Thinking about electric power steering on my Gen 4 Funco. If you have installed Electric on your buggy please share.

[onanysunday]

Through 21 years and probably tens of thousands of dune miles my rack finally decided to give up. Really could not have asked for more from it. I'm thinking about going with electric power steering.

 

[onanysunday]

So here is a post for my Dodge a100 truck build showing the gear one super rack I used. This along with the EPAS electric power steering unit needs to come off the truck and a big monster Howe hydraulic system is going on it. The electric power steering is the most powerful unit on the market but simply will not turn a pair of Toyo 888rs that are 295 wide tires. About 10 inches of rubber on the ground. And 2,000 lb on the front tires. Post in thread '1967 Dodge A-100 Hot rod sort of rat rod build thread.' https://glamisdunes.com/threads/1967-dodge-a-100-hot-rod-sort-of-rat-rod-build-thread.4986/post-199674 Link not working so page 49 and post 972 HERE

 

[onanysunday]

Here is another post showing the electric power steering unit. Heavy duty stuff and it would be tricky figuring out how to do my shafts and splines in and out of this unit. Plus getting it mounted. Certainly would add a little bit of weight with all the gusseting and brackets but I'm also getting rid of the power steering pump on the motor and all of the lines so I think it would be close to a wash. If I tried to do double D shafts and borgeson joints it would be so Overkill I think. I do have a call into Parker at gear one to just check on the travel on this rack but I don't see why it wouldn't work. Just mount it in a way that the pivot points for the two tie rods are in the same place. Although I do have a question if anybody has experience with a different rack on a Gen 4 and can you improve on bumpsteer? Post in thread '1967 Dodge A-100 Hot rod sort of rat rod build thread.' https://glamisdunes.com/threads/1967-dodge-a-100-hot-rod-sort-of-rat-rod-build-thread.4986/post-204653 Link not working so page 51 and post 1020 HERE

 

[HozayKwarvo]

Super interested to see what you decide. I'm still gen3 rack but not even getting 6 rides without a seal blowing out on a rebuilt rack, shit is getting old. Investigating lower pressure pumps and eager to see an electric conversion.

 

[onanysunday]

Kartek says they have sold a lot of these. https://www.kartek.com/parts/400-wa...tv-universal-electric-power-steering-kit.html Although he did not know of a Funco installation. Same principle as the EPAS unit I have but much lighter duty. If you put in this type of system you still need a manual rack that gets assisted.

 

[onanysunday]

This is what I am pulling off of the truck. It also has an adjustable potentiometer to set the resistance you feel. The Kartek unit does not. https://epasperformance.com/products/custom-power-steering-kit I also have this unit on a 62 Corvette on a Morrison chassis. Awesome product and we installed a lot of them when the shop was open.

 

[onanysunday]

Some photos I got today. He put electric power steering on a Funco Hustler. He gave me permission to post these.

 

[onanysunday]

One more showing the tag on that unit.

 

[Mac]

I converted my car over from hydraulic to electronic and never looked back. I feel it has a much better feel and response. Its pretty reliable with no issues. I run a basic rack. https://www.kartek.com/parts/kartek...load-rack-and-pinion-for-a-arm-sand-cars.html

You definitely need to run dedicated power and ground to it, and if your battery starts to run low, it will cut out.

I'd recommend https://epowersteering.com/ Ken is very knowledgeable and is a wealth of knowledge.

 

[AlpineFunco]

Super interested to see what you decide. I'm still gen3 rack but not even getting 6 rides without a seal blowing out on a rebuilt rack, shit is getting old. Investigating lower pressure pumps and eager to see an electric conversion.

Are you not better off just buying a new rack instead of rebuilding them?

 

[HozayKwarvo]

Are you not better off just buying a new rack instead of rebuilding them?

I have two polished ones that get rebuilt but don't last long. I tried a brand new one from Napa and it didn't last the purging of the lines.

 

[AlpineFunco]

I have two polished ones that get rebuilt but don't last long. I tried a brand new one from Napa and it didn't last the purging of the lines.

Well that sucks. Guess I got lucky with the two I had on my Gen 3.

 

[wesinls]

2 units from this guy and zero issues.

Offroad Racer Universal Electric Power Steering Kit - ePowerSteering

Offroad Racer Universal Electric Power Steering Kit - ePowerSteering

epowersteering.com

 

[Sutton]

My car currently has no power steering stuff in it, so I need to decide if I go straight to electric, or source everything for the pump and lines and reservoir. Curious to see what you decide.

 

[Meter Tech]

My new Extreme Performance DR1 came with Electric Power Steering (my first car to have electric steering) and it's really nice.
Very nice upgrade!!

 

[Sutton]

My new Extreme Performance DR1 came with Electric Power Steering (my first car to have electric steering) and it's really nice.
Very nice upgrade!!

What system does it run as far as a rack and the unit model itself?

 

[Looney Duner]

I did my electric power steering myself, way cheaper then you can buy it. 400W unit comes from various GM vehicles, mine from a Saturn vue. Took about 15 minutes to pull it a pick a part, and cost a whopping $25. The controller can be had for $50, and then whatever you need for u joints mounts etc. This is the same unit that most of the aftermarket suppliers use.
Another option is to buy a kit from Harvey, he sells it ready to install with the controller and u joints, at half the price of the link posted. He works at Joe fab during the season, and he is on here too... just can't remember his board name right now. I'm sure someone will chime in, there has been many on here that have used his kit

 

[Mac]

FYI, I learned this...

E-power steering draws like 50 amps. Wire it as such. It doesn't draw much until you get closer to the stops on each end and then it spikes from like 10 to 50 real quick. I had a battery going wearing out and it felt like I lost the control unit. It would be steering fine and then on hard turns, I'd lose power. I changed the module and the ECU...no change. I talked with Ken at E power steering, and he told me a weak battery would do that. Sure enough.

 

[wesinls]

Thought this might help you...Alumicraft did the install. Also pic below of the rack they purchased from Kartek

 

[Sutton]

Thought this might help you...Alumicraft did the install. Also pic below of the rack they purchased from Kartek

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Do you have a part number for the electric motor by chance?

Does anyone have experience running these with 12.5-17 fronts?