The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Power Steering

Hi all,

I am thinking about how I would go about putting power steering on my big bolt. Do any of you have suggestions or maybe you have done it before and it wasn't worth it or was worth it?
as always any and all advice would be great.
Thanks.

hi 38 tow..stock engine? and am I to assume a 38 model? That will help everyone with answers.

I'm not the most comfortable with this question, but I'm wondering about belting/pulley adaptations, and added power draw from the engine on an all stock vehicle of this era??

Tom coe,

Thanks for your response. yes, stock 38 sorry. and stock 216.
but I also have a 1972 International 2 ton dump truck and i am thinking for both trucks not just the tow truck.
I thought about the added power draw on the 216 (not really a rocket launching machine in the first place) but the international this won't be a problem.
as far as a pully i must have an after market crank pully cause I have a two vee belt pully.
Is that uncommon?
thanks again.

For the international, no problem, as a matter of fact, I bet there is stock PS stuff for it as an option...If not fabrication should be easy on that one.

On the 38, if you have a two-V pulley set-up, that is one step closer as I see it. I don't know if it is uncommon or not, but my concern was finding the right pulley width and depth to be compatible with the 38...maybe that isn't an issue sounds like. I think everything should be fine... again...using fabrication.

You will have to find a suitable box, maybe full size chevy PU and make a nice pad on the frame to mount it...and of course, modify a pitman arm to work with it. Ideally if you could mount the new PS box in the same location as the old one you could then use the 38 pitman arm and weld in (with lots of caution and caution!) the modern pitman arm base, or PS side. So you would have a combo pitman, welded securely together. If not, you can make one out of 1" or so solid tube or something simular

You will also have to disconnect the steering shaft from the old steering box, and fabricate the use of a lower bearing on it. Then weld a spline to the end of your steering column to accept a shaft to the PS box.

Sounds like a lot of work, but if you have the ability to make solid welds, it should be pretty fun and easy...just a little time consuming. Whoever welds it should know this, but you should make 45 degree cuts where the ends meet on anything you weld togehter with regard to steering so you get complete penetration.

Lastly, you would have to mount a pump. Once everything else is done, this step should be a piece of cake...just make a bracket or two.

I will be doing the same thing to a 41 COE before long. COE steering shafts are very vertical, so I picked up an ISUZU NPR box as the steering shaft angle is correct for my application. I haven't done any of the work yet, but have most of the thought process out of the way. Let me know what you think/how it goes.

Tom(COE)

along these same lines....................has anyone put power steering on a 2 ton task force truck?

harrydale

Hi Harrydale,

Not I, but along the sames lines as above. What motor do you have? If it is V8 then even easier on the engine. I don't know if those have an 'inclosed' steering shaft/box, but i'd think the job is a little easier on your truck overall...As a matter of fact, if some trucks from the 60's use the same power plant, then you can probably use factory brackets and even pump possibly from a later model. PS box will have to be made to fit..same basic idea as above.

The only concern I have for taskforce (that differs from the 38) is the size of the truck. I would bet your truck is a little heavier, SO....that means I'd consider using a PS box out of a larger truck as a doner. That is what my gut tells me, I could be wrong about the weight difference.

Tom

Tom,

Just a thought before you go to a lot of trouble... on my '49 Big Bolt, after I rebuilt the steering box and axle (new king pins, wheel bearings, rebuilt drag link, new balls on the tie rod ends -- basically everything related to the front wheels and steering -- I found the steering to be vastly improved and nearly like power steering. I mean vastly improved, as in breathtaking. Before the restoration, this truck defined "Armstrong Steering" and turning the steering wheel at slow speeds required herculean effort. Now it steers easily with only a couple of fingers on the wheel. I might have to pull a little hard when stopped, but still -- not too bad.

My fire truck is a '65 with only 10k miles on it, but it has the heavy V-6 AND a giant chunk of cast iron hanging off the front in the form of an engine-driven 500 GPM pump. That truck (with it's relatively unworn stock/manual steering) steers very easily, as well.

Just my opinion, but I wonder if a lot of guys try driving one of these tired, beatup old relics who's worn out steering boxes, egg-shaped tie-rod ends, fossilized bias ply tires and hardened grease and road gook all contribute to horribly hard steering and immediately jump to the conclusion that a power steering upgrade is the only answer. Just a thought but maybe, just possibly, merely returning the steering system to stock specs would most likely provide the desired end state. Even before I restored my truck, I thought it was unlikely that the engineers and buyers of the day would have found steering that hard to be acceptable so I figured I would see *some* improvement after the restoration. I was shocked at the improvement I got. And I'm still running bias plys on that truck. If I put radials on it, I bet I could steer it just by thinking about it

Something to consider before going to the effort and expense of a PS upgrade. If you've not driven one of these old trucks with a completely rebuilt stock steering, you ought to. The difference is purely amazing -- at least it was for me on my truck.

Just another opinion to consider if the power steering thing starts looking like the project from Heck.

Regards,
John

Hi John,

Well put and you are absolutely right for those that were asking about this. My 47 COE is staying stock and it is a breeze to turn.

I don't have it in the gallery, but I own one of the trucks used in the movie Jeepers Creepers like Tim Glace's on this sight (there were three total made for the movie). In the movie it looks very old, but is very fast. That is the target. Sooo for that vehicle, with a 388/auto, upgraded rear end and wheels, I think PS and some form of PB are appropriate.

That is why I'm going down that road. As for the other gentlemen asking about such a modification, you make a very good point. I wouldn't change my stock COE as I'm happy turning the wheel a few more times, and it is easy turning.

Thanks,
Tom(COE)

Tom -- Sorry -- I forgot it was 38Tow I was addressing and not you ...

Regards,
John

Thats a very good point about the steering that I hadn't thought about at all. thanks for bringing it up.

Harrydale

John,

I really appreciate the advice. You very well may be on to something.
Sometimes I put the cart before the horse. I haven't gotten to the steering yet. I just got it running and I have been having a blast driving it around, but the steering might just resolve itself when I do decide to tackle the front end. I will wait for till I do that and then make a decision.
Now if I could only get the international to steer well I would be a happy camper. It drives really well down the road but when you put a load of gravel on it and try backing in slowly into a dump spot it get INCREASINGLY hard to handle. So I still will be trying to tackle that one. anyone know where I can find information about a 1972 International Loadstar 1700?

Thanks again John you may have saved me a ton of money and time.

I'm thinking the Chevy should be okay without the P/S;for the Cornbinder,check the wrecking yards around the area for a similar truck with power steering. Most yard owners will make you a deal for everything related,ie. steering box,pump,brackets,pulleys,belts,hoses,etc. I did that on the '66 2 ton Chevy I did. I called to ask if the guy had a '66 2 ton steering box,he said he did so I drove 50 miles,and found it was a '76 C-60. I told him I wasn't sure it would work and he said I could bring it back if it was a no-go. As it turned out,the newer box bolted up fine but I did have to re-clock the steering arm on it. The truck drove so nice with the newer steering box I didn't even bother installing the P/S. (It would have been easy though-install the pump and belt,connect the hoses,build a bracket on the middle of the axle for the ram to attach to,and install the ram to the tie rod and axle.)I had everything except a pump bracket for the 292 and the axle bracket. On the newer truck,the axle had a boss cast into it right in the center with a hole for the ram to attach to.
Long story a little shorter,if you find something the same make,about the same age with P/S you should be able to use all the parts on your truck.
Speed

38 tow

For info on your Binder check out www.oldihc.org/main/