AD power steering or IFS

[ADBob]

Another question related to putting a SBC and 700-R4 in my 1950 1/2 ton. I have read of problems using the typical power steering kit like CPP sells that mounts a newer box to the frame inside the wheelwell for these trucks. The stock box won't fit with a SBC. Is there a power steering kit that works well with the straight axle or should I just spend the extra to go IFS? Looking for a mild drop, maybe 3 inches or so from stock. Looking at the build threads I know these are really basic questions for this group but this is my first try at a truck this old and I want to do it right the first time.
Thanks,
Bob

[stevehsd]

I say go with the MII and power steering!

[pgf545]

Bob, I would go with the MII and rack also. It is an easy swap. I did the one on my dad's truck and there are several others on here doing them also.

Bernie

[robin58]

I have a SBC, dropped axle and monoleafs and run an early 80's Saginaw P/S box in my 53 3100. I fabbed up my own mount but don't have any clearance issues. Nothing against a MII but I sure wouldn't spend $1,700 just because I didn't want to make an easily available cheap p/s box you can find at any junkyard work. Of course it really boils down to what you are looking to do and how much you want to spend. If you add up dropping an axle (or a new dropped axle), converting to disc brakes, upgrading the tierods, etc etc all up you get close to the cost of a MII anyways. The advantage is though you can do it over time and upgrade when cashflow allows. Personally I like the look of a nice dropped axle but obviously it won't handle like something with a more modern suspension on it.

There is a rack+pinion setup for a straight axle too: nolimit.net makes one but it's pricy.

[ADBob]

Thanks. The problems I've heard with adapting power steering to the straight axle are bump steer, rubbing on right turns and the frame flexing too much. Sounds like you don't have any of them.

[robin58]

You can avoid the bumpsteer issues by making sure the pitman arm and draglink are all set up right. If at stock height, what CPP provides works well. If lowered, it'll take some thinking and adjusting but when you look at how it's all meant to work, it becomes pretty apparent what you need to do. I had to put my p/s box higher and I set it forward more making sure the draglink was as close to parallel to the leafsprings as possible (pretty close to horizontal on mine with monoleafs). Just spend some time visualizing what moves when the front wheels hit an obstruction/pothole/bump.

[55dude]

use a toyota 4x4 box from 79'-85', the ones with a solid front axle. thats what is going on my 54' burb. i have seen the one using a chevy truck box on the outside of the frame and they do rub, junk in my opinion.

[drummin89]

are you talking about these, im thinking of doing this too, these are both off a 83

[55dude]

Originally Posted by drummin89

are you talking about these, im thinking of doing this too, these are both off a 83

that is the box you want, the 4x4 79-85!

[ADBob]

Prefer to stay with the straight axle for this project. Will just need to make the steering work if I go with a SBC. The other option is the 261 / T-5 combo I have in my garage and use the stock manual steering. Don't know if I would like the 261 for power and reliability though.
Bob