Click on image for the lowdown. 
====
| | | Forums66 Topics128,049 Posts1,055,651 Members48,426 | | Most Online14,466 Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
| | THANKS!
For helping keep this great
old truck web site
on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down with Ads! Again, thanks! | | | | Joined: Jan 2017 Posts: 103 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jan 2017 Posts: 103 | Here's what I'm considering, but need input. Welding in the IFS X-Member sold by Scott Danforth. S10 Blazer suspension components. Electric power steering set up from a Saturn Vue, and the eBay controller/jumper thing. Here's where I need the most assistance: Manual rack and pinion. I've been pointed towards some pretty spendy units... would a rack from a Chevette suffice? I don't know anything about rack and pinion so please be descriptive as to why or why not. I also welcome all ideas that don't involve hydraulic power steering.
1949 3600
Don't sweat the petty things, and don't pet the sweaty things. Never play leap-frog with a Unicorn. 2 Wrongs don't make a right, but 3 lefts do. Of all the Henges, Stone is my favorite. If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you. Here's a word I just made up.....Plagiarism.
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2018 Posts: 112 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Oct 2018 Posts: 112 | Just a thought off the top of my pointy head; But I think you might be able to find a rack and pinion from a Vega, or a Monza on the cheap. You'll need to check (no matter which you choose) the ratio. It's variable, as to how much it turns from start. All the way through the radius. Most of the differences are at the start of the turn -- more responsive v less responsive. Just thought I'd mention it, in case it helps.
Good luck!
--Chris
'64 Chev C20 LWB stepside (Ol'Blue)
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2016 Posts: 1,039 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2016 Posts: 1,039 | I'm going with EPAS electric power steering on my 53 3100. Simple, model specific. Just cut a section out of the column and it bolts inline. Torques off column housing, Adjustable gain. No power steering box, pumps fluid, hoses or pulleys. There are some good videos on youtube.
Last edited by mick53; 10/28/2018 3:02 PM.
Old enough to know better, too young to resist.
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2017 Posts: 103 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jan 2017 Posts: 103 | I'm aware of the videos and install. I need help choosing a manual rack and pinion. Will one from a small car be strong enough to work in our big old trucks?
1949 3600
Don't sweat the petty things, and don't pet the sweaty things. Never play leap-frog with a Unicorn. 2 Wrongs don't make a right, but 3 lefts do. Of all the Henges, Stone is my favorite. If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you. Here's a word I just made up.....Plagiarism.
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,767 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,767 | With a little tinkering a hydraulic boost rack & pinion should be able to be used with a powered input shaft. Just do a little plumbing to allow a small volume of fluid to recirculate side to side to keep the pistons lubricated. Then a unit for a heavier vehicle like a mid-sized pickup could be fitted. Whatever rack is used, pay attention to the width of the inside tie rod pivots. They need to be very close to the width of the lower control arm pivots to prevent bump steer. Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2017 Posts: 103 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jan 2017 Posts: 103 | With a little tinkering a hydraulic boost rack & pinion should be able to be used with a powered input shaft. Just do a little plumbing to allow a small volume of fluid to recirculate side to side to keep the pistons lubricated. Then a unit for a heavier vehicle like a mid-sized pickup could be fitted. Whatever rack is used, pay attention to the width of the inside tie rod pivots. They need to be very close to the width of the lower control arm pivots to prevent bump steer. Jerry So if I understand correctly, the force of being used will do the circulating of the fluid? Therefore I would just need to use plumbing of some sort to connect one fluid port to the other, while providing a way to add enough fluid for it to function? (And hopefully never to be messed with again?)
1949 3600
Don't sweat the petty things, and don't pet the sweaty things. Never play leap-frog with a Unicorn. 2 Wrongs don't make a right, but 3 lefts do. Of all the Henges, Stone is my favorite. If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you. Here's a word I just made up.....Plagiarism.
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,767 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,767 | Both ends of the power piston cylinder have a piece of high pressure steel tubing that goes to the spool valve located on the pinion shaft. Connecting those two ports with a single piece of tube with a standpipe type vent tube teed into the middle should allow a few ounces of PS fluid or any other oil-based lubricant to circulate from end to end. A tall vent tube off the tee should prevent hydraulic lock in case you overfill things a little, and also provide a place to add fluid when necessary. Think outside the box- - - - -"I know the voices in my head aren't really there, but boy, do they come up with some good ideas!" LOL! Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2017 Posts: 103 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jan 2017 Posts: 103 | Both ends of the power piston cylinder have a piece of high pressure steel tubing that goes to the spool valve located on the pinion shaft. Connecting those two ports with a single piece of tube with a standpipe type vent tube teed into the middle should allow a few ounces of PS fluid or any other oil-based lubricant to circulate from end to end. A tall vent tube off the tee should prevent hydraulic lock in case you overfill things a little, and also provide a place to add fluid when necessary. Think outside the box- - - - -"I know the voices in my head aren't really there, but boy, do they come up with some good ideas!" LOL! Jerry While it sounds like it'll work fine, I think I'll just stay with a manual rack and pinion.... I don't feel comfortable experimenting with this particular project.
1949 3600
Don't sweat the petty things, and don't pet the sweaty things. Never play leap-frog with a Unicorn. 2 Wrongs don't make a right, but 3 lefts do. Of all the Henges, Stone is my favorite. If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you. Here's a word I just made up.....Plagiarism.
| | |
| |