The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Power steering in a 58 Viking 60?

Hi new here

Company has a 58 Viking 60 wrecker and we're looking to add power steering. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks

[img]https://res.cloudinary.com/brocksupply/image/upload/BrockSupply/truck/truck05.jpg[/img]

Welcome to the Stovebolt

That's a very nice 1958/59 with a Holmes 525 Twin Boom!

As for steering, the original power steering had a power assist cylinder controlled via the control valve that is an integral part of the drag link and it got it's power from a generator mounted pump. That setup will be next to impossible to find.

I'm not aware of any bolt on power steering kits for our big TF trucks, so you'll have to find something modern and make it work.

Mike B

Thanks Mike

I've seen that there is a setup for the half-ton but that won't cut it. It was worth asking.

The wrecker is a beauty and it is a favorite at car shows. The original truck Had a 515 but we couldn't find one during the restoration.

https://www.brocksupply.com/truck

What kind of 515 was in it?

If the manual box is inside the frame, reaches through the frame with the pitman arm outside the frame, drag link heading forward to a ‘J’ shaped steer arm on the left side with the tie rod crossing behind the axle to the right side steer arm.

I made that work system by getting a modern Saginaw outside the frame box with fore and aft pitman arm, turned the drag link around going forward to the new pitman arm location.


Ed

Don't know if it would be heavy enough but the C3 Corvette used that type of power steering other than the generator mounted pump. All of the parts are available new.

Ed, 515 is a Holmes wrecker model number.

Chris, neat story! I have a few questions. The old pictures on your linked page are dated '62, '63 & '64. The '62 and '63 show a Platform Service Body and the '64 shows a Panel Service Body, did Jerry change the body on the original truck or is that a second truck? I also noticed the beacon moved from the Mast, to not having one and then to the roof.

Also all of the trucks are wearing '59 emblems (new and old pictures), is calling it a '58 a mistake or were they all 1958's with '59 emblems?

Have you looked into electric power steering? I don't know if they have used them on trucks or not...just a thought.

Here's my 1956 8400 Wrecker...

Mike B

The truck version is way bigger than the car version, but the technology is the same.

Mike B

Sorry it's been a while but we wound up going with an off the shelf kit from Summit and with some modifications the ole wrecker has power steering. It may not be perfect but it sure beats trying to muscle a turn in a crowded spot.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/CLP-CPP5559PSKOC

As for the badging Mike B that's what I've found too but I'm told it's a 58 so it's a 58. There may have been a 2nd truck because the original that was found in 2010 has the platform body like the 62/63 pictures.

Chris,. The kit you bought is designed for a 1/2 ton. I'd be concerned about it failing if you hit a pot hole or curb, the extra leverage of your big tires may rip the guts right out of the box.

Maybe I'm worried about nothing...

Mike B

Thanks Mike. That's my concern too but the shop we use, who did a lot of the fabrication work and maintains the truck for us, also builds rock crawlers so they are used to working with beasts. Luckily we don't have many potholes out here either but I will take it easy

The ram type p/s was also used in many construction and farm equipment applications. Our 20,000# fork lift has a 10,000# counter weight right on the steering (rear) wheels and it steers with a spinner knob.

I realize that it is too late for this particular truck, but I will ask for the benefit of those who read this post at some point who may be considering doing the same thing ... So please indulge me ... (yes, one of my hot button topics ...

Why was it felt necessary to add power steering?

On both of the 2-tons I have owned (one a low-mileage original firetruck and the other a ground up/frame off resto I did), neither had power steering. What they did have were properly adjust front ends, good ball joints on the tie rods, unworn/new king pins, rebuilt or properly adjust steering boxes. Both of them steered easily with one finger (while moving ... ... and when stationary, you shouldn't be grinding the tires anyway) -- *very* close to what power steering would do.

Some people have very legitimate reasons for wanting to add power steering. But I think a lot of people may just jump to that decision without ever having driven one of these trucks with a properly maintained and adjusted front end. My '65 GMC fire truck was incredibly easy to steer, even when at max gross weight -- Why? With only 8,000 miles on it, it had a like new front end. No wear to the ball joints, king pins or steering box. Tires were properly inflated and the front end was still aligned to where the factory had set it. As proved by my '49, no reason any of these old trucks can't steer just as well if the front end is restored to factory specs.

You want the front end back in spec anyway, right? And doing so will put you easily within 90 percent of what power steering (subjective estimate ) will do for you at *zero* percent of the cost and effort of adding power steering. So if you are going to do that *anyway*, why not at least pause there to see if it gets you where you want to be before going to a lot of possibly needless expense and effort?

Again, the OP could have very good reasons for wanting P/S. I just raise the question to help those who may *not*.

Carry on.

John raises some good points.

I added power steering to my 1 ton then moved that (custom) setup to the 2 ton, and while it was nice in both trucks it wasn't all that necessary.
Next for my GMC 1 ton I'm rebuilding a front axle and will go through the steering box and stick with the original setup. Much simpler (the main attraction) and less expense, and I don't expect to desire power steering very often if at all with that all done correctly.

Also to the earlier point about using undersized components on a big truck; I am also concerned about that. I find it hard to think of an excuse to justify cutting corners on steering or braking systems, which we can all agree are critically important. Saying it might be OK because you don't have potholes or some may say I only drive it a few times a year is kind of missing the point about building and maintaining a safe vehicle not only for your own benefit but for benefit of others around you. Also think to the future (that you can't actually predict) and how might someone unaware of the now built in limitations use and drive the truck, they may see and use it for the truck it was/should be.

Grigg

For some steering boost without a lot of butchery, how about adding an electric power unit between the dash and the firewall? That will require modifying the worm gear shaft and the mast jacket, but it won't need anything other than replacing the steering gear to go back to original if you don't like the results.
Jerry

I've got lots of upper body strength so I don't need power steering. But my daughters.. don't. I'd like them to be able to drive my bus, and power steering would go a long way towards that goal.

Mine has the steering gear outside the frame with the Pitman arm vertical, moving fore and aft. It's a 1965 C60.

The Cadillac V8 under its hood has a great power steering pump mount, so that's three bolts and done. Would I be able to find a Saginaw gear from a later truck that has the P/S built in, and bolt that on? Would I have to install an extra plate into the frame to stiffen it? And if I got an '80s one that said 'Metric' on it, what would be the practical difference? Would the Pitman shaft splines/diameter be different or just the fasteners?

I just got back from a camping trip, pulling my 35' trailer with my 58 2-ton, I can palm the wheel backing it into a camping spot, no need for power steering, an if I can palm the wheel with one hand, my wife or daughter could easily turn it. Now, parallel parking it and trying to turn the wheels while not rolling at all, may be a different story.

Someone is making a box that fits in the original location, just outside the frame, uses original 3 mounting bolts. Perhaps it is CPP. Need to make sure it is up to C60 weight. Search on EBay.

ED