I'm looking to purchase a steering box for my 1957 Chevy pickup, it has been converted to a Napco truck with a 348 Chevy engine. The truck is a 3/4 ton, but along the way I changed steering boxes a few times. I was not cognizant if the replacement steering boxes were 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton. Does anyone know how I can tell which is which. FYI: the Napco parts are 1/2 ton, they fit with no modifications.
This is important because the 348 exhaust manifold and the current steering box had to be ground a bit in strategic places to allow the engine to locate. If the two steering boxes have some minor but different dimensions, install could be more aggravating than normal. Thanks, don
bartamos: Thanks for the reply. Finding the correct part number is confusing. My assembly manual does not list the part number of my current steering box (at least the one that I have out of the truck which appears to be 1/2 ton) However, the illustration seems the same for 55-59. When I go to the website for "CarSteeringwholesale," the part number for the floor shift steering box for 55-57 1/2 ton is the same.
I'm not sure why, but the steering box in the truck is 1/2 ton (my install). The weird thing is that the truck is 3/4 ton, but the steering box is 1/2 ton (both current and prior one, which I took to be the original). However, a 3/4 steering box appears to mount with 2 holes, while the 1/2 ton mounts with 3 holes.
Bottom line is that I ordered the 1/2 ton floor shift steering box, it looks exactly the same as the the two I have and should fit. Thanks again for assisting. don
Can you give me the vendor and the part number you ordered? I assume you bought a rebuilt from Classic. They have long and short, 3 and 4 speed. Unless I misread your question, you want an original stock column. Which they don't make new. Old part numbers don't do much good anymore to search. Anyway, as I said, it's the same column, same mounting..... 1/2 T, 3/4 and 1T. I think you are getting confused with thinking there is a difference other than the length for 55-59. See THIS page.
The website you posted is in error when they show a different column for 3/4T. I would ALWAYS stick with our known vendors. That vendor is charging TWICE as much for the same rebuilt column and they don't know anything about our trucks. The 348 didn't come out until 1959 for trucks?........and not for factory 4X4.
Right is right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it. - William Penn
- I checked Classic: but they are out of stock - Expensive yes, but hard to find - I installed the 348 myself, just because I like the 348. Not as painful as you would think except for the steering box clearance. Plenty of torque and "W" engines appeal to me. don
Well, you get $300 back on the core, but since mine are ground down in spots that may not work for me. I did rebuild the two boxes I have and was not satisfied with the results. I followed the rebuild directions exactly (or at least I thought I did). So I'm going to give what I expect to be a professionally rebuilt one a try. I don't know if the four wheel drive front end is more sensitive than the regular front end. But I did rebuild the NAPCO front end completely, every bearing, seal and shim. It appears nice and tight. I even replaced the ring and pinion gears with 3:38 gear sets (hence the need for the 348 torque. I had a 261 and then a 283 in it, but they was a little soft. I don't even use the overdrive with the 348. The overdrive has a split shift circuit I built so it operates as a six speed trans).
At first I thought my issue (a little wandering and pulling when stopping) was the front brakes (actually Studebaker drum brake sets, believe it or not). So I fabricated a disc brake set-up for the front using 2000 Silverado rear rotors and calipers (not my design someone on the internet published their design). That solved my brake "binding" problem and it stops well. However, the slight wander and pull when braking still exist. Basically, after all of that, I'm willing to pay a little more to solve the problem.
Well if you were paranoid like me, you would be thinking: I won't know if it is good or bad till I drive it, then I've used it and they won't take it back. I know you can rebuild one, that would be no problem. But I understand your wanting to have it professionally built. The other paranoid thought I have is if Classic trucks, one of the biggest buyers of that column, is out of them, that means the other guy is out of them also and does not know his supplier is out or he didn't want to say and you will be getting a message that it is "back ordered, and we will notify you some day". The professionally rebuild guy is working in a dirt floor building and does not speak English. The only thing good about being paranoid is there are never any surprises. Hope all goes well Don.
Right is right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it. - William Penn
1. Yes they will, but it takes 8-10 weeks. Not a show stopper since I don't drive it in the winter (yes I know it is 4 wheel drive)
2. As per your suggestion I researched the power steering option. I didn't look at that at first because NAPCO trucks apparently could not use power steering, however it seems that the newer conversions will work. The more I researched this option the more I liked it. Reviews have been great in terms of upgrading the steering and tracking. The CPP conversion (CP5559PSK-OC) looks really good, and feedback appears excellent on the sites I visited. Also, the dimensions of the steering box look like a better fit to "tuck in" next to the 348 header without modification. This ends up to be about $750 - $800 considering you still need to buy the pump and canister. But the improved functionality appears dramatic from the feedback. I will sleep on it but I'm pretty sure I will go this route, same price as the "Carsteering" steering box, better performance, and parts are available now. It is possible to marry the old column to the new box, but I may get an Idit column that bolts right in, about another $600. I'm not sure about that, but it would make a cleaner install.
Thanks again for the power steering idea, that is a winner, technically I really like it. don
There are, as you say, many different kits and ideas and instruction videos. Power steering is a HUGE improvement. Very relaxing to drive. You will love it.
Right is right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it. - William Penn
Original one. Cut it at the box and attached to a their rag joint. CPP has a great tech article. Super easy install with the fenders off. Classic sella a bearing for the steering shaft that I tacked in place in the bottom of column. Biggest headache was double groove pulleys for this Pontiac.
58 1 ton Napco 59 1/2 ton Napco 58 1/2 ton Napco 55 1 ton 9’ bed 58 3/4 ton stepside 55 LCF boom truck (3) 57 2 tons
