$2k build BMW 325 reruns

Purchased this 4L60E today at go pull it In Jacksonville. Also got the dip stick , dip stick tube and PRNDL switch.

I have moved the challenge car out of the shelter and into the shop. Time to get rolling on this project!

I got the car up on Jack stands this morning. I Wanted to check and verify the rear axle ratio. I Marked the tire and the pinion flange with tape, spun the tire 2 revolutions and counted the turns on the pinion: 6 and slightly more than 1/4. That verified the 3.15 to 1 that I was told.  

I Started on the Prius power steering column install today. Pulled out the old column and cut it I two. The steering shaft is tubular and is a decent slip fit onto the Prius upper u-joint yoke.

I was able to remove the splined shaft from the Prius yoke by drilling out a dimpled spot on the yoke and tapping the the yoke off the shaft. Welded the upper column mount to the BMW column support. Then hung the column after I cut an opening in the inner cowl to accommodate the power motor.

Then I got the BMW lower column and shaft mated up to the Prius column. Next weld and pin the joint combining the upper and lower shafts make a lower support bracket for the upper column and box in the cowl around the power motor.

This is getting exciting!

Found this 12' section of aluminum gutter laying on the side of the road this morning. This has to come in handy somewhere.

So I made the upper bushing for the lower steering column out of a 1 to 3/4 PVC pipe bushing.  Welded the Toyota lower u-joint yoke to the BMW lower shaft. Then drilled the combined shafts for a safety bolt.

Made a template for the box to cover the hole in the cowl. Cut the metal out of a door off one of the free cabinets I got. Folded it up on the HF finger brake.

Awesome Mark

Thanks! Bogged down a little on some side work right now, but still trying to get a little done every chance I get. Looks like the driveshaft you made will work with a 4L60e if I move the motor back about 2.5 inches. Looks like there is enough room for that as long as the bell housing clears.

I have been on vacation the past 12 days. I am back home now and got started on the car again. Built the front support bracket for the power steering column. Installed the bracket and the box on the cowl area to clear the power motor on the column.

madmrak351 said:

I am struck by how much this looks like a stubby torque wrench.

In reply to Robbie (Forum Supporter) :

I can see that!

Finished the mechanical portion of the EPS column install. Yesterday.

Including the smallest diameter Toyota product steering wheel (Scion TC 1st gen) I could find in the junkyard last Friday. Then started removing the rear subframe To facilitate straightening and reinforcing the rear sway bar mounts. As I am under the car I hear my wife call out for me 3 times each with an increasing sense of urgency. Had to deal with this unwanted guest who slithered out of the attached garage. I don't want to cohabitate with a venomous critter.