The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Power steering conversions

I found out today that I have arthritis in my back. Driving a manual steering truck seems to be one of the agravating issues, so I'm thinking about power steering today.

The truck I want to convert is my '55 1st GMC Suburban. It has a straight axle front with the GMC sway bar and a GMC 270.

I'd like to hear two things. First, what power steering conversion are you using on your straight axle truck, and do you like it? Second, what power steering pump and brackets did you use to mount a power steering pump on a GMC motor like my 270.

My long term plan is IFS and a V-8 for this truck, but I wanted to drive it as a stocker for at least five more years first. If I can't come up with a good power steering option that works with the current suspension and motor I may have to move up the modifications a bit...

I don't have any ideas on the steering end, but a while back, someone here had a picture of a factory '55-??? pump that was part of the generator. When I saw it, kind of wished I'd gone the power steering route.

I put the P/S set up on my '48 but I'm running a V-8. You'll have to fab a pump bracket to fit the inline yourself. That shouldn't be too difficult. I would remove the front clip and upgrade your truck that way. Measure twice, after you've already measured twice, mock-up, test and remock-up. Good luck, it's a good upgrade to do,
Scott

Scott what set up did you use? I seem to remember you saying something about a power steering conversion on one of your big trucks, have you done your 1/2-ton too?

I know there's been lot's of talk about converting to power steering in the forum... but I'm getting like Steve, my bum shoulder is not feeling too happy with the manual steering.

Anyone out there with a 56 Stepside that's installed a bolt-on power kit? Is power rack & pinion doable??

Thanks!

Larry power rack & pinion is NOT doable on a straight axle, or at the very least its very complicated to make work rith.

I put a mid-70's truck box forward of the axle, made my own bracketry to mount to the frame. I used a tilt column from a mid-70's Monte but you can modify the original column to work (I think). I made a steering column shaft from all of the pieces from the donors and made a pitman arm to connect to the original steering linkage. Later I found that a mid-70's 4WD steering box works the best, it already has the proper pitman arm. I may still have some pictures (as crude as they may be) on my computer somewhere if you need a reference to look at.

I've never done a 1/2 ton but it shouldn't be that much different, just a few inches here, and a few inches there,etc.
Scott

P.S. Everything I did was home made so it didn't cost me a dime. Even the P/S hoses got modified no problem.

A while back a customer had me install a P/S on his 57 Cameo. The kits are offered by several suppliers and use the 605 Saginaw box. The left shock mount is moved back so the shock fits on the backside of the axle(lower mount on U-bolt also moved to back), and a chevelle steering arm is used on the spindle. There is one existing hole in the frame used to hold the box in place while you drill the others. The fourth hole if used requires a small triange welded to the top of frame. You have to trim the inner fender for the intermediate shaft to fit from the steering column to the box. We cut the stock mast jacket(steering column tube) just below the shifter and fit an oilite bushing at the bottom. He wanted to retain the stock column and wheel. The front end had all been rebuilt so after we installed four degree caster shims to tip the king pins back it tracks perfectly straight down the road. 300 mph dragsters use straight axles so they can be made to run straight, it's just that a lot of caster makes steering too hard without the power assist. My prefferance is still the IFS because of the ride and stability. The above sounds involved but with the kit and the template supplied it's a one day job.

Ok, just some random thoughts on this. CPP makes a kit for F100's ( sorry for the profanity !!) that uses a Toyota 4x4 p/s box that mounts forward of the axle on the outside of the frame. The pitman arm swings paralell just like stock. Alan Grove makes lots of different brackets - maybe one could mount the p/s pump or make your own. Then use a tilt column from an early '80's Jeep Cherokee ( it's G.M ) with a Borgsen shaft to connect it all together. I haven't researched it all yet but it just might work well and start a new trend. FYI, I think the G.M. p/s box is just too big and bulky looking.

A power steering conversion kit is availiable from Brothers. Check out their tech section on their website, it addresses this topic. (Both in text and pictures)

A power steering conversion kit is availiable from Brothers. Check out their tech section on their website, it addresses this topic. (Both in text and pictures)

www.classicperform.com offers two different units.