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1950 Chevy - I installed a 1979 F**d front axle to supply the 4-wheel drive. This dictated the "lift" of the truck - about 8"! More than I wanted, but it is what it is.

That said, I have a set of 315 tires (about 34" tall) that look proportionate under the cab and fenders.

My question is, will the stock steering column/box turn these big tires or will I end up with arms like Popeye?

I'm not afraid of mounting a new steering box with power steering pump on the engine, just wondering if anyone has done this kind of thing and what they did? If I need to install the power steering, it's not the end of the world - it would give me a chance to install a tilt-wheel column too.

Thanks!

CK

What you've done with the steering to get the front drive axle in there will in part dictate whether you will need power. Unless you were able to get the cross shaft close to level I see bumpsteer in your future. In any case, the stock steering is not bad if you are moving and running skinny bias tires. It gets worse once you go to radials. Putting a wide radial on makes it worse, regardless of height. Is the stock 18-20" steering wheel still in place? I wouldn't even consider it with less leverage.

Devin

I have the stock steering column and steering gear in my shop, and I'm sure I could make them work with the new axle. But I am running radials and they are wide tires. The cross shaft is attached to the hubs and runs paralell to the axle. If I understand right, the link from the pitman arm to the hub needs to be as long as possible to avoid the bumpsteer, right?

I would like to get away from the huge steering wheel if I can - I guess that means power steering. Maybe I'll hit a junkyard today and see if I can find any 292 engines with power steering brackets etc. I'll try to get the steering gear as well.

Thanks for the reply!

Craig

If I remember correct, most of the Fomoco 4X4 axles around that year (maybe not all) had the tie rod in front of the axle and the steer box ahead of the axle with the drag link connecting the pitman to the tie rod instead of a sreering arm like a GM 4X4 axle or the stock '50 has. Might be a little tricky to use the stock steering box if that's the case. Are you going to be able to use a Fomoco T-case? The Fomoco axle has the diff offset to the left where GM axles and T-cases are offset to the right.

I'm using a 1991 GMC transfer case - It has a driver side front drive shaft output for the IFS system on those trucks. Actually that's the reason I got the FoMoCO front axle in the first place. A classic "cart before the horse" example!

I went to the junk yard and found a power steering setup off of an eighties Chevy and I'm going to mock it up soon. You're right though, - I'll have to mount it quite far forward and then run a link to the steering mounted to the axle. If I remember my steering set-up correctly, the pitman needs to pivot about the same place as the spring perch to avoid bump steer.

When I get this truck done, maybe I'll do a write-up and submit it with some pictures.

Thanks for the reply!

Craig