manual rack and pinion for minivan

[TURBOVAN]

i have an 89 turbo van, and was told 84-88 racks there was a manual rack availible, but the 89-90 vans didn't have one availible. i was told something was different between 84-88 and 89-90 and they don't interchange. i found a guy who converts power racks to manual racks. my van already has a 3 turn end to end ratio, i'm not sure if they all have that or not. the guy told me all van ratios were the same and he couldn't change that. you have to give them your old rack and they rebuild and convert it for 249.00. http://mavalgear.com

[A.J. Lemieux]

I could have sworn I all ready answered this. The difference is the later years use 10mm bolts and the earlier years use 8mm. And I think it's more like '84-'87 and '88-'95. When I replaced the rack in my '88, I got one for the same year and the bolt holes were to big. I got one for an '87 and it was the smaller bolt holes. When I got a new K member (I bought the van used and it was bent) I got an '87 to match the rack just in case the '88 had bigger bolt holes.

Also.......The rack in my '89 Daytona has a shorter turning radius than an '88 I had. Keep in mind that Chrysler was going under in the 80's and alot of stuff is interchangable. I wouldn't be surprised if the racks are the same between cars and mini's except for longer inner tie rod ends to make up the the wider wheel base.

A.J.

[Reaper1]

The racks are NOT interchangeable between cars and vans...the vans are longer. I have a manual rack for a van in my possession(it is for sale!). It came out of an '84 Ram Van with NO options...4-speed manual tranny, heater and vent only, manual steering...quite interesting really....

[turbovanman]

Why would you want manual steering in a mini? seriously?

[Reaper1]

#1, less weight(about 15 pounds)
#2 more room to work on the engine...less complexity
#3 more power...no more PS pump to drive....

I was going to do it to mine before it broke...