K series Suburban PS conversion

[vectorit]

I am collecting parts to eventually convert my manual gear to power, and I always thought that Captain fab made a plate for the box to frame mount. After writing him a message, he responded that he did not have the template for the K series just C series.

So is there another vendor out there making an adapter plate that looks just like Captain Fabs work, since if you were to ask me up until today I would have sworn he made them for the K series.

[Hart_Rod]

Cpp??

[Bigdav160]

I think the box bolts on in the exact same place and bolt spacing as a 2WD

[hatdaddy]

Im Doing my 68 K/10 this weekend!!
Using a 72 2wd blazer steering box and a 72 swb 2wd as a template.
What is this plate you speak of?
WISH ME LUCK

[vectorit]

There is a long time member/vendor here on the forum "Captainfab" who makes high quality adapter plates and parts for our trucks, and one of the things he makes is a plate that facilitates one to install a PS box onto a non PS frame with out damaging it with hammers & torches.

Here is a thread that shows the plate I spoke of above.

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...632508&page=6t

[Ol Blue K20]

I believe that the brackets he makes are for the 60-66 trucks. I think yours has the same bolt pattern as a power steering box and will swap right on it.

[68SWB4x4]

I used a C series bracket to convert mine.

It’s not 100% the same by any means but it is working now.

I’ll post some info up later for you

[vectorit]

Thanks!

[68SWB4x4]

I think my plate was from brothers?

Only one bolt lined up I had to mock it up, measure, get the angle right, a few times and drill 3 new holes. It was a bit of a pain really.

[Benjamin]

I am very interested in this topic as I plan to perform the same upgrade in the near future.

This article may or may not be helpful for your specific application.

http://www.fourwheeler.com/how-to/tr...ower-steering/

The 1970 Suburban in this article apparently had a relief stamped in the frame, but the writer did mention that not all manual steering frames have this and that you may need to fabricate a piece to compensate.

Is it possible that in 1968 the frame was flat for manual steering applications, but by 1970 the relief had been added to the frame, regardless of whether the truck was equipped with power steering?

[68SWB4x4]

Originally Posted by Benjamin

I am very interested in this topic as I plan to perform the same upgrade in the near future.

This article may or may not be helpful for your specific application.

http://www.fourwheeler.com/how-to/tr...ower-steering/

The 1970 Suburban in this article apparently had a relief stamped in the frame, but the writer did mention that not all manual steering frames have this and that you may need to fabricate a piece to compensate.

Is it possible that in 1968 the frame was flat for manual steering applications, but by 1970 the relief had been added to the frame, regardless of whether the truck was equipped with power steering?

Every 67-68 K series truck I have ever looked at has a flat frame near the steering box. (hence the bracket I used above)

Later years have it stamped for both.

I am pretty sure P/S in 67-68 on K series trucks used ram assist P/S but that is VERY rare to find an original there is a guy on the parts board that has been looking for a set up for a few years now.

[Benjamin]

Originally Posted by 68SWB4x4

Every 67-68 K series truck I have ever looked at has a flat frame near the steering box. (hence the bracket I used above)

Later years have it stamped for both.

I am pretty sure P/S in 67-68 on K series trucks used ram assist P/S but that is VERY rare to find an original there is a guy on the parts board that has been looking for a set up for a few years now.

I just learned about the factory ram assist this week, there was a thread going with a guy trying to tighten up his, on a 2WD I believe.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=769077

[vectorit]

Thanks for the responses guys, I am taking my sweet time with this project because I want to do something clean for conversion to power. I've been driving the burb as is for as long as I can remember, so it's not like it's been keeping me from driving

I may just draw up a paper template of my frame and the PS box mounting holes, take it to a fabricator and just have them make me one since I don't have the resources to make one myself.

[68SWB4x4]

Originally Posted by Benjamin

I just learned about the factory ram assist this week, there was a thread going with a guy trying to tighten up his, on a 2WD I believe.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=769077

I came across a early 68 with that setup in pick n pull.

I got excited for a second because of the rarity then remembered rare doesn’t mean desirable 😂

It was common on GM cars I had one on a 64 Impala and it leaked everywhere

[Bigdav160]

Benjamin, I didn't realize until recently that the 67-68 K trucks had a different steering box than the 2WD. It's more than just the frame indentations.

[richard2717]

So what i am gathering is the 68 C10 frame is already set up for power steering box but not the K10? My 68 C10 panel has manual steering but I just did remove that in favor of power steering. It has the raised bolt holes in the frame so the power box will sit correctly. The only thing I just noticed when I held the PS box up there it the bumper bracket interferes with it so I will need to modify that.

[68SWB4x4]

Originally Posted by richard2717

So what i am gathering is the 68 C10 frame is already set up for power steering box but not the K10? My 68 C10 panel has manual steering but I just did remove that in favor of power steering. It has the raised bolt holes in the frame so the power box will sit correctly. The only thing I just noticed when I held the PS box up there it the bumper bracket interferes with it so I will need to modify that.

Correct

my of the three 67-68 K10s I've owned none were stamped for P/S

[richard2717]

Originally Posted by richard2717

So what i am gathering is the 68 C10 frame is already set up for power steering box but not the K10? My 68 C10 panel has manual steering but I just did remove that in favor of power steering. It has the raised bolt holes in the frame so the power box will sit correctly. The only thing I just noticed when I held the PS box up there it the bumper bracket interferes with it so I will need to modify that.

I have to edit this. Although the holes are raised in the frame on my 68 I did not notice that the indent was missing in the frame so I had to put the manual box back on till I get it sorted out. Mine is a 68 C10 Panel