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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!
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| | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 299 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 299 | I finally moved my steering box. This is what I did.I got a piece of plate 1/8" thick X 3 1/2"X 7". I have it flush with the inside top of the frame and drilled 4 holes. 2 are in line with the present mounting holes in the frame for the box and the other 2 line up with the holes in the steering box 1 3/4" out from the original holes. I now need to make 2 spacers 1 3/4" for the side bolt holes .I need 2 new longer bolts(1 3/4" longer) for these 2 holes as well as the 2 bolts for the top.
Just sharing what ideas I got from you people out there, thanks ,Lothar. | | | | | Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,708 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,708 | Lothar,
Is your "plate" actually only 1/8" thick (10ga). I am trying to visualize your steering box move, but keep seeing a piece of plate AT LEAST 3/16", and preferably 1/4" thick.
Stuart | | | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 299 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 299 | It's probably 3/16", you can't go too thick otherwize it would raise your box too high and the side holes wouldn't line up.Don't forget once the side is bolted,it will stabilize and strengthen the top plate. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 18 Junior Member | | Junior Member Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 18 | I converted my truck to rack and pinion just behind the straight axle. Have not tested it yet, but it seems like a good idea. It resolves the old ball joints and should take all the play out. You should be able to do it even with the leaf springs in place. Of course I don't know what type of truck you have, but it may be the simplest solution. I have some info and pics at: Pics of Steering upgrade Sorry for butting in, but I am just excited to see so many people that like to fix old trucks.
1949 Chevy Pickup, 1929 Model A, 1962 RollsRoyce I like showing off my personal cars. You can see my toys at: buzztrader.com | | | | | Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,708 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,708 | buzztrader, Interesting pictures...  Stuart | | | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 299 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 299 | Looks like a very good idea, let us know how well it works.Also ,do you have any good shots of the way you mounted your engine and tranny? I'd be interested in seeing those as well.Thanks for sharing Buzz!! | | | | | Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 388 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 388 | KillerKnight, when you moved your steering box over, what did that do to the angle of your steering shaft and wheel inside the cab? Just curious about how that ended up or did you use the universal joints? Thanx, bowtie | | | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 299 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 299 | My steering wheel has a slight angle to it,I guess I could move it too. If it seems too uncomfortable to drive that way, I'll widen the hole the column fits thru about an inch and make an offset bracket to move the steering column at the dash. I think I could live with it this way though.
Lothar. | | | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 299 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 299 | I forgot to mention ,I just used the stock column ,no universals. I simply moved the stock steering box over 1 3/4" using the 3/16" plate with 4 holes drilled into it. The pitman arm is also outwards a little but seems to funtion exactly the same.
Lothar | | | | | Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 158 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 158 | Lothar,
Got pics?
I'm torn between moving the box, offsetting the motor, or both...
Cheers,
mark.
'51 KY 3100 | | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 926 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 926 | I'd look into using a '55 265 left side manifold and leave the steering box where it is. This tip was posted a while ago by someone who did it,and he says it works fine,and the manifolds are still reasonable low priced. Personally,I'd change both of 'em,just so they'd match. Remember,running mis-matched exhaust manifolds makes your truck go in circles.
Speed | | | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 299 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 299 | Sorry I've no pix or camera to take em with, The steering seems fine the way I have it now . If I do want to change it later all I have to is remove the adapter I made and just bolt it back where it was, no biggy. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 33 Apprentice | | Apprentice Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 33 | I remember years ago when this article was written as I had just purchased my stock, beat-up, '51 half ton. I eventually went the subframe route, but this is a great article none-the-less. It discusses how Pat Ganahl swapped a V8 into his '49 AD and how he moved the steering box... www.speedprint.com/Deves50/doc/v8stovebolt.pdf
51 1/2 ton-455 rocket!
49 1/2 ton panel-rocket-to-be!
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