PA State Inspection

[poondobber]

Anyone know if I will fail state inspection if I remove power steering? Manual steering was an option in '97. I have a '98. I cant swap the '97 manual steering so I plan on de-powerizing the '98 rack.

Dont tell me its a stupid idea. I know that. Still want to do it.

 

[adsm08]

It is probably going to depend on a few different things, mostly the guy looking at it, and how hard it is to steer after you do it.

If it is super stiff and you are hanging off the wheel to turn it in a parking lot then you may get hit for excessive effort, under the "other unsafe conditions" rule. But there is no line in the inspection code that specifically forbids deleting power steering. You just need to make sure it is still steerable at low speeds.


Now for the big question. If you know it is a dumb idea, why are you still doing it?

 

[poondobber]

Now for the big question. If you know it is a dumb idea, why are you still doing it?

Clean up the engine bay, reduce weight, free up horsepower, be different.

 

[Denisefwd93]

It may not be rocket science but Aren't R&Ps something that are easy to re-purpose out of the other vehicles?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Clean up the engine bay, reduce weight, free up horsepower, be different.

Check out BlackBII's Ranger, he added an electric power steering column out of an imported car IIRC. If you are not using it I wouldn't think it would draw much power. A rack may exist that could be adapted too, I have no idea on that new of stuff.

The column would be a little farther back to help with your weight balance.

It would be different and would keep the inspectors happy if running with nothing bothered them.

 

[adsm08]

Clean up the engine bay, reduce weight, free up horsepower, be different.

You will likely have to put an idler of some sort in place of the P/S pump, the only part you are removing weights about 5 lbs, an e-fan will probably free more horsepower, and "to be different" is not a good reason to do something that you freely admit is a bad idea.

Just sayin.

 

[Denisefwd93]

I will say, the PS pumps are always a mess on these trucks. I have new hoses for mine but somethings are more important. so they are on the lower end of the "list"
Did any older Rangers come w/o PS?

 

[dw8]

Did any older Rangers come w/o PS?

My 84 Ranger has manual steering and manual brakes.

 

[adsm08]

I will say, the PS pumps are always a mess on these trucks. I have new hoses for mine but somethings are more important. so they are on the lower end of the "list"
Did any older Rangers come w/o PS?

Yes. Manual steering was available, at least for the 4-cyl engines, up until 1997.

It was dropped for 98 when the Rangers went R+P rather than recirculating gear box.

Usually the problem, and certainly my biggest concern, with depowering a power rack (or any steering gear really) is that the manual units are often geared much lower than a power one to give a bit more help at a stop or low speed maneuver. Depowering doesn't do anything replace that lost assist, and you frequently end up OK at speed, where the PS system barely does anything, and something that is almost impossible to get into a parking spot.

 

[Dirtman]

Dont forget the steering wheels were usually quite a bit larger to give more leverage on a manual system. Im not positive but even the shaft and joints were probably beefed up as well. I dont think its smart but if you insist on doing it make sure you check all these components to ensure they can handle the added stress.

 

[Denisefwd93]

Lol steering wheels were huge!
they could be used to steer boats they were so big lol

 

[adsm08]

Lol steering wheels were huge!
they could be used to steer boats they were so big lol

I had an 78 Olds for a while in college, and when I took the PS pump off the replace the fuel pump something went wrong inside it, and I lost most of my power assist. That had a big steering wheel, and man was it hard to turn at a stop.

 

[poondobber]

I have gone through all the parts comparing years. Barely any change from '97 to '98 except replacing the box with a rack. I compared manual vs power racks on mustangs and from what I can tell they are identical minus the hydraulic piston. Plus the rack on the ranger seems to be very close in design to the mustang. No idler pulley needed as there was none on the '97. Just need to buy the shorter belt.

Restating what was said above. The power steering on the Ranger is a mess. Steering is too light at speed and too heavy when parking. Its a older design that gives you the worst of both worlds. The rack seems to be unique to the ranger/explorer but the pump dates back to the 1990 Taurus and Aerostar. Im guessing the rack is just a hand me down design from the 80's.

As far as power is concerned. I have stalled the engine while parking and having the wheel all they way to one side.

 

[BlackBII]

I have gone through all the parts comparing years. Barely any change from '97 to '98 except replacing the box with a rack.

Well that, and they went from a TIB suspension to SLA.

You are down the road that I was going to recommend; getting a manual steering rack from a mustang or mustang ii. They are offered by many aftermarket companies in different widths and mounting styles. You can even get electric assist racks, though they are not cheap.

Depending on the engine you have, you might need to change the belt routing some if you remove the power steering pump. Do you have AC and want to keep it? That'll determine the belt routing and length.

 

[poondobber]

Belt routing is the same between 97 and 98 for trucks without power steering or AC. Ill get rid of the AC when I get rid of power steering.

I checked the manual rack options and could not find one that matched. I thought about buying a flaming river manual rack and seeing if I swap the guts or at least compare them.