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| | | | Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 5,206 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 5,206 | I ran across this in the 41-47 shop manual, it may help someone working on there steering box. It also will help if mixing parts around to make one good one like I did. Joe
" NOTE—Due to a design change after the beginning of 1942 production, the early 1942 trucks, conventional and Cab-Over-Engine, contained the same design steering gear as used throughout the 1941 production year on all trucks. The 1941. 66 (1/4") ball type, steering gear in a 1942 truck may be identified as follows:
ON CONVENTIONAL MODEL TRUCKS-by the size of the bolts used to attach the side cover to the housing —5/16" diameter. The 1942, 60 (9/32") ball type, truck steering gear has 3/8" bolts at this point. ON CAB-OVER-ENGINE MODEL TRUCKS-by the casting number cast in the housing on the pitman arm side—No. 266856. The number cast in the housing at this same place on 1942, 106 (9/32") ball type, truck steering gears is No. 267135.
Complete steering gear assemblies are interchangeable between respective model 1941 and 1942 trucks. All overhaul and adjustment instructions in the 1941 Shop Manual covering the 1941 66 (1/4") ball type truck steering gear apply to this first or early design 1942 truck "
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 39 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 39 | So, does this mean that 1941 was the first year for the recirculating ball steering, but the balls were bigger starting in 1942? I wonder if bigger balls gives lighter steering (insert joke here)? I'm still looking for a true recirculating ball steering box and column for mine and I'm not sure what year to look for. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 5,206 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 5,206 | I believe '40 was the first year, and sometime in '42 they switched to the 9/32" ball over the 1/4". The ratio is the same for each box, about 20 to 1. The 3/4 and 1 ton use the same box only the shaft is longer, so a little cut and weld and they will fit.
I just finished up fitting a '46 to my '37. I had a extra '37 shaft I cut off and welded to the '46 shaft. I now have a stock '37 column with a '46 box.
Joe
Last edited by cletis; 01/20/2009 5:46 PM. Reason: deleted ebay link
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,820 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,820 | Good for you, Joe. You will like that set up. Joe 
"Truckin' Around .......... Since 1937!" My name is Joe and I am addicted to Classic Country Music. I just can't hep myself.Operators are standing by to take your calls! Now cruising in the Passing Lane | | | | | Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 1,377 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 1,377 | I also put one in my 37 and noticed a big improvement,I am using the 41-6 steering wheel and horn button since I dont trust my welding on important parts. Jeff | | |
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