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Converting From Manual Steering To Power Steering In An Old Truck
I recently purchased a project Truck that you may have seen on another post. It is a 1966 Chevrolet C10 Pickup and it has manual steering with a steering box that is worn out. I figure if I am going to rebuild or replace the box...why not go power steering right? A kit is just over $600 and in some cases $700 so I figure I will get some parts from the salvage yard such as the brackets, pump, and steering box and I can save $300-$400. There is one bracket that I bought that is made by a couple of companies that will allow the mounting of the steering box to this old truck that wasn't made for one so I picked that up. I picked up a 1979 - 1984 steering box w pump that I can use. I think that the hardest part will be cutting the steering shaft to the proper length. I stand corrected...the hardest part so far was breaking loose the bolts on the old box without an air compressor or impact of any kind but I did it. I am going to be buying a compressor for sure! I just need to mock up the custom bracket and box to measure where to cut the shaft. I have room to play with because I also got a new ragjoint adapter that will allow for a bit of error. Pics to come so stay tuned.
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Dayum Phil!!!! Your jumping in head first... Sounds like a lot of work, but fun... I'm sure in the end it will all be worth the headaches, sweat and tears. Can't wait to see the pix. Btw, didn't know you were a wrench guy.
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Thanks Jimmy....I'm not really a wrench guy but it is in my blood...my Dad was a master mechanic when I was a little boy. I can do basic stuff and I cnsider myself mechanically inclined. ; )
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That's cool, well I'm sure your dad will teach you the tricks of the trade. Good luck!
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I made some good progress today so here are a few pics.
This first pic is of the old crusty manual power steering box http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/e...Pic1Before.jpg This next pic is of the new mounting bracket with another one the other side of the chassis rail for support and to allow mounting of the larger power steering box http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/e...ketMounted.jpg Now I needed to cut the old rag joint off and shorten the steering shaft. http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/e...c3ShaftCut.jpg Rag joint gone. http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/e...c4ShaftCut.jpg New Rag joint/ steering shaft adapter http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/e...intAdapter.jpg New Rag joint that connects the shaft to the box. http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/e...c6RagJoint.jpg This last pic is of the new/used power steering box and rag joint mounted. After I took this pic I connected the pitman arm seen at the bottom of the box. http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/e...BoxMounted.jpg Trying to hold that power steering box up and screw the bolts in from the other side of the chassis was quite challenging by myself and I might be useless tomorrow...lol I still need to weld or bolt the shaft to the adapter and mount the pump along with installing the lines. Thanks for looking, I worked really hard. |
Nice job! I know your arms are going to be so fucking soar tomorrow, even the next few days... I could see it now, arms trembling and shit. Ugh!
Btw, please be sure to be safe while working under the truck. Secure jack stands and not just a jack. |
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That's what fam is there for.... I would say some cold brews, but....may not be a good idea. Just put some in the freezer at least 15 mins before your done for a nice reward.
Another thing, forehead is not a good prop device..lol |
Update...Since this is not something that came standard on my truck and I am not a mechanic...it took a bit to do the research and get the right parts. Here is a sneak peak, I need to change the belt configuration to have the crank drive the ps pump and the alt. Looks way better now. I still need to buy a new upper/lower radiator hose, find or make a spacer for the ps pump on the exhaust, find ps hoses, weld the steering shaft, change out the fuel filter and reroute it,and clean up some of the engine...what do you folks think?
Before 1 http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1104/...4b38f6de6d.jpg Before 2 http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1352/...630875b2e2.jpg After 1 http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1380/...459aeb5026.jpg After 2 http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4126/...ee8ae40720.jpg |
Phil, now you made a clean spot. Lol. You got a lot work left. Looking great!
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