Power or no power steering

[67ChevyPickupMan]

My truck has factory manual steering while my dads has power steering (not stock). And I was wondering who hear likes power or manual steering, which is more popular (probably self explanatory) and if people still buy manual steering.

[carbon69]

If you have hard time making it into the gym, go manual steering. It's great for building that upper body!

Joking aside, I've converted every manual steering rig I've owned to power. To me it just makes the whole experience of cruising around that much more enjoyable.

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

Originally Posted by carbon69

If you have hard time making it into the gym, go manual steering. It's great for building that upper body!

20 years ago I was dropping a engine into my friends C10, and doing a bunch of suspension mods for him. He had a job that had extreme OT so I said I would do the work for him. And dial it in.

I was a in decent shape from my electricians job, and after 4 weeks of driving that truck. I could really see the difference in my body. Also I began to just drive it like it was a power steering equipped. Meaning putting one hand on the wheel for most driving except parking lots.

If you do power insuggest getting a fast ratio box it forms it up nicely with a matched pump.

[truckster]

The only reason I can think of to keep manual steering is to avoid having family members drive your truck. For me it's power steering all the way.

This is especially true of 4 wheel drive, where power steering is a safety consideration if you off-road at all.

[Stocker]

When I started driving back in the mid-sixties, a lot of vehicles didn't have (and most didn't need) power steering -- including a few that I owned. Skinny tires helped. Seems like it has been many, many years since I drove anything with manual steering. Wouldn't bother me too much if I never did again.

[Grumpy old man]

I just finished installing power steering on my 67 and wouldn't consider keeping it manual . it's a good upgrade and not that hard to do .

[carbon69]

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

I just finished installing power steering on my 67 and wouldn't consider keeping it manual . it's a good upgrade and not that hard to do .

Hey grumpy, did you have to dimple the frame for that steering box?

[Grumpy old man]

Yes , if you look at the lower left of this picture you can see where I used a cut off wheel to run 2 grooves down the frame rail being careful to not go all the way thru , Then I used a little heat and hammer to move that section in enough for the steering box to fit . Once I was happy with the fit I ran multiple small welds across the 2 grooves and sanded it all smooth . Worked great without beating the frame with a BFH .

Parts -

71 power steering bracket --- $80.00
CPP power steering pump----$130.00
Chrome pulley ---------------$35.00
SS power steering hoses----- $95.00 Pickmup
Power steering gear box-----$138.00 advance 3.3
Moog pitman arm ------------$35.00
steering coupler -------------$31.00
___________________________________________
----------------------------$544.00 ++

[Eric Johnson]

When I bought my 67 I was prepared to go to power steering. However, when It arrived and took my initial drive, found out that it was not bad at all, so I am keeping it manual. I live in the country though and as some members have remarked, location and type of driving situations would have an impact on which to go with. I THINK my 67 has the dimpled frame. It is was built in late JUly 67. Can someone verify this for me? Pic attached...

[68panelman]

I'm the odd man out who likes it too, my area is rural and I enjoy the simplicity. My 67 has those same dimples too as Eric's

[palallin]

When I was much younger, I put power steering on my '67 so that my mother could drive it if needed. I didn't feel any need for it otherwise.

[chewychevy67]

My 67 has the old ram style power assist on it so I restored it. It was on it factory so I restored it and put it back on. Soim kind of a little bit of both. Hope I don't regret it as my frame is powder coated and it won't be getting dimpled now. But even so power steering is nice either way and one of the best upgrades to do to your truck.

[dagnabbitt]

I'm working on my 68 C20 with a 292 and I've heard that it is tough to find the necessary parts to install power steering on it. Don't know if that is true or not. I have so much to do to the truck that PS is kind of far down the list anyway.

Once I get it on the road I guess we will see: I think as long as you don't have to do any parallel parking you will be fine without it. I might change my tune though.

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

Originally Posted by dagnabbitt

I'm working on my 68 C20 with a 292 and I've heard that it is tough to find the necessary parts to install power steering on it. Don't know if that is true or not. I have so much to do to the truck that PS is kind of far down the list anyway.

Once I get it on the road I guess we will see: I think as long as you don't have to do any parallel parking you will be fine without it. I might change my tune though.

The secret to non power steering driving is to get the truck moving before you turn the wheel. Even a 1/2 mph makes it 200% easier to steer.

[projectking]

Originally Posted by chewychevy67

My 67 has the old ram style power assist on it so I restored it. It was on it factory so I restored it and put it back on. Soim kind of a little bit of both. Hope I don't regret it as my frame is powder coated and it won't be getting dimpled now. But even so power steering is nice either way and one of the best upgrades to do to your truck.

I also have the ram assist, where did you find the seals?

[67ChevyPickupMan]

Seems like power steering is the way to go. I figured that much. Hopefully it's not to expensive to do. Everyone says the same thing about the upper body strength too. Probably the one good thing to come out of manual steering, especially for someone who will be a high school senior in two years. I don't fight(personally don't know how to and don't want to) but the strength would be great since I'm in automotive and work with a friend as a diesel mechanic in the summer. Another question, how hard is it to find power steering parts for a 283 V8 with a 2 barrel carb? Thanks to all who already posted. Happy New Year too.

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

There the same as any other sbc. Long water pump or short water pump versions. I forget the switch over year.

Also if you want the 87+ TBI serpentine is cheap to get used, and leaves you with a better belt. Plus easier to add ac if that interest you. You will also need the water pump in this version.

If your going to pick a part it then you'll be better going to the long water pump if your truck is not equipped. Since it is easier to find these days where I live.

[KQQL IT]

My 68 is power and my 73 isnt. It doesn't bother me either way. Like them both for different reasons. Just takes a different approach with manual steering.

[maverickmk]

Originally Posted by 67ChevyPickupMan

Seems like power steering is the way to go. I figured that much. Hopefully it's not to expensive to do. Everyone says the same thing about the upper body strength too. Probably the one good thing to come out of manual steering, especially for someone who will be a high school senior in two years. I don't fight(personally don't know how to and don't want to) but the strength would be great since I'm in automotive and work with a friend as a diesel mechanic in the summer. Another question, how hard is it to find power steering parts for a 283 V8 with a 2 barrel carb? Thanks to all who already posted. Happy New Year too.

Wow, you're still in high school? It is really awesome to have you here and to have someone of your age into these old trucks. Very cool. This place is a plethora of information. Stop in often, use the search and keep us up to date on your progress.

[68 C10 Driver]

Originally Posted by maverickmk

Wow, you're still in high school? It is really awesome to have you here and to have someone of your age into these old trucks. Very cool. This place is a plethora of information. Stop in often, use the search and keep us up to date on your progress.

X2. Outstanding that we have younger members here that are interested in preserving antique vehicles. Good on them!

[67ChevyPickupMan]

Originally Posted by 68 C10 Driver

X2. Outstanding that we have younger members here that are interested in preserving antique vehicles. Good on them!

I am (As are other fellow gear head kids) a rare kind of bread.

[67ChevyPickupMan]

I probably will convert my truck to power steering in the future, but I wouldn't mind trying out manual for a hot second. I might like it, who knows. What does a ram style look like?

[Getter-Done]

Originally Posted by 67ChevyPickupMan

I probably will convert my truck to power steering in the future, but I wouldn't mind trying out manual for a hot second. I might like it, who knows. What does a ram style look like?

The ram looks like this.

Here is a setup on a 66 chevy (picture from the board)




Here is a helpful link of parts for regular power steering
from a member in this link below.

Link: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=216886














.

[maverickmk]

My 80 Corvette had that setup, the ram style power assist. The first thing I did was get rid of it and get a standard power steering gear box.

[chewychevy67]

Originally Posted by maverickmk

My 80 Corvette had that setup, the ram style power assist. The first thing I did was get rid of it and get a standard power steering gear box.

Did you get rid of it because it did not steer well or because it leaked? Just curious