The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop manual steering box

Im going to be installing a tilt column in my 52 in the coming weeks and was thinking, instead of cutting up the stock column and steering box to connect the new column to the box with a shaft and joint, it might be better and easier to change out the stock manual box for one out of a late model truck (either gm or toyota box, etc). This way Id also be able make a bit of money back and help someone out by selling the box/column to someone thats in need of a good unit (was recently rebuilt).

So my question is, what box would be the best to use. Im looking for a manual box for now as my truck will continue to have manual steering until I find a way to mount a power steering pump to drive off of the belt on my 235 inline 6. Then at that point I will switch out the box for power. Hopefully the power and manual boxes will mount up the same.

Chris,


I think you would have to be very lucky to find a power steering box that mounted close enough to the stock box position to be able to do a unbolt-bolt swap.

I would be concerned that a modern column, especially a tilt setup, would have the durability to turn a manual box and survive for very long. Because they twist a powered box, they are usually pretty skimpy on 'heft' if you get my meaning.

I could be wrong about this though, it's happened before.

Stuart

thanks for your concerns Stuart

The column Im planning on using looks more than up to the task of turning a manual power steering box.

Isn't there a box (power steering and/or manual) that bolts in the same location as the stock box? Toyota?

Chris, if you try a search, or maybe check out the tech tips I think you will find the thread on the toyota box. I think I have it printed out and in my panel notebook. The toyota power steering mounts closer to the front of the chassia dn bolts to the outside of the chassis if I remember correctly but then I'm not sure what steering column was used. Hope you can find the article or someone chimes in here. If not maybe when I printed the article out it still has the date and by whom.

I'm interested as well. Right now my plan is to move the original box over 1 1/2" to accomodate my V* and use a 68 steering column since its sleek and has turn signals. Lets see what the tribal elders recomend

I have installed several Toyota PS boxes on TF trucks and one 56 Ford F100. On both they mount inside the frame in the same location as the stock box. I think the frame is different on an AD truck so you may have a clearance problem with a V-8 application. The PS version came from an 84-87 4X4. It's possible that the non PS box for this era truck may be used if it was offered.
Fred

Definitely a clearance problem on the AD with V8's!

The mid-80's Toyota 4wd box mounts in the same location as the stock AD box. There are a couple pictures of the mount bracket in one of my truck albums. I've used the Toyo box in a number of conversions and prefer that mount position over mounting the box outboard above the front spring hanger.

The AD steering column could be retained by simply cutting off the stock box and welding on a rag or borgeson joint. I've also used the Saginaw pump with the Toyo setup with no problems.

Dave

http://www.brotherstrucks.com/products.asp?dept=692 click here

Is there a manual version of the Toyota box?

regards,
Leon

I was looking through the local yard and was working on removing a manual box out of a Toyota. The motor was gone but I didn't see any lines going to the box or any holes or plugs where lines would go. The wheel turned like a manual. I ended up not getting it though as I decided against it.


Anyway, Ive decided to put power steering on my truck. A few modifications to do it though. 1, my truck has an alternator, which once I finish designing and cutting/welding the bracket together, the alt will be mounted on the passenger side of the block, to the side of the head and water pump. This weekend Im going to the yard again to look for a good GM saginaw "canned ham" power steering pump with a single groove pulley, and then I will begin designing and cutting/welding the bracket to mount the pump where the alternator/generator originally was. Once I verify this setup works I will make a few more brackets to sell or make the plans available to those who can cut/weld the pieces together themselves.

Then the next step is to come up with brackets that will keep the alt/gen and p/s pump on the drivers side of the block.

I have a clifford 4bbl intake/carb and tube headers on my 235 so space was tight on the driver side of the engine, thats why the alternator is being moved to the passenger side.