappable. I already know that the same mounting bushings will fit both. I might have to pull some apart and compare. Maybe the pinion gears can be interchanged?

If you explore this, please let us know what you find.