67 Chevy 4wd axle steering arm question

[gregbr]

I was recently comparing the turning radius of my 67 shortbed 4wd to my son's 84 shortbed 4wd, the 84 has a much smaller turning radius. Checked dimensions on the axle steering arms and think that's the difference. The 84 arm is about 2 inches shorter (closer to the tire), which seems to make that one turn further at the tire. Is there a shorter than factory steering arm for the 67 4wd (different than 68-72 arms) so I can keep the original axle, or is there a SAFE way to shorten & weld the factory 67 arm I have.

If I'm off on my thinking here, let me know, I like the tighter turning radius.

BTW, I recently added power steering to the 67 using a box from a mid 70's 4wd and used a metal plate with spacers (approx 1/2" thick at the bolts) so the box would fit on the flat frame. With a little adjusting got the box, tires & steering wheel centered up good. The box I used is a 4 1/2 turn box, while the 84 has the 3 1/4 turn box, but that should be just more turning of the steering wheel for the same amount at the tire. Will look for a 3 1/4 turn box to install soon.

[gregbr]

Thanks for any help/info. Greg

[vectorit]

Is the '67 still running with the OE closed knuckle axle?

[special-K]

I think why Vectorit is asking is the closed knuckles don't turn as tight as open knuckles (pre-70). You should have the same steering arm as through '69,right? Without looking at it,I'm wondering how you used a steering box that would have been from an open knuckle that had a different steering arm. Is there way to use the later steering arm & drag link? This is territory unknown for me,never needed to try. The voxes went to less turns sometime after '75 I believe.Not long after that (maybe '80?) they used different hose fittings and you'll need to change the fittings to later on your pump if you get the later box.

[gregbr]

Yes, still has the original 67 closed knuckle axle. Did not think of the limited turning ability of that axle, will check that this weekend. The 67 4wd with closed knuckle axle uses a different steering arm on the axle than the 68-72. It is a straight arm that runs along the top of the axle, not a C shaped one like the 68 up. On the steering linkage from box to axle steering arm, I used one from a 75 or so, but you have to change one of the ball joints on it to a shorter one to allow it to line up with the 67 arm & box. Learned that trick on here, would have to search for the thread. The new ball joint can be obtained from the local parts store.

Thanks for the details on what year the box changed. Will start looking for one, maybe an axle too. Not keen on welding the arm.

[domeier]

I always thought the 4x4 factory turning radius was pretty decent? Lock up the rears with the e-brake, and it only gets better... I'm pretty sure there aren't any short Pittman arms you can buy, but my nephew cut and double butt-welded one on his 2WD truck. It came out real nice, but I don't think I'd want to do that for myself. If it ever came apart and you ran over some kid on the sidewalk, it'd be a little hard to explain.

My "other" car is a 94 Nissan Maxima, and my truck will turn circles inside of it. You have to think twice before making any u-turns in that dang Nissan, it takes a lot of road to get turned around.

[Nick Goldsmith]

Greg. I am in the process of converting my 67 k20 to power steering. I have the steering gear (74) mounted, shimmed and lined up good with the steering collum but I have that straight steering arm not the curved one. pretty sure that there is no way my drag link is going to adjust short enough? What is the trick? thanks.
Nick

[fp1967]

The steering arms on the 69's with power steering and a closed knuckle frontend are shorter than the 67 arm with manual steering. This could be part of your turning radius issue, the other is that I don't think a closed knuckle frontend will turn as sharp as an open knuckle frontend. It has been awhile since I've had a closed knuckle frontend, but I'm pretty sure they have some bolts that act as stops, so that it only turns so far. See if it is touching the stops or not. If it isn't, then it is because of the longer arm. My first truck back in 84 was a 67 K10 that had been converted to power steering by the PO, I changed to the shorter arm after I got it.

[Nick Goldsmith]

where can i find a shorter steering arm?

[fp1967]

I don't know, I hate to say this, but I sent the last one that I had off to the crusher in 2005. Around here, there was just no demand at all for those kind of parts.