changing/moving the steering box 1957

[Northern lights]

I need to move the steering box in my 57. I still have the original straight axle and do NOT want power steering but the box has to be moved. I was considering the rack and pinion by unisteer. Does anyone have experience with this setup or perhaps another set up that would move the box but remain manual. Thanks

[paulspickupparts]

At one time someone was making a kit using early 80's Toyata power steering boxes . With that being said Toyota also had a manual steering box from the same years. I believe they were using the 4 x 4 boxes with the forward back pitman arm.

[Northern lights]

The Toyota box conversions I've seen mount the box in the same place as the original. I need to move it for header clearance.

[paulspickupparts]

http://talk.classicparts.com/attachm...1&d=1265855783

I guess it depends on the type of header. Here is a set that cleared the toyota box. These are a center drop which helps.

[paulspickupparts]

Chevy made a manual outside the frame steering box for 73 up trucks if you wanted to do that type of conversion. Using a manual box instead of a power steering box.

[Northern lights]

The picture is REALLY small on my computer so i can't make it out very well, but it does look like it has a small block in it and I'm using a big block.

[paulspickupparts]

Manual box 73 up outside frame.

[Northern lights]

Toyota or Chevy box?

[paulspickupparts]

Chevy , just used the kit you would use for the power box using manual instead .

[Northern lights]

Thanks, I'll look into that.

[OrrieG]

I placed my 74 box outside of the frame in front of the axle per 74 location. The drag link interfers with the tire on extreme right turn. This was before anyone figured out the Toyota box would work. CCP took the toyota concept and adapted it. If I had to do it over (and may if the turn radius gets to be an issue) I would do something like the CCP kit.

[55dude]

go with toyota 4x4 box pre 1985, straight axle setup. a power or manual work great. the 73+ chevy truck box is poor design, tire hits on drivers side total JUNK in my opinion!

[_Ogre]

easy 55dude, we all have our opinions, but to call someone's setup junk is rude
that name is already taken

[OrrieG]

Like I said, in 85 there was no internet and very little aftermarket support. The Toyota had not even been built. I just looked around at what others were doing and this seemed the best, I saw some pretty scary stuff. Jeep (photo attached) made the same box but mounted on the inside of the frame in front of the cross member, but I did not like the long steering set up and would have had to change to cross over steering. Also did not like it hanging down in front waiting to get hung up on a rock or log. One guy used a pinto box with the thick metal braided cable. I ran the stock box with modified drag link until the box failed. I stated the limitation and agreed there are better ways to go now. The box is not junk, GM engineered it for the 3/4 ton truck it came out of. I'd take it over the Chinese stuff being sold any day. They go well into the 200K range in stock trucks without any problems and are easy to find.

[55dude]

helped remove more than a handful of the 73-87 chevrolet truck con versions they are dangerous! I have seen tires that hit the boxes and listed to a story of tire hitting and deflecting the trucks path, put a toyota box on that truck and a drivers door as result of the conversion. I thought they were great years ago and after crawling under lots of trucks and seeing that polished spot on the box and hearing from truck owners the left tire rubbed and made them uncomfortable. every one told me they were recent purchases and were going to be changed. poor engineering! nothing rude about facts!

[octanejunkie]

I have the toyota p/s box in my truck, works pretty well, but the OE steering gear is the mitigating issue: undersized components, lots of flex, 1:1 feedback.

ALong the way I upgraded my tie rod and ends and recently added a steering damper to take up some of the slack/feedback. I'm still trying to find the best alignment specs to fit my tire size on my '59. Right now running with 1/4" toe in, 2° positive caster and stock camber.

I am looking into the No Limit Power Rack kit as an option... thread on that is up.

[OrrieG]

55dude I understand. The 4wd axles have stop that limits spindle turning travel, once I get the tires on that I want I will adjust accordingly. If it becomes a problem in parking lots and off road 3 point turns will change it out.