The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Tons 'o Fun 59 1-ton Power Steering

As I sit around cooped up waiting for the weather to break, I'll throw out the question on if it's possible to add power steering to a 59 1-ton Chevy? All stock up front with 235 6-cylinder. I'm guessing there really isn't a good way to do this, but thought I'd start the discussion. Thanks!

I believe back in the day, power steering was a option for the bigger trucks, but those systems are rarer than hens teeth.

I'm pretty sure its possible to modify a system to make it work on these trucks.

https://authenticautomotive.net/power-steering-kits/ Scroll down to the truck kits.

Still gotta ask ... What are you trying to gain by doing so?

Most of us who have merely rebuilt and properly adjusted our stock/original front ends (spindles, bearings, tie rod ends, king pins and steering boxes) find that we end up with steering that is pretty close to power assisted with out the expense and effort. My 1-ton goes down the road straight and nice at 65 MPH and steers pretty good at slow speeds, too. I completely redid the front end on a 1.5-ton (4400) and could steer that truck at a low crawl on dirt with one finger.

Just an option to consider as it sounds like you have a pretty original truck. It would be a shame to go to all that trouble just to find out that gains over keeping it original (but rebuilt back to original specs) were marginal (IMHO).

There are a few (very few) reasons to go with power steering -- such as medical condition, etc. But barring any of those... you might try checking out someone's truck who has rebuilt their front end to see what their steering is like before you go to a lot of expense and effort.

Just food for thought ...


John

According to the GM heritage info and the 1957 shop manual, power steering was an option on the bigger trucks, it was not the modern style as we see today. The power assist incorporated a hydraulic cylinder with remote valving, the cylinder connected to the tie rod and a fixed mount at the other end. My 1978 Corvette has the same style. With or without a load on my '57 LCF I have no problem with ease of turning, the design works fine for me.

Thanks guys, for the comments. The truck is stock all around, so I would only add power assist if it could be put on without irreversible modification. The truck steers fine when driving, like the other non-PS vehicles I've driven, but it would be nice to have a little help at slow/no speed turning.

I did find this setup listed on FB Marketplace. It's listed as being from a 59 Chevy truck. It appears to match the parts diagrams that I have, except possibly for cylinder mount by spring. Thoughts?

I realize that it's missing the pump mounted on the generator, but otherwise appears to be the power assist parts.