Ian's Volvo TGB13 6x6

Time flys and so little gets done...

Diffs still out being rebuilt, and no progress on disc conversion as yet, although I do now have a pretty clear idea on what I'll do and calcs to validate. Still waiting for the hub to be 3D scanned to confirm the design details and get approval from the engineer to progress.

Two balls in the air at the moment.

1) Build a garage! Money now arranged, just need to convince the council to allow me to build one where I want to. It's going to be impossible doing an engine swop on a gravel drive and downright dangerous having it up on 6 axle stands for the disc conversion, so this next step is critical.

2) Sort out the power steering conversion. Lots of thinking been done on this and a clear plan of attack developed.
It starts with a Land Rover Freelander steering column which allows me to get the steering wheel into a more ergonomic position.
Then though the floor to a bevel box which turns the drive 90degrees (well 70 actually) to a Discovery power steering box mounted backwards. This will give me power steering, less turns lock to lock as well as eliminating an intermediate drag link.
I have most parts in hand now and was finally able to get on with the installation.
New column bracket fabricated (between rain showers - see 1), and column set in place. Position was previously confirmed by an MDF mockup some 2 months ago. Bracket has worked out really well and incredibly stiff!
For those amoung us who can weld - might be best to look away now...
Bevel box position is still under development, but pretty sure I know where it will live now I have the column in place.

Good part is - all these changes are reversible (but why I would ever do that I am not sure).

Steering wheel in the post, and bulkhead bearing also... Hope it doesn't rain next weekend too...

What's that angle box off? Looking good!! :)

Hi Sitec,
Pretty pleased to have made some actual progress at last. :D

Bevel box is off a Holden Frontera - or actually a Honda Passport or Isuzu Rodeo. It's the same as the one DasLandRoverMan used on the 2B Forward Control he built.
It was surprisingly cheap too (for a new part) ~70USD + shipping from US. It has 5/8"-36spline shafts, so a bit of fiddling needed to convert all the splines together...
Still need to work-out what the splines are on the Freelander column.

I plan to fix this to the body on the outside of/under the footwell keeping all the internal shafts fixed (no relative movement) and then run from the bevel box rearward to the chassis mounted steering box. As my body sits on isolators (yes - luxury), any relative body to chassis movement will be accommodated in this shaft.

Need to work out if I will get permission to play outside this weekend too...

Cheers,
Ian.

Nice work Ian!

With your welding, remember that slag inclusion is a weakness - treat it as being no weld there. On your bracket I would turn the amps up a bit more; weave from side-to=side to create a nice bead; and weld the full length of the joins.

Looking good :D

Cheers C

Ian - in the bevel box is the rotational direction on the output shaft the same as the input shaft or does it change.

Thanks Garry

Hi Chazza,
Good advice - thanks. Still new to welding, guess I'll be grinding back some of those welds then... Sadly those are the best looking ones I did. :( On the plus side - it is a little bit over-engineered. :D

Garry,
Clockwise in Anti-clockwise out. Picture of internals attached (from the web).

Cheers,
Ian.

I can see Garry and I r thinking along the same lines... 101 power steering!!! :)

Worked fine on the Coiler IIB.

I think a RHD P38 box mounted behind the crossmember (or possibly in place of the relay) with the drop arm on backwards.
Everything will work correctly at that.

Standard L/R splines are (I think) 3/4 x42 spline. Both splines are standard enough.
For the IIB we had a pair of joints made up with different splines at each end by Kiley clinton. Steering Racks Rack and Pinion Steering Kiley Clinton

Same, but in my case substitute P38 with Discovery... And pitman arm on backwards of course...

Am also in process of tracking down a 5/8"x36 to 3/4"x48 UJ which may help simplify the set-up. Still waiting confirmation from the US supplier...

Ian.

Hijack away, all good info. Nice to be able to transfer Volvo know how to 101s;)

Schematic of mine a bit like this...
Wheel to column, through shaft to bevel box. Bevel box facing rearward to power steering box with pitman arm reversed.

Hopefully, with all that, when I steer right (clockwise), the bevel box changes to anticlockwise which in turn causes the steering box to turn right too. Otherwise I'm in trouble...:o