Introduction
As we continue to build our Rhino to withstand more abuse and higher speeds some things must be accounted for if were going to continue to depend on it getting us back to camp. Although not all rides in the rhino merit a rhino hammering the chance is always there. Sometimes its nice to cruise around while it seems like I still enjoy racing through the trails the most. Project Rhino has grown into what I would consider a medium built Rhino that handles amazingly in all conditions like a mini truggy to a fairly capable rock crawler. As a result of building the rest of the rhino for speed, handling and performance we've overlooked one key element. An element that can result in you getting stuck somewhere with no control of the steering. I admit i've been fortunate enough to have not broken my stock steering rack. I am however a firm believer in trying to stay ahead of what I feel to be a potential problem in the future as a result of this new riding style. The stock steering rack as shown below is significantly smaller than our new billet rack. I think its safe to say the potential steering failure has been resolved before it was to late. Not a big fan of limping back to camp or being stuck somewhere because your vehicle wasn't able to get you back.
Failed Housing Photo's
(Thanks for those who sent photo's of there unfortunate steering failure)
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Side X Side Comparison Photo
Few More
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Kit Includes All Parts shown in picture below. This kit is a direct bolt in replacement no holes to drill just simple unbolt and bolt in install. "The track rods are made from high strength 2024 aerospace aluminum. The kit comes with all grade 8 hardware, chrome molly high misalignment rod ends, chrome molly clevises and 17-4 stainless bump steer spacers." Damn nice looking kit!
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Installation
As mentioned before the Billet King steering housing is a direct fit bolt-in replacement system for your stock steering rack. Consequently the installation is pretty straight forward and easy. Installation consists of removing the factory steering rack and packaging it up. We mailed it out to Billet King In Hesperia California were they cannibalize the internal parts and slide them into there HD Billet Housing. Then depending on the package you chose they send it back to you ready to go. Turn around time on our unit took around a week or so including both ways shipping. Next it was time to re-install the rack along with the rest of the replacement steering components. Everything bolted in like factory hardware including the steering arms. Billet King provides all the necessary hardware you will need to complete the installation. The only extra step we had to take was to drill out the spindle hole for the heim joints. That only took a minute literally, there isnt much drilling out more like removing the rest of the taper in the hole. Next we installed the steering arms and began working on re-alignment. Everyone has there own method of doing this while I like to measure the wheel widths from the rim itself. Starting from the back of the tire and then checking the front gap. Ideally you'll want 1/8" to 1/4" of toe-in.
Conclusion
With the installation being surprisingly easy since all hardware is accounted for in the kit combined with the superb quality of this product im very happy with it! The fact that its functional and looks great makes the kit that much better. Im even more happy with the level of security knowing my once undersized stock steering has been beefed up from spindle to spindle with some heady duty hardware.
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