The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Power steering for 1958 Chev Viking 4400 1-1/2 tonne

Good evening,

This is the first post on my way to building 58 4400 viking, I am in Australia and need to get proposed modifications cleared by an engineer for registration and would like to confirm a few things before seeing him as his time will cost me money.

I will post some photos of progress as i have enjoyed other posts on here watching build progress and learning a lot along the way .

Parts ready include:
215 HP 6bt cummins
nv4500 5 speed
dana 80 4.11 from 2008 f350 dually with disc brakes
Planned upgrade:
front brake disc upgrade



I have spent a lot of time researching thru the big bolt and other forums for an straight swap power steering upgrade for my 58 4400 viking.

Whilst reviewing the 1957 Chevrolet truck manual and finding steering box specs - (see below) and comparing them with the CPP 500 series steering box ( a straight swap -details below) they seem extremely close in shaft diameters and after finding a sales ad for a 1955 task force 2 tonne (web address also below) that claims he has a CPP steering box and also looks to have standard column i was hoping to confirm that:
1. the straight swap can occur also using the standard column
2. that this steering box would be strong enough for the 1.5 tonne front end weight


1957 truck steering gear and worm shaft diameter:
3100, 3200, 3600, 3800 (all 23.3:1 steering ratio) , 34, 35, 37, 5000, 62, 6642 (all 27.76:1 steering ratio) models - 0.750 diameter
4000-6000 & 8000- 10000 (all 23.6:1 steering ratio)models excluding 62-6600 - 0.814 diameter


pitman shaft for the 4000-6000 & 34, 35, 37, 5000, 62, 6642 was 1.245 diameter compared to 1.1205 for the 3100, 3200, 3600, 3800 models.
(all of these models had the same diameter on inner end)


CPP 500 series power steering box has:
SPECIFICATIONS: (for #CP50000 and #CP50003)
Steering ratio: 14:1
Input shaft is 3/4”-30 spline (the same as the 605 box)
Sector shaft is 1” 36-4 tapered spline, the same as the original 1955-64 pitman shaft
Pressure fitting is 7/16 tube (11/16-18 inv. fl.)
Return fitting is 3/8 tube (5/8-18 inv. fl.)


1955 2 tonne car hauler with CPP power steering ad and photos found at
http://classiccarsdb.com/chevrolet/30185-1955-chevrolet-truck-ramp-truck-car-hauler.html

CPP steering website
http://www.classicperform.com/NewProducts/2006/NewFiles/Series500.htm


Any help would be greatly appreciated

Thanks

Mathew

Hy 1958Viking, welcome, just to make you aware the 500 series steering box in your CPP link is for a car not a truck of any size, as far as I'm aware there is no bolt in conversion to power steering available for trucks of any size. There are some options available, but all would require some fabrication to install, hope that helps.

I would contact the company directly and get most of the specifications from them, if not all, that would be needed for Austrailian registration. I would forward them the paperwork that you need to fill out/satisfy. From what I have heard can be a brutal registration process down under. I think CCP is a big enough company that they are aware (or if not should be made aware) of the problems of using their products and might assist you with the registration paper work to help them get a better footing in the Australian market.
I found this article with pictures HERE Of course it only stated Chevies and a 1/2 ton Ford.
Please keep us informed as to what you find out from CCP, I plan to add power steering to my big 'Bolt but the plan is not so straight forward nor would be easy (read more time consuming for the engineer) to prepare documents for.
One last thought, if CCP says it's steering box has too little force for a 2 ton, ask if they could add a hydro assit cylinder like the rockcrawlers use for their HUGE tires.

As 3B stated Chevrolet never made a power steering box for the TF trucks, the best you could get was a power assist cylinder setup, which Chevrolet called power steering.

The CCP Series 500 power steering box is 1/2 & 3/4 ton rated only, they don't make anything for the big trucks.

Might be easier to find a modern school bus or truck setup to swap over...

Do you still have to build this as a Right Hand Drive truck?

Mike B

Good morning,

Thank you for the feedback and welcome :)

I had hoped that due to very similar shaft sizing of CPP and 57 Chev steering boxes that the they may be comparable in strength and fitting for a big bolt truck. (As well as simplicity of a straight swap)

As each ( 3B, gentrysgarage, & Mike B) have highlighted the CPP 500 series is for car size 1/2 & 3/4 ton.
Would using this smaller rating steering box on a 1.5 ton be acceptable if used for only cruising duties or would it be unable to turn wheels due to weight?

gentrysgarage I will contact CPP today and update with any feedback i receive,
MikeB yes my beauty is right hand drive assembled in Aus :)

Have a good one

Mat

Good day 1958 Viking. Another method of power steering that may be worth using is a modern electric assist power steering system.

Many new cars & trucks now use this method. Aftermarket systems are being used by many hot rodders and rock crawlers. Used parts for conversion are showing up in the salvage yards.
The electric assist will mount under the dash of your truck. You just need to cut the steering column and put the new actuator between the top and lower parts of the shaft. Some have a electric control box but it is small and will also mount under the dash.
A new aftermarket unit is affordable and a used system is cheap.
Have fun. Howie

Hey Mat,
I have my plan A power steering box being shipped to me. Once I get it I will see if it is feasible. Should be here Monday or tuesday

Hello,
Some feedback from CPP stated " I'm sorry the power steering kits we
offer are designed to fit half ton models only" this is in relation to the 500 series steering box they offer.

Have only briefly reviewed TRW electronic assist, i don't know what it is but i would like to keep it mechanical, it doesn't seem to sit with my idea of this era truck or maybe it is just fear of something i have little experience with

Gentrysgarage, looking forward to hearing about it

Cheers

Hi Mat,
It came in! Probably will take till the weekend to post pics. But I think you would only need Engineering drawings for the bracket....the steering head is STOUT!
Sorry for the tease I saw you were online and thought I'd give you an update

HI Gentrysgarage,

Got me hanging to know how it goes.

Looking forward to more info,
I have been searching the web for all sorts of solutions.

Please keep us posted


Cheers

Mat

Late model Chevy & Isuzu NPR's have heavy duty power steering that can be adapted. The NPR stuff is solid but very pricey. I know because that's what I mounted onto my '46 1.5T school bus.

And if you have a 5.9 up front, it will be putting a whole lot more weight on the front end for the steering to deal with. Mine is just a 3.9 (4BT) but it weighs about 400 pounds more than the original engine. The 6 is heavier still. And that extra weight also needs to be addressed on the braking & suspension side as well.

Mat, sent a PM to you, as I haven't had time to post pics

Hello


Had a look at 2006 Hino Dutro box, look similar and going to measure up soon, do you have any pics of your set up Tango?



Thanks for the feedback

Mat