You can just cut the v-belt and let things go with that.Many,including
myself, have been doing just that for years.

The second most inexpensive way out is to cut the v-belt and add a steering
wheel from an Aircooled Vanagon.It is larger and will give you added
leverage in steering.You can see your gages then ,too.

Thirdly, you can buy a rack rebuilding kit for about $75.

Fourthly, Bus depot has the cheapest rebuilt rack at about
$275.Installation is not too difficult and will cost maybe a couple of
hundred or less to install it.