'57 Ranchero info needed

M

Motorhead6

Senior Member
I'll be taking the Ranchero off the rotisserie shortly and am about to start the mechanical work on the chassis.

Need to know if anyone has adapted a rack and pinion from a donor car and what will fit. I have seen after market kits but when all is said and done, the turning radius is greatly increased and I don't want to go there.

Also, need to know what disc brakes will readily adapt to the Ranchero. If I have to use donor spindles, which ones will work?

Thanks, Motorhead
 
I knew a guy who put 72 Torino front discs and spindles on a 57. He said he heated the top ball joint area on the spindle and bent it to fit. Some may question that method.
 
Motorhead6 said:
Thanks Lowrider and Ole Don. Any idea what machine work is necessary?
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The lower ball joint tapered hole need to be machined a little deeper to allow the 57 ball joint stud to get enough threads for the castle nut to fully engage and get the cotter pin in.

Look at the many vendors out there. There are kits that fit the stock 57 spindles using off the shelf parts. No magic required.

As far as steering goes, Borgeson makes a kit, stock 61 - 64 steering boxes along with their respective pitman arm bolt in and the steering effort is greatly improved. Both of these option require steering column modifications.
 
I really can't speak to the Ranchero, but I put a R&P in my 55 bird years ago. I wouldn't do it again. More time and trouble with the bump steer, etc than it was worth.
 
Thanks for the help, Barners. Got a pair of '69/'70 Cougar front spindles and rotors and will use a GM dual M/C and booster set up. Pretty much decided to go with the Borgesen P/S steering box rather than the rack and pinion. Not very many guys seem to be happy with the R&P, especially the turning radius. I'm thinking the driveability issues can be resolved by changing the front end settings, but just can't live with increased turning radius.
 
Just helped a friend put a Borgeson in his 67 Fairlane. Outside of the steering column modifications it was a bolt in. The newer Ford pumps will not work. Put in a GM pump, not sure what model it came from. I do know it was later as it had a serpentine pulley.

He loves the setup!
 
Wilwood makes a nice disc conversion for the Fords. I was considering a power steering/ rack & pinion conversion, but my OG '59 manual box works pretty well. Just have to plan ahead a little for tight parking spots. Radials help reduce the effort.
 
34pickup said:
I knew a guy who put 72 Torino front discs and spindles on a 57. He said he heated the top ball joint area on the spindle and bent it to fit. Some may question that method.
Click to expand...

I put 72 Torino spindles on my 57 Ranchero years ago.Everything measured out the same,but it really messed up the turning radius.
 
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