The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop Power Steering for a 1-ton

I want to put power steering on my '54 GMC 1-ton. I've debated how to approach it, and recenlty was looking at the parts used in the common 1/2-ton kit that uses a 70's to 80's pickup steering box.

Those kits include pieces to mount the box, a steering arm and a drag link. They require a steering box and pitman arm from donor vehicles.

I was thinking about copying the approach, but making my own parts. As I looked at a 1-ton beside a 1/2-ton I realized the bolt location for the steering arm looks the same on both the 1/2-ton and the 1-ton. I don't have a 3/4-ton so I can't compare one of those.

After staring a while I did some measuring and decided within the limits of what I can measure the bolt diameter and bolt centers are the same. These are the upper bolts that attach the backing plate to the spindle. It looks to me like the steering arm from the 1/2-ton kit will just bolt up on the 1-ton.

If that is the case then the steering box needs to be mounted to the 1-ton frame in the right location far enough forward that the drag link is the right length, and with the box centered to ensure the wheels point straight ahead at the right point.

So does this make sense? Think it will work? Have I missed something in my thinking?

The truck I want to modify is a '54 GMC 1-ton dually. However I plan to use a frame from under a '55 1st GMC 1-ton single wheel truck. I'll either swap the hubs or complete front axle. The 1/2-ton I measured is a '53 GMC. The 1-ton I measued is a '49 Chevy. To my knowledge none of the things that should matter are different between Chevy and GMC or year to year in the series.

Anyone know different? One concern I have is that most my assumptions are based on 1/2-ton trucks. My 1-tons may not be as similiar as I think.

One more thing worth noting. I am trying to maintain the 1-ton load rating. Simply swapping to a 1/2-ton axle does not support my purpose. And part of the idea here is to go straight-axle instead of IFS.

Thanks for any feedback or ideas!