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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: Jun 2005 Posts: 86 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 86 | At the risk of causing heart problems for lots of our 'bolters, I am doing some long-range thinking about upgrading my 53 half ton pickup to power steering. It is well nigh a chore to negotiate parking spots and the like around here, and my wife would like to drive it a bit easier.
Near as I can tell, the best thing to do would be to get a rack and pinion kit and just go ahead and use that with the PS unit. Can anyone give me their thoughts? | | | | | Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 213 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 213 | I believe they make a conversion kit. I saw one on Classic Performance Products for around $699 for a 47-54. I'm sure other vendors sell them too. I'm converting my 60 to power steering too.
Joe
54 Triumph TR2(rhd)needs total resto.
60 Apache 10 stepside shortbed
99 Excelsior Henderson
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 1,554 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 1,554 | I went the IFS route with R&P power steering.I know many others here will disagree with me,but adding power steering is one of the best upgrades you can make to one of these old trucks.It will make your truck a real pleasure to drive. | | | | | Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 610 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 610 | can power steering be done on a truck with a 216 or 235 inline 6. Ive been wondering about this as well and heard that a power steering gear box from a mid 80's or so toyota would mount perfectly on the frame and hook up to the stock linkage, unless i read wrong. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 435 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 435 | Power steering is great, but by far the best upgrade you can do to these old trucks if you're going to be doing some serious truckin' is to go with disc brakes. Just my .02. | | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,097 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,097 | The 84-87 Toyota 4X4 is an excellent conversion. I have done them on 2 TF trucks and a 56 Ford F100. I don't know what the issues would be on a AD truck. Nothing is a direct bolt in! You will need to fabricate the mounting brackets (or buy the kit), modify or replace the column and the shifter assy. The pulleys for 6 cyl engines are hard to find and expensive & PS pump brackets would have to be fabricated.
Fred
Last edited by rfs56trk; 03/15/2008 5:04 AM.
1956 3100 Pickup/Red/350/3sp OD/PS/Disc Brakes
1957 Bel Air Sport Coupe/Red/355/TH350/PS/Disc Brakes
2017 Silverado LT Single Cab SB/Black/5.3/6 Speed Trans
1947 Willys CJ2A w/F-Head engine
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 213 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 213 | That's good to hear Dale, I can't wait for warmer weather so I can work on my power steering conversion. I have just about all the parts I need, I hope. I really like driving my truck but I think with power steering it will be more enjoyable. Very nice trucks you have there.
Joe
54 Triumph TR2(rhd)needs total resto.
60 Apache 10 stepside shortbed
99 Excelsior Henderson
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 595 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 595 | the toyota box you want is from a 4x4 that has a front differential not independent 80'-85' and some 86's. rft56trk do you have pic's of your conversion? | | | | | Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 434 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 434 | Shmoo, Have you seen the powered rack and pinion for straight axles? See this link: http://www.nolimit.net/prodinfo.asp?number=PS-SA-For me, I think I am going to bite the bullet and go IFS and get the disc brakes, power steering, rack and pinion, and smoother ride all-in-one... Time to roll out the welder...
R-Bo
1959 Apache 1/2 ton Big Window, Short bed Fleetside (under reconstruction)
1966 GMC 305V6 in the family
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,097 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,097 | 10 micron,
I have not figured out how to post pictures but if you send me an email direct I can send you some pictures & info.
Fred
1956 3100 Pickup/Red/350/3sp OD/PS/Disc Brakes
1957 Bel Air Sport Coupe/Red/355/TH350/PS/Disc Brakes
2017 Silverado LT Single Cab SB/Black/5.3/6 Speed Trans
1947 Willys CJ2A w/F-Head engine
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 58 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 58 | I believe that Flaming River might have a P/S kit for the gearbox. I have R&P on mine w/power for a MII IFS. It was equipped w/ manual I had to upgrade that. Parking a truck that's 18 feet long w/o power is a chore, power is the only way to go.
Dave
1954 custom 1-ton (1 of a kind)
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