The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop Power steering ?? CPP GM 800 series

Does anyone know if this is a bolt on replacment for my manual steering box? If so, it must be new because I searched for a while and only came up with the hard way of putting PS in a TF truck with a Saginaw mounted on the outside frame rail.

This would be great if it's a bolt on replacement/upgrade . . .

Here's the link to CPP's GM 800 series box

HC

It appears to be a standard Saginaw box that was used for many years in GM vehicles. The car box mounted inside the frame and the truck box mounted outside the frame on stock applications. They more than likely assigned their own number to it as they are probably new castings. The installation procedure you are refering to has been around for a long time and would likely use this box.
I'm partial to the Toyota box, it's compact and has the steering sector positioned similar to the stock box. It still requires some work, expense, and modification or replacement of the column. It's as close to a "bolt on" as you are going to find.
Fred

Thanks Fred,
I'll call them later this afternoon to get the skinny on it.
I'm really hopeing this is a direct fit (obviously I'll update to a newer column and related linkage, tie rod ends, etc. when I do it).

I personally didn't want to go the way of the 1993 instructions with mounting the Siginaw box in the wheel well

Just got off the phone with CPP - It's a dirrect fit to the original location of the manual steering box

I'm going this route . . .

How did this work out? Seems like an easy update.

I wanted to go this route but it seemed like their box was being delayed, delayed and delayed again. My second choice was to use the Toyota box. I did this 6 months ago and the results are great. I kept my original colume and used a GM pump with pulleys from Buffalo Enterprises for a 235.

Was it lots of fabrication Bob? I just got a 58 Panel and it has very stiff steering. One problem was a badly bent steering damper but even after removing it it is a bear to steer! I just don't remember my 59 being as hard to steer even though it was 28 years ago! I may have to do something.

Ted, I caused my own hard steering by having owersize rims and tires. I'm told that stock trucks should have easy steering. Using the Toyota box is quite simple. It mounts in the same location just a mounting bracket under it. I think there's a problem if you have the shift linkage on the column. I converted to a T-5 that has a floor shift.

I installed my Toyota box and retained the 3 speed column shift.
Fred

that is what I would do Fred. I will check for other problems first - I do have stock size tires.

To be exact, they introduced a new kit CPP5559PSK-OC. This is for inside the frame on original mounting holes. Called the 400 series for trucks and 500 series for cars.......and the price is...."inquire"? It's a Toyota box they are using. No pump in the kit. I see the kit priced at an other vendor for $580. Maybe cheaper at CCP. Says you need aftermarket column but there is a way to use the stock column by cutting it off. The kit is an easy install!! I will try this kit on the next truck I do.

Bob, I wonder if radial tires also make a difference. Although bias plies (original equipment I think) had "all over the road handling" they appear to have a smaller surface area touching the road. I am definitely not suggesting switching, but I wonder if they were easier to steer?

Actually I drove it again today and it was better than I remembered from a few months ago.

Tires make a big diff, air pressure =big diff, greased chassis =big diff, warm weather =big difference, usage loosens steering/suspension up, steering box adjustment and grease change =big diff. Your arms get used to it after awhile, smaller diameter than stock steering wheel =harder to steer. Power steering is really nice, I admit. But... These trucks were designed to be steered by average people. The large diameter steering wheel (long lever arm) and the gear box ratio and general geometry worked just fine. No one noticed any problems with steering back then.