Who has manual steering on their truck? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

68 Suburban · 07-22-2002, 10:20 AM

Im just curious how the steering is with manual steering? Is it hard to turn the truck, etc...? Thanks

72Lester · 07-22-2002, 10:22 AM

Not hard if you keep the original "big" wheel, but if you go to a smaller aftermarket like mine - you'd better have a good grip

JJR · 07-22-2002, 10:28 AM

It is not to bad but it is a two hand job so if you like to have a beverage in one hand most of the time while driving you will want power steering or a good cup holder.

ebfabman · 07-22-2002, 10:28 AM

It sucks, and yep........

kinda like water soaked drum brakes, but hey, you might like it...

ckhd · 07-22-2002, 11:16 AM

I'm a manual steering expert! My 69 started with manual steering. I had 10-15lts on it with the manual, and a small Grant GT steering wheel. I developed a talent of cranking the wheel really fast while the pickup was barely rolling (it's impossible to do it sitting still). I put power steering in it.

My '68 still has manual steering, and it has 12.5" wide, 33" tall tires. I have the original big steering wheel, and it's not too bad. A little tricky to park, but I just revert back to the days of the '69 manual steering and get the job done.

Let me tell you. If you have manual steering on a 4 wheel drive, and a steering wheel with sharp edges (like a grant GT wheel), DON'T grasp the wheel where your thumb wraps around the wheel! I still have scars on my thumb from that!

mikej71 · 07-22-2002, 11:24 AM

I have it, and I hate it. I have a complete power setup ready to go in when I drop in the sb400. I'd put it in now, but I'm going to have to change all of the pulleys, etc., so I might as well wait.

I had manual steering on the '67 I had in high school, and I had about a 12" foam wheel on it. I can't believe I actually drove that thing! I think power steering will give me a whole new outlook on my '71.

CE20934 · 07-22-2002, 11:31 AM

I like manual steering. I have a wheel that's 1 1/2" smaller than the stock wheel, but it does the job. Steering effort really went away after I replaced both the upper & lower bearings in the column.

Speed balls are handy for one-handed manual steering. I wish I could remember where I put mine after I was ordered to remove it. Good ol' Colorado State Patrol.

**Classic Heartbeat** · 07-22-2002, 11:56 AM

Both my 67 Panel and my 67 C-20 have manual steering. They both have the origanal steering wheels also. The Panel steers relativly easely and with less than half the effort as my C-20 though. The C-20 has taller tires, but the Panel has wider... They both will have power steering though when I am done with them. WES www.ClassicHeartbeat.com

Knoxville71shortbed · 07-22-2002, 11:57 AM

I have manual steering on my '71 shortbed, and it really doesn't seem to be a problem. I drive it 100 miles a day, and I think the handling might even be a little more predictable than with power steering. I have a 15" Grant wheel, and haven't noticed it to be any harder to turn than the 17" original. The Grant wheel is thicker, which I think feels a lot better than the skinny stock wheel. I agree about the upper shaft bearing. I changed mine, when I converted to the new wheel, and it seemed to help a lot with the smoothness of turning the wheel. I also have 8" rims on the front, with fairly wide radial tires. I'm not saying that I enjoy parallel parking the thing, but I really haven't seen a reason to spend the bucks for power steering yet. And as a side benefit, my wife won't drive it because it doesn't have power steering!

woodrow59 · 07-22-2002, 04:18 PM

When I bought mine it had "power steering" ,,,,,,,,It had a power steering box that someone had cut the hoses and didn't plug them !!!!!!!! Talk about rough. Got a manual box and it made a he!! of a difference. Then replaced the "nascar slicks" (bald tires) and the shocks (the ones on there had to be the originals,,,,,when you compressed them, they stayed!!!) and it steers great now!

toolman70 · 07-22-2002, 08:22 PM

I have manual steering and I kind of like muscling the truck around
(strange huh)you also have to stay with a large wheel. I put in a grant wheel and stayed with the original size. Works and looks good.

Super Chevy · 07-22-2002, 11:47 PM

I do and i have a 14" grant,its not too bad...

bobs409 · 07-23-2002, 07:22 AM

My '71 has manual with a Camaro style 4 spoke steering wheel. I recently put on some 10" wide 31" tires and I have no problems steering it around my yard. (not on the road yet) I think it turns easily.

I like manual steering. Lets me know im driving a real truck! LOL (and the big 4 speed doesn't hurt either!)

sewanhaka62 · 07-23-2002, 02:04 PM

hi
i have a 67 c10 short with manual --it is no problem
had a 69 long bed and put power steering in it to make parking
easier--no problem on open road [NYC parking is rough]

bob

okietruck · 07-23-2002, 03:08 PM

I had manual steering on my 72. It was nearly impossible in a busy parking lot. I put power steering on in January and it was some of the smartest money I have spent (only about $50 at the salvage).

07-22-2002, 10:20 AM	#1
68 Suburban Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: From Chicago, Live in Phoenix, AZ Posts: 6,802	Who has manual steering on their truck? Im just curious how the steering is with manual steering? Is it hard to turn the truck, etc...? Thanks __________________ Just sitting here contemplating contemplation.

07-22-2002, 10:22 AM	#2
72Lester Genuine smartass Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Enid, OK - soon to be Rapid City, SD Posts: 126	Not hard if you keep the original "big" wheel, but if you go to a smaller aftermarket like mine - you'd better have a good grip __________________ '99 Chevy 3/4 Burb 4x4 '98 Chevy 1/2 Short Bed 4x4 Former 67 & 72 owner Wanted: 1972 10 or 20 4X4, V8 4spd

07-22-2002, 10:28 AM	#4
ebfabman Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Concord, NC Posts: 2,489	It sucks, and yep........ kinda like water soaked drum brakes, but hey, you might like it... Last edited by ebfabman; 07-22-2002 at 10:33 AM.

07-22-2002, 11:16 AM	#5
ckhd Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: St. Johns, Arizona Posts: 2,660	I'm a manual steering expert! My 69 started with manual steering. I had 10-15lts on it with the manual, and a small Grant GT steering wheel. I developed a talent of cranking the wheel really fast while the pickup was barely rolling (it's impossible to do it sitting still). I put power steering in it. My '68 still has manual steering, and it has 12.5" wide, 33" tall tires. I have the original big steering wheel, and it's not too bad. A little tricky to park, but I just revert back to the days of the '69 manual steering and get the job done. Let me tell you. If you have manual steering on a 4 wheel drive, and a steering wheel with sharp edges (like a grant GT wheel), DON'T grasp the wheel where your thumb wraps around the wheel! I still have scars on my thumb from that! __________________ my 2¢ - t.i.o.l.i. Bowen 1968 K20 fleet 1969 K10 swb fleet 1972 K10 Suburban 1972 C10 lwb step 1992 K1500 'burb 1995 K2500 'burb 1997 C1500 'burb 1999 K1500 2000 K1500 'burb Why do I own so many Suburbans?

07-22-2002, 11:24 AM	#6
mikej71 Unregistered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Houston, TX USA Posts: 538	I have it, and I hate it. I have a complete power setup ready to go in when I drop in the sb400. I'd put it in now, but I'm going to have to change all of the pulleys, etc., so I might as well wait. I had manual steering on the '67 I had in high school, and I had about a 12" foam wheel on it. I can't believe I actually drove that thing! I think power steering will give me a whole new outlook on my '71. __________________ 71 SWB Stepside SB400/TH350

07-22-2002, 10:28 AM	#3
JJR Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Leesburg, GA Posts: 746	It is not to bad but it is a two hand job so if you like to have a beverage in one hand most of the time while driving you will want power steering or a good cup holder.

07-22-2002, 11:31 AM	#7
CE20934 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Help! I'm in an office park with its own network of freeways! Posts: 470	I like manual steering. I have a wheel that's 1 1/2" smaller than the stock wheel, but it does the job. Steering effort really went away after I replaced both the upper & lower bearings in the column. Speed balls are handy for one-handed manual steering. I wish I could remember where I put mine after I was ordered to remove it. Good ol' Colorado State Patrol. __________________ '67 C20--427 tall deck/SM420, 4.10 HO52 (Michigan has not been kind to the Old Man) '95 Caprice--355 LT1/T56/3.42 8.5" 10-bolt (daily driver, almost 300k on the chassis) '07 Outback--wife's car. 125k & counting. No head gasket or transmission issues yet. fingers crossed Last edited by CE20934; 07-22-2002 at 12:39 PM.

07-22-2002, 11:56 AM	#8
Classic Heartbeat Project Junkie! Fishing Poor!! Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Olympia,Wa. 98512 Posts: 10,768	Both my 67 Panel and my 67 C-20 have manual steering. They both have the origanal steering wheels also. The Panel steers relativly easely and with less than half the effort as my C-20 though. The C-20 has taller tires, but the Panel has wider... They both will have power steering though when I am done with them. WES www.ClassicHeartbeat.com __________________ On-line catolog Classic Heartbeat Pickup Parts WEHEPP@comcast.net Call us Toll Free (888) 338-2502 Like Us on Facebook No appointment necessary. 72 BB Chevy Custom Deluxe / Custom Camper 67 I-6 (Soon to be 5.7 LS1) Panel 68 BB Chevy Short Bed 72 6.0 LQ9 Short Bed Chevy 4X4 Olympia's fastest growing truck parts supplier. Olympia's home for Wayward Chevys

07-22-2002, 11:57 AM	#9
Knoxville71shortbed Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Knoxville, TN, USA Posts: 56	I have manual steering on my '71 shortbed, and it really doesn't seem to be a problem. I drive it 100 miles a day, and I think the handling might even be a little more predictable than with power steering. I have a 15" Grant wheel, and haven't noticed it to be any harder to turn than the 17" original. The Grant wheel is thicker, which I think feels a lot better than the skinny stock wheel. I agree about the upper shaft bearing. I changed mine, when I converted to the new wheel, and it seemed to help a lot with the smoothness of turning the wheel. I also have 8" rims on the front, with fairly wide radial tires. I'm not saying that I enjoy parallel parking the thing, but I really haven't seen a reason to spend the bucks for power steering yet. And as a side benefit, my wife won't drive it because it doesn't have power steering!

07-22-2002, 04:18 PM	#10
woodrow59 OzarkHillbilly in Atlanta Join Date: May 2002 Location: Douglasville, Ga. Salem, Mo. Posts: 386	When I bought mine it had "power steering" ,,,,,,,,It had a power steering box that someone had cut the hoses and didn't plug them !!!!!!!! Talk about rough. Got a manual box and it made a he!! of a difference. Then replaced the "nascar slicks" (bald tires) and the shocks (the ones on there had to be the originals,,,,,when you compressed them, they stayed!!!) and it steers great now! __________________ 72 custom/10 LWB 68 Longhorn C20 Custom Camper (sold)

07-22-2002, 08:22 PM	#11
toolman70 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Levittown, Pa Posts: 18	I have manual steering and I kind of like muscling the truck around (strange huh)you also have to stay with a large wheel. I put in a grant wheel and stayed with the original size. Works and looks good. __________________ 1970 CST20

07-22-2002, 11:47 PM	#12
Super Chevy Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,025	I do and i have a 14" grant,its not too bad...

07-23-2002, 07:22 AM	#13
bobs409 1969 Custom 30 wrecker Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Pottsville, Pa Posts: 2,611	My '71 has manual with a Camaro style 4 spoke steering wheel. I recently put on some 10" wide 31" tires and I have no problems steering it around my yard. (not on the road yet) I think it turns easily. I like manual steering. Lets me know im driving a real truck! LOL (and the big 4 speed doesn't hurt either!) __________________ Bob 63 Impala 283/PG/3.36 (under restoration) 66 Impala 327/PG/3.36 66 Chevelle SS 409/M22/3.55 69 Chevelle 307/PG/3.08 (future restoration) 69 C10 short stepside 454/TH350/3.73 69 Custom 30 tow truck 350/4 spd/4.10 (resto done, CRUISIN TIME!) 71 Cheyenne 20 fleetside 350/4 spd/4.10 71 Chevelle 6/PG/3.08 72 Chevelle 454/M21/4.10

07-23-2002, 02:04 PM	#14
sewanhaka62 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: berwick,penn Posts: 98	hi i have a 67 c10 short with manual --it is no problem had a 69 long bed and put power steering in it to make parking easier--no problem on open road [NYC parking is rough] bob

07-23-2002, 03:08 PM	#15
okietruck Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Tulsa, OK, USA Posts: 117	I had manual steering on my 72. It was nearly impossible in a busy parking lot. I put power steering on in January and it was some of the smartest money I have spent (only about $50 at the salvage).



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