Click on image for the lowdown. 
====
| | | Forums66 Topics128,115 Posts1,056,626 Members48,450 | | Most Online14,466
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!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
| | THANKS!
For helping keep this great
old truck web site
on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down
with Ads!  Again, thanks!
| | | | Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 81 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 81 | I recently had an LS swap done on my 52 Chevy 3100. While the shop had it I had them upgrade the steering to power steering with the newer outside the frame steering box. I have also installed new tie rod ends, new tie rod and installed new king pins and bushings. So all of the steering is brand new. When I drive and make a right turn or the wheel hits a dip just right it feels like the wheel is going to fold under the truck. Also, while driving on a winding country road it takes a lot of steering to get around the curve. I have yet to have the front end aligned as much as can be done with the straight axle but thought I would get some thoughts from here. I thought the steering would be nice and tight but it feels loose.
Thanks in advance.
Rcimp
52 Chevy 3100 5 Window, LS Swap, 4spd Auto, Vintage Air AC / Heat, CPP Power Front Disc Brake Conversion with bearing upgrade, Power Steering Conversion, LED Tail Lights
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 Crusing in the Passing Lane | | Crusing in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 | What is the ‘newer outside the frame steering box?’ Have someone sit in the seat with the engine off and cycle the steering wheel while looking at each joint in the steering and axle attach point, remember when under the vehicle- always have the in your pocket.That would be a place to start.
Ed
'37 GMC T-18 w/ DD 4-53T, RTO-610, 6231 aux., '95 GMC running gear, full disc brakes, power steering, 22.5 wheels and tires.
'47 GMC 1 ton w/ 302, NP-540, 4wd, full width Blazer front axle.
'54 GMC 630 w/ 503 gasser, 5 speed, ex fire truck, shortened WB 4', install 8' bed.
'55 GMC 370 w/270, 420 4 speed, grain, dump bed truck from ND. Works OK.
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 5,228 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 5,228 | You sure it's not over powered? Meaning to much pressure from the pump for steering box. What is the steering box gear ratio? | | | | | Joined: Feb 2019 Posts: 4,494 AD Addict & Tinkerer | | AD Addict & Tinkerer Joined: Feb 2019 Posts: 4,494 | You may consider bringing the truck back to the shop that installed the steering upgrade and get them to fix the issue they created. 
Last edited by Phak1; 09/28/2021 3:05 PM.
Phil Moderator, The Engine Shop, Interiors and Project Journals1952 Chevrolet 3100, Three on the Tree, 4:11 torque tube Updated to: ‘59 235 w/hydraulic lifters, 12v w/alternator, HEI, PCV and Power front Disc BrakesProject JournalsStovebolt Gallery Forum | | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,294 Renaissance Man | | Renaissance Man Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,294 | I reread you post about new kingpins so I edited my "check your kingpins" (Duh?!  ) Are there any caster shims present? I have the same style power steering in my '49 3100 and needed to increase the caster shims to 5 degrees to get the truck to handle properly. When you come out of a turn, it is the caster which brings the wheels back toward straight ahead when you let go of the steering wheel. If yours does not do that, you need more caster. 5-7 degrees is what many end up with to fix this problem. Replacing the heavy inline 6 with a lighter V-8 may well be the cause for the need to increase the caster angle to restore proper handling.
Last edited by 52Carl; 09/30/2021 1:02 AM.
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2014 Posts: 3,690 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2014 Posts: 3,690 | Most folks who have LS swapped a 47-54 truck have also done some sort of IFS thing.
However, there’s a member here who goes by “Barnfind49” who LS’d his truck with a largely stock front end. I think he might have even kept the manual steering and just moved it over.
I can’t find his project thread at the moment. But look him up, he might have some wisdom for you.
1951 3100
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 328 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 328 | Your upgrade to power steering outside the frame and using a later model Saginaw
steering gear should not wander like that UNLESS the shop did not provide the
appropriate amount of caster to the axle. If all the other geometry they did is correct,
then you need a good 5-6 degrees of caster.
Get the caster and toe-in done at a quality alignment shop.
Caster shims are cheap!
I had the same set up in my panel truck with 455 Buick and steered beautifully. | | |
|
|
