Anyone still running manual steering? by choice - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

davidh · 03-15-2006, 04:21 AM

Is anyone still running manual steering with no plans to change it? I was just wondering if in new condtion, front end or if anyone who had one of these trucks new remembers how it was navigating one of these. I've got several trucks but they all need front end work so I cant get a good objective. One has a manual steering box that is shot. The ratio is about 4 complete turns of the wheel.

I say this and question it because I drove a guys 55 chevy with manual steering that had just been rebuilt with a V8 and it wasn't that bad to steer even with the small steering wheel. I was suprised.

Bad Dog · 03-15-2006, 04:32 AM

Yeah I'm currently running manual steering and it really BLOWS

Oh, and did I mention that I even have non power assisted 4 wheel DRUM brakes. It takes me two feet to stop quickly.

Bad Dog

jc · 03-15-2006, 04:32 AM

mine is nice in tight in my 67 ans no way in hell will i convert
i like to keep em original as posible
its just a little tricky trying to paralell park with a hot cup of coffee and 3 on the tree
but i love it
it makes it fun to drive

but it could really use a sway bar!!

davidh · 03-15-2006, 04:36 AM

Post some pics of that 67. Only 37K I bet the front end is still tight.

**'68OrangeSunshine** · 03-15-2006, 04:46 AM

Yeah, I have the stock manual Saginaw box on my '68 C/10 Stepside. I love it. No drips. No squeels. No freaky hoses to find rotted out and be a b!itch to change. No having to bleed same. And it turns on a dime.
Set up is an L6 292, SM 465 tranny, shortwheel base, one-piece propshaft. [Original configuration.]
Steering box was NOS from Ed at Mothertruckers' a couple of years ago. Tires are new Dunlap 235/85R16LTs. [Tall and skinny]. L6s are a couple hundred pounds lighter in the nose than V8s -- and that helps. Stops OK on drum brakes too.
I tried converting from manual steering to power on my '67 K/10 Suburban [w/454]. It was a disaster. Bad turning radius. Bump steer. Broken bolts. Fluid leaks. I had to change back to manual, but it was not as good as before. '67 was a wierd year. They used ram-assisted manual steering. Swapping in a '69 power steering gearbox was not wise. My solution will be to convert to a '77 vintage Dana 44 with disc brakes and power steering. But that truck's just a pipe dream project for now.
My other runner is a '71 Jimmy. I was lucky this summer -- I had P/S problems, but it turned out to be the hi-pressure hose. I R&R'ed both hoses and flushed the box repeatedly until it bled clear -- and it was good. It also handled a lot better once I junked the PO's pimp Grant wheel [12"] and replaced the stock 17" wheel .

jc · 03-15-2006, 04:49 AM

sure, it was a farm truck up here but must have retired early
2nd owner baught it from his neighbor 15 years ago put it in a barn and it got covered with pigeon poop ,than that guy died and his wife sold it to a guy at at a garage who imediatly ebayed it and thats were a came in.
no rust ever. no i need a garage to put her in being shes not mint show truck i drive it a little bit more tan the 48,000 mile 71 in the garage.

davidh · 03-15-2006, 04:58 AM

Intresting. Your 67 has the chrome head light rings and grille trim but a white bumper. Did you change that out or was it original. I've got a blue truck like that , farm truck too. IT has many more dents down the driver's side. As he got older he would hit the side of the shed as he pulled in, .

jc · 03-15-2006, 09:16 AM

i havnt dont any thing to the 67 except get rid or the custom bed rails, adjust timing and swap wheels . the nylon corded tires where just a little scary around the bends and wobbled like crzy over 45mph

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidh

Intresting. Your 67 has the chrome head light rings and grille trim but a white bumper. Did you change that out or was it original. I've got a blue truck like that , farm truck too. IT has many more dents down the driver's side. As he got older he would hit the side of the shed as he pulled in, .

Tx Firefighter · 03-15-2006, 07:40 AM

I've had plenty of these trucks with each, so I've seen both sides of the fence.

It doesn't make me much difference either way.

I converted my current truck back to manual steering a few weeks ago. It drives just fine. I run a stock late model truck 4 spoke wheel.

67shortie · 03-15-2006, 07:49 AM

I just converted mine from manual steering to power and what a difference

Before it was a chore in parking lots etc, but on the open road it was fine like others have said. After the conversion, after many parts store trips, the later 72 3/4 ton box has a much quicker ratio, parking is a breeze and going around normal corners is a pleasure. I get to enjoy my ECE 4/6 drop and 1-1/8 inch front sway bar as well now

I don't regret any of it.

Jerry Jones · 03-15-2006, 09:16 AM

I have a '68 C10 with power nothing and a 4-speed, just a work truck, had it for years. I also have a '71 C20 p/s p/b. I love 'em both, sometimes it is good to drive the '68 around to remind me that I still have some upper body strength

.

I think as long as everything is good and tight, you have good rubber on the road, and you have a original sized steering wheel... things work pretty well.

boundstaffpress · 03-15-2006, 10:44 AM

I have manual steering in my 67 k10 4 spd. It is the full 4 turns lock to lock, and can be exciting trying to get in to my carport. I don't mind it for driving, but wouldn't want to do much paralell parking.

HeavyD · 03-15-2006, 12:40 PM

I have manual steering on my GMC and I hate it even worse than the 3 spd standard. With 255/70/15 tires on front turning the wheel is a real workout, and gets old fast.

67ChevyRedneck · 03-15-2006, 12:54 PM

I completely rebuilt my front end and was lucky to have a fairly tight steering box that came with my 71 disk brake suspension I put on my '67. I have no problem driving it. It would be nice to have power, but I don't think I need it. I don't park near other cars anyway, so I have an easy time parking it.

**oldgold70c10** · 03-15-2006, 02:39 PM

Yes, but my steering box is badly worn too. I am in the process of buying the parts to rebuild my front end, and will put a new steering box in too, but not power steering. My manual drums seem to work good too, stops quickly. The big steering wheel makes manual steering easy, plus I like the exercise!

carl609 · 03-15-2006, 06:16 PM

I have manual steering and 245/60s. I cant afford a gym membership so i think i will keep it.

71chevytruckguy · 03-15-2006, 06:29 PM

i have manual on my '69 with 275/60/15 on all for corners. real easy to turn. maybe cause it's 6 turns lock to lock! i don't wanna put p/s on it cause i need every mile per gallon i get. i got a p/s box that 4.5 lock to lock and was think about putting that on with out a pump so i could get a quicker ratio. chris.

LUV2XCLR8 · 03-15-2006, 07:15 PM

"GQ" w/ the 35's has PS, the "ROADSTER" project will NOT

03-15-2006, 04:21 AM	#1
davidh Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Ponca city now kingfisher Oklahoma Posts: 1,221	Anyone still running manual steering? by choice Is anyone still running manual steering with no plans to change it? I was just wondering if in new condtion, front end or if anyone who had one of these trucks new remembers how it was navigating one of these. I've got several trucks but they all need front end work so I cant get a good objective. One has a manual steering box that is shot. The ratio is about 4 complete turns of the wheel. I say this and question it because I drove a guys 55 chevy with manual steering that had just been rebuilt with a V8 and it wasn't that bad to steer even with the small steering wheel. I was suprised.

03-15-2006, 04:32 AM	#2
Bad Dog Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 48	Re: Anyone still running manual steering? by choice Yeah I'm currently running manual steering and it really BLOWS Oh, and did I mention that I even have non power assisted 4 wheel DRUM brakes. It takes me two feet to stop quickly. Bad Dog

03-15-2006, 04:32 AM	#3
jc Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Jackson, New Jersey Posts: 1,560	Re: Anyone still running manual steering? by choice mine is nice in tight in my 67 ans no way in hell will i convert i like to keep em original as posible its just a little tricky trying to paralell park with a hot cup of coffee and 3 on the tree but i love it it makes it fun to drive but it could really use a sway bar!! __________________ 2004 Silverado 2500HD Crewcab 4x4 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER 1971 CHEYENNE LWB (THE LOVE SHACK) 1967 c-10 lwb (THE FARMERS DAUGHTER) Last edited by jc; 03-15-2006 at 10:48 AM.

03-15-2006, 04:36 AM	#4
davidh Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Ponca city now kingfisher Oklahoma Posts: 1,221	Re: Anyone still running manual steering? by choice Post some pics of that 67. Only 37K I bet the front end is still tight.

03-15-2006, 04:46 AM	#5
'68OrangeSunshine Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Tucson, AZ USA Posts: 7,205	Re: Anyone still running manual steering? by choice Yeah, I have the stock manual Saginaw box on my '68 C/10 Stepside. I love it. No drips. No squeels. No freaky hoses to find rotted out and be a b!itch to change. No having to bleed same. And it turns on a dime. Set up is an L6 292, SM 465 tranny, shortwheel base, one-piece propshaft. [Original configuration.] Steering box was NOS from Ed at Mothertruckers' a couple of years ago. Tires are new Dunlap 235/85R16LTs. [Tall and skinny]. L6s are a couple hundred pounds lighter in the nose than V8s -- and that helps. Stops OK on drum brakes too. I tried converting from manual steering to power on my '67 K/10 Suburban [w/454]. It was a disaster. Bad turning radius. Bump steer. Broken bolts. Fluid leaks. I had to change back to manual, but it was not as good as before. '67 was a wierd year. They used ram-assisted manual steering. Swapping in a '69 power steering gearbox was not wise. My solution will be to convert to a '77 vintage Dana 44 with disc brakes and power steering. But that truck's just a pipe dream project for now. My other runner is a '71 Jimmy. I was lucky this summer -- I had P/S problems, but it turned out to be the hi-pressure hose. I R&R'ed both hoses and flushed the box repeatedly until it bled clear -- and it was good. It also handled a lot better once I junked the PO's pimp Grant wheel [12"] and replaced the stock 17" wheel . __________________ Every 25 years I like to rebuild that 292, whether it needs it or not.

03-15-2006, 04:49 AM	#6
jc Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Jackson, New Jersey Posts: 1,560	Re: Anyone still running manual steering? by choice sure, it was a farm truck up here but must have retired early 2nd owner baught it from his neighbor 15 years ago put it in a barn and it got covered with pigeon poop ,than that guy died and his wife sold it to a guy at at a garage who imediatly ebayed it and thats were a came in. no rust ever. no i need a garage to put her in being shes not mint show truck i drive it a little bit more tan the 48,000 mile 71 in the garage. __________________ 2004 Silverado 2500HD Crewcab 4x4 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER 1971 CHEYENNE LWB (THE LOVE SHACK) 1967 c-10 lwb (THE FARMERS DAUGHTER)

03-15-2006, 04:58 AM	#7
davidh Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Ponca city now kingfisher Oklahoma Posts: 1,221	Re: Anyone still running manual steering? by choice Intresting. Your 67 has the chrome head light rings and grille trim but a white bumper. Did you change that out or was it original. I've got a blue truck like that , farm truck too. IT has many more dents down the driver's side. As he got older he would hit the side of the shed as he pulled in, .

03-15-2006, 07:40 AM	#9
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Re: Anyone still running manual steering? by choice I've had plenty of these trucks with each, so I've seen both sides of the fence. It doesn't make me much difference either way. I converted my current truck back to manual steering a few weeks ago. It drives just fine. I run a stock late model truck 4 spoke wheel. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

03-15-2006, 07:49 AM	#10
67shortie Green club Join Date: May 2002 Location: Central CA Posts: 1,059	Re: Anyone still running manual steering? by choice I just converted mine from manual steering to power and what a difference Before it was a chore in parking lots etc, but on the open road it was fine like others have said. After the conversion, after many parts store trips, the later 72 3/4 ton box has a much quicker ratio, parking is a breeze and going around normal corners is a pleasure. I get to enjoy my ECE 4/6 drop and 1-1/8 inch front sway bar as well now I don't regret any of it. __________________ 71 short/fleet ECE 4/6 drop, LQ4/700r4/3.42 gears 70 SS396 Chevelle 427/200-4R/3.73posi 61 Lincoln Continental, black on black Son you are going to drive me to drinkin if you don't stop drivin that hot rod lincoln

03-15-2006, 09:16 AM	#11
Jerry Jones Happy Camper Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Northern California Posts: 8,408	Re: Anyone still running manual steering? by choice I have a '68 C10 with power nothing and a 4-speed, just a work truck, had it for years. I also have a '71 C20 p/s p/b. I love 'em both, sometimes it is good to drive the '68 around to remind me that I still have some upper body strength . I think as long as everything is good and tight, you have good rubber on the road, and you have a original sized steering wheel... things work pretty well. __________________ RIP El Jay! Love you brother!

03-15-2006, 10:44 AM	#12
boundstaffpress Jamie Hyneman is my twin Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: La Junta, Colorado Posts: 705	Re: Anyone still running manual steering? by choice I have manual steering in my 67 k10 4 spd. It is the full 4 turns lock to lock, and can be exciting trying to get in to my carport. I don't mind it for driving, but wouldn't want to do much paralell parking. __________________ Justin SOLD 1967 K10 Fleetside, 283, Front and Rear Posi SOLD Color Wiring Diagrams Now in High Resolution V8 and Cab and Cab and Chassis

03-15-2006, 12:40 PM	#13
HeavyD Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Wakaw, Sask, Canada Posts: 3,179	Re: Anyone still running manual steering? by choice I have manual steering on my GMC and I hate it even worse than the 3 spd standard. With 255/70/15 tires on front turning the wheel is a real workout, and gets old fast. __________________ "You can take the man out of PA, but you can't take PA out of the man"

03-15-2006, 12:54 PM	#14
67ChevyRedneck Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 23,090	Re: Anyone still running manual steering? by choice I completely rebuilt my front end and was lucky to have a fairly tight steering box that came with my 71 disk brake suspension I put on my '67. I have no problem driving it. It would be nice to have power, but I don't think I need it. I don't park near other cars anyway, so I have an easy time parking it. __________________ Jesse James 1967 C10 SWB Stepside: 350/700R4/3.73 1965 Ford Mustang: 289/T5-5spd/3.25 Trac-Loc 1968 Pontiac Firebird: Project Fire Chicken! 2015 Silverado Double Cab 5.3L Z71 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L 5spd 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium 2.0L Turbo 2011 Mustang V6 ~ Wife's ride American Born, Country by the Grace of God 1967 CST Shop Truck Rebuild! My 1967 C-10 Build Thread My Vintage Air A/C Install Project "On a Dime" Trying my hand at Home Renovation! 1965 Mustang Modifications!

03-15-2006, 02:39 PM	#15
oldgold70c10 Who's got steelies? Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Morrison, Oklahoma Posts: 1,026	Re: Anyone still running manual steering? by choice Yes, but my steering box is badly worn too. I am in the process of buying the parts to rebuild my front end, and will put a new steering box in too, but not power steering. My manual drums seem to work good too, stops quickly. The big steering wheel makes manual steering easy, plus I like the exercise! __________________ 1969 C10 LWB W/ 250 I6 & 3spd 1970 C10 with '67 small window cab, 68 front end, blue; 305/TH350, 3.08 limited slip rear end, manual brakes, power steering; & 4-wheel drums-My daily driver. 1975 Chevelle Malibu Classic Coupe 350/th350 mint green 1970 C20 Suburban 350/700R4 4.10 gearing green & white 1978 Big 10 Silverado 350/th350, working ac, 2 tone blue-My summer daily driver 1983 GMC 1500 Sierra 305/SM465 2.73 rear end How to add a trip odometer to your 67-72 stock speedometer How to rebuild your Q-Jet My Truck Page My Youtube Channel

03-15-2006, 06:16 PM	#16
carl609 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Lynnwood, WA Posts: 63	Re: Anyone still running manual steering? by choice I have manual steering and 245/60s. I cant afford a gym membership so i think i will keep it.



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03-15-2006, 06:29 PM	#17
71chevytruckguy Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Kernersville, NC Posts: 599	Re: Anyone still running manual steering? by choice i have manual on my '69 with 275/60/15 on all for corners. real easy to turn. maybe cause it's 6 turns lock to lock! i don't wanna put p/s on it cause i need every mile per gallon i get. i got a p/s box that 4.5 lock to lock and was think about putting that on with out a pump so i could get a quicker ratio. chris. __________________ its a work in progess. 71 c-10 lwb, in the middle of frame off restoration. 69 c-10 swb, drag truck, 406 sbc, balanced, comp 292 cam, ported, polished, gasket matched, and bowl blended pro comp 210cc heads, 2.02/1.60 ferrea valves,1.6 roller rockers, re curved hei with msd 6al box, 2-step rev limter, accel 300+ wires, ported victor jr intake, holley 750 double pumper carb, dynomax 1 5/8 headers, 4 spd munci m-20 with super case and iron midplate, mr. gasket vertigate shifter, 5.38 pro gears with full spool, 33 spline moser axles and c-clip elimators, line-loc, 5 gal fuel cell, holley blue pump. 7.807 @ 88.37mph 1.60 60FT 80 g-20 van, tow rig, cammed 305, th350, 10 bolt 88 jeep wrangler, dd, 258, ax-15 swap, 4.5" lift, 33x12.50's, lockers, 3.55's

03-15-2006, 07:15 PM	#18
LUV2XCLR8 The LuvShack Garage Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Maple Grove, TN (West Side) Posts: 30,475	Re: Anyone still running manual steering? by choice "GQ" w/ the 35's has PS, the "ROADSTER" project will NOT __________________ Owner/Op: "TN Classic Transport Carriers" The Toy: "Square Vette" 72 Hybrid Blazer Toy Barn: "LuvShack" 40 x 60 x 20 Shop Big Piggy: "Goliath" 07 Kodiak C4500 Lil Piggy:"Maddy" 88 Silverado 3500 Hauler: "Feathers" 14 Aluma 8218T

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