Power Steering Adapter Plates

[Captainfab]

This is the power steering adapter plate that I have been making since 1993. It is of a little different design than the others on the market. With mine you don't need to drill out any threaded holes on the steering box. All four of the steering box bolts go thru the frame. Also there is no inner plate to deal with. I don't feel it is necessary for a 2 wheel drive truck. I've had this same plate on my '66 Suburban since 1993 and put just over 120,000 miles on it with no issues. When I've installed these, I stitch weld the plate to the frame for a little added strength. This isn't absolutely necessary though, since there are four bolts securing it to the frame. Please go to our website for the currect pricing and to make your purchase. https://customfab-cda.com Included is the bracket as shown and four grade 8 bolts and lock washers, installation instructions and template. To place an order post in this thread, send me a PM or send an email to captainfab454@hotmail.com, and I will give you the ordering and payment instructions and current lead time.


For an additional part to go with this adapter plate, the tube and flange, see page 6, posts #126 and #137 and post #711 on page 29

These adapter plates can also be used on the K series frames that didn't come from the factory with power steering.

[LILRED66]

Nice setup.

[joe231]

Hey John,
I noticed you turned red.....I was wondering what you had up your sleeve
nice looking piece!!

[Captainfab]

Originally Posted by LILRED66

Nice setup.

Thanks Tony.

Originally Posted by joe231

Hey John,
I noticed you turned red.....I was wondering what you had up your sleeve
nice looking piece!!

Been trying to get this going for a while now......more to come. Thanks Joe

[Captainfab]

TTT

[Captainfab]

Bump

[toms84ss]

Still available? I need one.

[joe231]

hey, you got any pics of how it installs with all 4 bolts through the frame...that has me scratching my head.....

[Captainfab]

Originally Posted by toms84ss

Still available? I need one.

Yes I still have several. Let me know how you would like to make the payment....Paypal works for me.

Originally Posted by joe231

hey, you got any pics of how it installs with all 4 bolts through the frame...that has me scratching my head.....

Yes I do Joe, but I don't seem to have them on this computer. I'll post them in the morning from the shop.

[joe231]

Cool
Thanks
No hurry

[Captainfab]

Here are a few installed pics on a couple different trucks.

[duallyjams]

pm sent

[Chuck78]

I was planning on getting one of the CPP or REZ brackets, but then I saw yours. I know the CPP kit comes with a steel sleeve to couple the steering shaft back together after shortening it. What do you recommend using? I suppose I could weld it back together, grind flush, and then slide a piece of steel pipe over it and weld that on for extra reinforcement. Looking for better solutions than that if there are any.

Thanks Capt.!

[Captainfab]

Originally Posted by Chuck78

I was planning on getting one of the CPP or REZ brackets, but then I saw yours. I know the CPP kit comes with a steel sleeve to couple the steering shaft back together after shortening it. What do you recommend using? I suppose I could weld it back together, grind flush, and then slide a piece of steel pipe over it and weld that on for extra reinforcement. Looking for better solutions than that if there are any.

Thanks Capt.!

The way I do it is cut the rag joint flange off of the steering shaft and drill the ramaining shaft out of the center with a 3/4" drill. Then shorten the shaft, slide the flange back over the shaft and weld it to the shaft. This way looks a lot cleaner and is just a better way IMO.

[joe231]

that is how my kit said to do it...worked very slick...just mark a line along the length of the lower shaft and a corresponding mark on the rag joint coupler so you can get it lined back up correctly before you weld it...

[Chuck78]

will these work the same for a 60-62??? I know one of the manufacturer's kits advertise 60-66, but don't install as good for 60-62.

[Captainfab]

I haven't put one of these on a '60-'62, but I don't see why it wouldn't work. It's been a long time since I've looked at the frame on a '60-'62, but it seems to me like the area where the steering box is the frame is boxed. That being the case you would need some pieces of tube to go between the inner and outter frame, and some longer bolts.

[gbrown]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

I haven't put one of these on a '60-'62, but I don't see why it wouldn't work. It's been a long time since I've looked at the frame on a '60-'62, but it seems to me like the area where the steering box is the frame is boxed. That being the case you would need some pieces of tube to go between the inner and outter frame, and some longer bolts.

Could I forgo the pieces of tube and longer bolts if I were able to just weld your bracket to my frame rail like you suggest doing in the 1st post? Also, does your bracket include directions regarding re-installing the steering shaft, etc? Thanks.

[Captainfab]

Yes you could stitch weld the plate to the frame, and not use the tubes. However, you will still need to cut holes in the inner flame web to unstall the bolts into the steering box.

The installation instructions do show you how to re-use the original flange from the end of the steering column shaft. However that does require the use of a drill press and a welder. If those are not available, the tube and flange that I sell is a simple solution.

Originally Posted by gbrown

Could I forgo the pieces of tube and longer bolts if I were able to just weld your bracket to my frame rail like you suggest doing in the 1st post? Also, does your bracket include directions regarding re-installing the steering shaft, etc? Thanks.

[joe231]

I have more questions for you John.....
With the other kits, as you know, the front lower hole hangs below the frame...yours doesn't...what is the angle of the gear in relation to the steering column shaft? I noticed on our '66 short bed, when i used the REZ kit the front of the gear box seemed low and the column shaft didn't really line up....I assumed it was because my cab mounts were old and had allowed the cab to sag?? but maybe it is the placement of the box?
your kit obviously puts the front of the gear higher and places it at a different angle. I really like your design..i just wonder why all the others don't do it like this? I have also wondered why no one has come up with a pit-man arm that is slightly offset to make up the spacing off of the frame so you don't need to adjust your center link towards the driver's side...

sorry, you just got me thinking with this plate....i think it is innovative and thanks for sharing it with us

[Captainfab]

With this bracket the steering column shaft and the input of the steering box are pretty much in line. One thing that has to be done when installing my bracket is you need to loosen up the column mounts both at the dash and at the firewall. Then you can raise the steering shaft to line up with the input shaft of the steering box. Then tighten the mounts back up. When I designed this bracket I had two main goals 1) keep all the bolts on the frame, and 2) keep the draglink in the original position

Yeah that would be nice if someone would tool up and make a pitman arm to compensate for the postion of the steering box, but that's probably just wishful thinking.

Thanks for the compliments Joe

[joe231]

Right On!!

[cheavy metal]

hey captain....great stuff. for a 66 gm truck does the power steering plate use existing holes and what truck is the donor steering box out of ? do you think I could make a column from a 80 regal work in my 66?

[Captainfab]

The adapter does not use existing holes, you will need to drill all 4 holes. You can use any C-series power steering box from '69-'87. Starting in around '81 or so GM switched to metris fittings for the hoses, so you'll want to be sure to get the correct punp to go with your box so you can use off the shelf hoses. You can make most any steering column work if you have the skills to modify it if needed. However it is typically simpler to use either a pickup or van column in a pickup. Thanks for inquiring......

[cheavy metal]

thanks for the response. hear ya on the column. I guess I'm hoping someones going to say hell it'll bolt right in. so if a guy grabs one of your ps adapter plates how do you know where to locate it?