Steering Rack and Pinion Conversion Kits
Replace an older steering arrangement with a rack-and-pinion system designed around your classic vehicle. Choose power and manual conversions for Chevy, GMC, Ford, and other applications, with vehicle-specific options for different frames, engines, brake setups, and steering configurations.
Rack & Pinion Steering Built Around Your Classic Vehicle
Rack-and-pinion conversions can divide the same vehicle family into very different setups. A Camaro, for example, may require a different system depending on whether the build uses manual or power steering, a small-block or big-block engine, and the clearance available around the steering shaft.
Truck applications introduce another split. Chevy C10 and C15 systems span 1960-87 models, with certain 1967-72 conversions split by disc- or drum-brake configurations because the existing front-end layout affects how the rack installs.
Manual systems keep the package mechanically simpler, while power versions add the pump, hoses, and steering shaft to the conversion. Header clearance, steering-column connection, and rack position then become part of how those pieces fit together.
That same chassis-driven approach carries across Belair, Impala, Chevelle, Nova, Corvette, Mustang, Fairlane, and Ranchero applications, each using a rack-and-pinion layout developed around its own frame and steering geometry.
FAQ
How do I choose the right rack-and-pinion conversion kit for my classic car or truck?
Start with the exact year, make, and model, then identify the engine, current steering system, steering column, front suspension, and brake configuration. Decide whether you want manual or power rack-and-pinion steering and check what the individual kit includes. Header and steering-shaft clearance should also be considered on modified vehicles.
What is the difference between a power and manual rack-and-pinion conversion?
A manual rack operates without hydraulic power assistance, while a power rack uses hydraulic pressure to assist steering. That changes the components required for installation. A power conversion may include or require a pump, hoses, and additional hydraulic hardware, while a manual system does not need those components.
What parts are included in a rack-and-pinion conversion kit?
Kit contents vary considerably. POL's manual Camaro/Nova conversion includes the rack, outer tie-rod ends, mounting bracket, and hardware. Its 1975-81 Camaro power system includes the rack, mounting hardware, pump and line kit, and steering shaft kit. Always review the exact product rather than assuming every conversion contains the same components.
Are rack-and-pinion conversions available for classic Chevy and GMC trucks?
Yes. POL offers power rack-and-pinion systems for several Chevy and GMC truck generations, including 1960-66, 1967-72, and 1973-87 C10/C15 applications. The 1967-72 range includes separate packages associated with disc- and drum-brake configurations, so existing front brakes should be identified before ordering.
Does engine size matter when choosing a rack-and-pinion kit?
It can. POL lists separate small-block and big-block rack-and-pinion systems for applications such as 1958-64 Impala and several Camaro generations. Engine and header configuration can affect steering-shaft clearance, while the power steering pump and accessory arrangement may also differ.
Will I need to modify the chassis to install a rack-and-pinion conversion?
It depends on the specific kit, but several POL systems are designed as direct bolt-on applications. The 1970-74 Camaro power system is designed for the stock frame and states that no chassis modifications are required. The manual 1967-69 Camaro and 1968-74 Nova system also mounts behind the stock crossmember using existing lower control-arm mounting locations. Always follow the requirements of the exact conversion.
What should I check before ordering a rack-and-pinion conversion?
Confirm the exact year and model, engine type, manual or power steering preference, steering column, front suspension and brakes, headers, wheel and tire setup, and available steering-shaft clearance. Then review whether the selected kit includes the pump, hoses, steering shaft, tie-rod ends, mounting hardware, and other components required for that application.