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Does any body know of a way to keep the original steering colum from a '47 to 55 -1st and attach a p/s unit to tha frame that dosent take a rocket scientist and be a snap-on dealer to install? Is there such a thing? Don't want the new rack hanging onto my orig. straight axle but there has to be a simplier way! Thanx in advance!
bowtie

howdee bowtie!!
good to see ya...

looks like we're both from the hillcity... cold ain't it..

i'm working on a '35 chevy pickup and i'm keeping my straight axle too... my box mounts to the frame next to the firewall... where does your box mount??...
bill

Does anyone know if there a power-assist unit that would help? This way you don't have to drill, tap, and re-configure engine compartment. Just attatch to the gear box. Only time power steering is better than power-assist is on a stand still, otherwise rolling momentum helps in steering.

jose56 - there is an original power steering setup for the TF trucks, pump mounts on back of generator, steering box is the same w/ hydraulics added to the steering linkages - might find one available somewhere

Bill

bowties,

I am not real up on this but I thought there had been mention of a Toyota 4WD steering box working on these old trucks. I think the thrust of this swap was the fact that the box mounted quite similar on the frame and the Pitman arm was in the same plane as the AD trucks.

IF..this is correct, the tech part would be grafting the AD column to the Toyota box. The pump would have to be mounted to the engine too.

Maybe this isn't "off the shelf" enough for your plan though..more info will probably be along soon.

Stuart

Hi Bowties,

Sorry, no simple fix. I am adding PS to my '52 and have found 3 different ways to do it and still keep my original steering column, but whichever way you go, you still need to mount a power steering pump of some sort on the engine.
1. Add the type of power assist unit that sort of mounts a hydraulic cylinder between the steering rods and the frame to give the boost. (This is old and might not be avalible any more)
2. Add the 'new' rack and pinion system that attaches to the axle.
3. Change out the present steering box with a GM 605 or Toyota power steering box, use one of the 'kits' and Pittman Arm from Chevy Duty, Jim Carters, or etc to mount the box and connect it to your front end.

You don't have to do anything to the steering column with method #1.

For methods #2 and #3, you cut off the original steering column a couple of inches past the firewall, add a lower bearing for the steering shaft, throw in a couple of 'U' joints and you're good to go!

I think that methods #1 and #2 look sort of dorky so I'm going with #3.

The following link shows exactly what's involved with #3. http://www.classictruckshop.com/t1.asp

Good luck. Takes a little effort but its worth it. Happy motoring.

52Ted

I didn't know they had a "toyota power steering conversion kit" available for the 47-54 chevy truck. It's the pitman arm that I would like to find. All the toyota conversions I have seen have had to have the steering arms heated and stretched or "custom" pitman arms fabricated from scratch. If someone could point me to someone who has a kit, this would be the one I like best.

Hey hillcitybill, good 2 c-ya and yes its cold here ,but what r we gonna do when winter really gets here? lol My steering gearbox also mounts to the frame between the front tire and the firewall. The column go straight into it. I have seen people move the box over about 1 1/2 inches but that makes the steering wheel very akward, so I'm looking for something to do with my original column and put power on it. I think I'll go for door #3 the Toyota rout and just mount my shock to the rear of the axle instead of the front. Thanx for all the help guys, Good luck to ya all! bowties

http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/journal.php?action=view&journalid=2439&page=1&reverse=1

This link leads to a hotrod site and the owner of this journal is obviously VERY capable. Shows how he installed Toyota Power Steering on a 53.
Further exploring in this journal has a lot of interesting tips for AD Bolters.

Prairie Sailer, Thats great, I can still use the new parts I bought along with that set up. Great site. You guys need to chect this out!!!!!!!!! The only question is: what about a V-8. thats the problem we have now , not enough room for a exaust man.on the driver side. Great for the I-6 It might be just one of those "make it fit" deals. I cross that bridge when I come to it also. Your r rite 52 TED it is definately worth the effort! Thanx again ,bowtie

I made my own conversion for my 52 1 ton, and used the original column.
Check it out on the link below, under the axle upgrade folder.
I would say you could come by and look at my truck, but I drove it up to WV where I work last week..
e-mail me if you have any questions

Grigg,

I hunted for a video to watch tonight. I couldn't find one that looked fun so I cruised in to the puter for a look at the Bolt. I just watched your entire "axle upgrade" folder in slide show fashion...the best video I have seen in years.

I just can't imagine doing that amount of work. I actually feel like setting my old POS on fire after seeing the stuff you have done..beautiful!

Seeing all the background is almost as fun as the subject of the photo..I saw a rotary phase converter next to the mill..an inserted tooth circle saw on the wall and tons of neat old oil cans...that stuff is right up my alley.

The old red truck is huge, or at least it has a real long bed. After the running gear, is there some bodywork on the schedule. Incredible work, keep us posted.

In-Awe-Stu

I'll admit, it was a lot of work, but if I ever do it again it won't take half the time. It was a lot of measuring and figuring, and trying, and searching for the right parts, otherwise it was simple actually.

As for the rest of the truck. I was only using it to test my new axles and steering and brakes. I will soon swap my converted stuff to a 48 model 6100. I may eventually put the pickup back together as original, but the body needs lots of work, and I don't think it is worth it. The bed is not bad, but I want a bigger truck, so mt 1 ton will sit in the back yard till I have more money than I know what to do with.
As for the new truck, it will soon have a Detroit Diesel 4-53T engine and a 13 speed Roadranger overdrive transmission. And even a good body and nice paint. I am trying to have the drivetrain and frame and my axles all put together and painted before the national ATHS show in late May. Or if that part takes as much work the first time as the axle conversion did, it may be late next May...... but I'll try

Hey Grigg, what is that steering gearbox and pitman arm from? Are you worried about the leaf springs bottoming out on the steering rod?
It looks great with the original column and all. Thanx, bowties

Steering box is from a 78 IHC Scout II
Pitman arm from a mid 80's Chevy Astro van.
Axle from a 94 Chevy 3500HD
It all works, nothing binds or bumps during the entire suspension travel.
Grigg

Do you guys think that option #3 would work for a 58 Chevy NAPCO 4x4? I wish they had pictures of the steering column. How does that hook up? Can you use the original column?

Grigg,
Are you looking for an apprentice? I feel down right lame after looking at that amazing conversion! It goes to show that ANYTHING can be done.

This month's Custom Classic Truck magazine has an article on rack and pinion in a straight axle. It looks like a great way to accomplish better steering and keep most of original pieces.

Looks like there are some great ideas here. Wanted to share my 2 cents, and if you look at my rig, that about what it is worth.

I ave a 49 chevy and wanted to keep the straight axle but update the steering and joints. I opted for a 5 link suspension on the straight axle and a rack and pinion behind the axle mounted to the frame. I am not sure how anyone could mount it to the axle since the axle moves. I wrote an article about it with a couple of pics but I am happy to send more to anyone interested.

Its a relatively easy fabrication once you see how it was done. Only problem is I am not sure if it works yet. But maybe it will help someone out with ideas.

Pics of steering upgrade

go to www.classictrucks.com tech articles, page #5 article name "steered straight". gives info, picctures, suppliers. hope this helps.

Grigg

Hats off to you for your project. How did you jig up the front axle to keep it straight for welding. Is the power steering pump from the scout also. You're a man after my on heart with the machine tools.