73-87chevytrucks.com
73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Brakes, Frame, Steering & Suspension => Topic started by: gim_bob on November 24, 2009, 11:27:29 am
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Ok, I'm fixing to buy a 74 step side, and it doesn't have power steering yet. It is 2wd, with a 350. On a scale of 1-10, how difficult is it to add power steering and how much money am I looking at.
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i took a '70 firebird with manual steering and put in a 400 sbc, 4spd muncie, and, a power steering unit donated from a '76 trans am. If I remember correctly for that, I simply had the pump/brackets/hoses and the steering unit and simply bolted them in place. It was quite easy. The steering column linkage was a simple bolt up to the hydraulic unit.
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Super easy, I would say
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CAKE AND PIE!!!
see if you can find a steering box from an 82 - up camaro/firebird - it's a direct replacement but the ratio is quicker...what I did anyway
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Box, pump, hoses and fluid
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Thank you gentlemen, i appreciate it.
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Make sure the crank pulley has the extra grooves for the power steering set up.
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CAKE AND PIE!!!
see if you can find a steering box from an 82 - up camaro/firebird - it's a direct replacement but the ratio is quicker...what I did anyway
Now there is an interesting idea!
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The F-Body boxes don't mount like a truck box.
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Any more ideas on this topic? What other boxes would fit our trucks?
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From all my research for the past 30 years there is no box that will fit other than the one that is on it.
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Is it specific to which year the truck is, as in not 73-87
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2wd and 4wd is different along with changes over the years. The steering shaft couplers were different as were the steering columns at the base.
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There are hose differences made as well, the newer models used o-rings. Best to use as close to your year as possible. I still like armstrong steering myself. No power steering boxes that leak, or belts that squeal.
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hoses are split 73-80 and 81-87(91) The 80's are hit miss of if they are o-ring or not.
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Chris - you are perfectly accurate on correcting me...
I was restoring 2 vehicles at the same time ( Dad's old 71 Monte and Red truck) The camaro box went in the Monte and old red's got new gears and a shaft) ( Red head gears in Washington State)
I got confused - and stand corrected -
The camaro box is inside the frame rail and the Monte's is also - whereas 73-87's are OUTSIDE -
I promise I am not a total idiot - just a crowded memory and severe ADD at times...
okay - I am actually fairly intelligent - just don't ask my wife!...
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There are hose differences made as well, the newer models used o-rings. Best to use as close to your year as possible. I still like armstrong steering myself. No power steering boxes that leak, or belts that squeal.
Manual steering boxes leak too. Belts usually squeal from not being properly tensioned or spilling coolant on them. I have a 3 on the tree manual steering manual box 80 in my shop now. I'd rather drive a shopping cart.