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Stock front end on my 58 apache 1/2 ton. Any ideas on power assisted steering ? Was there an option in '58 ? Does anybody make kits for this appllication ? Running a 350 with a turbo 350 and don't know if I could come up with the resources to do a front end swap.
Thanks for any info you may be able to provide.
mike :confused:

hey gatormike, welcome to the bolt - from another 58 owner. there was a power steering option for the task force trucks that used a pump that ran off the back of the generator. not likely yu'll find 1 of those, but I'm sure some of the resto or hotrod places would have have info on updating, especially w/ the small block.
good luck w/ it, and let us know what ya find!

Bill

GatorMike: I have a 59 Apache somebody before me hooked up a 60"s G.M. something P.S. Unit on inside of rail works good for me. They had to put bracket on top of rail and then shimmed the 3 bolts out to make unit flush. Seems prety easy concept to me. Also running 350 w/400 trans it all fits.

www.classicperform.com

Check out the "Power steering kits" listed there-they use 70's-80's GM 1/2 ton box and pump.

www.classictruckshop.com

Here you will find a "How To Install" article on said kits.

Hope this helps. Best of luck with your project.

Regards,
Wannabe

Hi, I recently finished a power steering install on my 59 1/2 ton.(305/350) Overall, I would rate the experience a 7.5 out of 10. The kit did not fit as advertised, and tech help consisted of something along the lines of "I dont know, It should fit."

The holes in the frame were not where they were shown on the instructions,and I had to make a few other modifications. With that said, I am pleased with the result. I used a Buick tilt column from a wrecking yard, bought a pump and lines from Napa. I also bought the pitman arm offered to cut down on time spent trying to find one to fit.
The steering is easy to turn,and is smooth.
Down side: 1) Steering is almost to light, I am thinking of adding some caster shims under the straight axle to bump up the caster. That should make it track a little straighter.
2) Tire rubs on steering box on Tight right turns (8 inch wide rims/31 inch tires) so my parking lot manuevers are some times creative.

There is a kit out there that uses a toyota box that mounts in the stock location. It looks clean and I kind of wish I had done that one.

Gatormike-
I have a 57 and installed the power steering kit from Chevy Duty. I found a pump, hoses and steering box from a 76 all together at a junk yard. I found their instructions to be OK, and all the measurements were as expected. It works well around the yard, but handling at highway speeds is yet untested. I don't have the tire rubbing on the steering box, but the clearance is measured with a feeler gauge, not a tape measure.
Check out the web sites mentioned above, and there are others. Also, check the archives on this page.

Curly, do you know who carries the kit for the Toyota conversion?

There are kits for F**d F-100's but have not seen one for a G.M. Take a look at the installations though,there are a few sites out there on the net.The conversion can be done more or less the same on any truck that has an integral post on the steering box and sector shaft that exits the frame behind the front axle.The Toyota box is from a 1979-85 4X4 straight axle truck,you can fabricate your own brackets a lot more sturdy than the ones they sell in the kits.It is pretty much up to you to set up the pitman arm and drag link.The input spline is the same as a late G.M.

I am not an expert, but I suggest using the GM components. I don't know if it matters, but the Toy truck doesn't have the weight factors the older trucks have. I believe in keeping it all GM. Looks better that way.

The main reason the Toyota box is preferred for conversions is because the sector shaft end of the gear has enough reach to make it through the hole in the frame.That is important if you plan on running a stock beam axle,etc. without totally reconfiguring the front end of the truck.They have been used for years on F-1's and proved to be bulletproof.Be aware that most kits are made to make it easy for the home restorer or rodder.I personally would prefer to run G.M. Saginaw steering boxes,but the shape and configuration tends to make them harder to adapt.I have adapted some,and take time to do right and that costs more money than most people are willing to shell out. There are Saginaw 605 boxes that have been extensively modified for use in 55-57 Chevy cars.Have not tried to use a modified one in a truck yet. They are small and compact,and would handle an old pickup truck well.The Saginaw 800 series boxes are bigger,and are the usual boxes found in later Chevy pickups [G.M. vehicles in general]are the best by far,but they are big.