Thread: Swapping spindles for front steer to rear steer

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Another general tip on posting, if you direct your questions to specific people then others who may have experience or opinion on the subject may not post, because you did not as for open input. You'll get more discussion, and chance for an answer if you list the questions alone, and reserve the one-on-one for specifics.

About the arms, I've not done it myself, but I've seen it discussed on other forums that tend to pure "old school" approach, like the HAMB, killbillet, or olskoolrodz so I think it's done. You just need to understand the geometry and play within the rules. Also know that you're making a one off, custom part and if you break it or wreck it later you'll be making another one.... If you haven't seen it lots of people go back to a R&C article as a basic reference Basic Suspension Geometry Lessons - Rod And Custom Magazine

On your steering rack, the position of the rack is going to be driven by the location of your steering arms, right? If they're aligned low, off the bottom of the spindle then your rack is going to be on brackets at that level with the chassis at ride height, right? That gives you the necessary travel for suspension movement. Others may jump in here - I'm only speaking from what I've seen. Never used R&P myself. If I've gone too basic in my reply don't take offense, as none is intended.

This will be my first street rod. Although I very mechanically inclined and have done all maintenance on my cars I've never done custom fab or set up a suspension. I inherited a '37 Buick Roadmaster that my Grandparents bought in 1942. It is all original but has not ran since '52 and has lots or rust. I want to build a resto-mod driver and have been researching for about 7 months. I want disc brakes. ball joints & power steering. Local hot rod shops all recommended a Mustang II front suspension, but I would rather update the existing front independent suspension, if at all possible. The aftermarket companies say my car is on the heavy side for Mustang II suspension because it will probably weigh 3800 lbs, even after I swap the engine I trans.
Have been writing back an forth with the author of the wiki on Crank shaft Coalition "http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/wiki/1937-1957_Buick_Oldsmobile_Pontiac_suspension_upgrade" and he has been very informative and helpful. He recommends that I keep with the rear steer but I want to upgrade the suspension to 90's or newer technology and rear steer is not common as far as I have found.
Do you know how the Mustang II, which is a front steer handles the Ackerman angle on such a large variety cars that were often rear steer before the conversion?
Thanks