Power steering conversion - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

KEN72gmc · 07-19-2005, 12:51 AM

I want to convert a 72 gmc from manual to power steering. What parts do I need? I have a 68 with power steering as a donor. Any help appreciated.

ckhd · 07-19-2005, 10:44 AM

The '68 stuff is different than the '72 stuff. The '68 should have a ram connected to the tie rod with a valve on the steering box. '72 style is all integrated into the steering gear.

Send some pics of that '68 power steering setup while it's still on the pickup. I have only seen drawings, or pics of everything disconnected already.

ckhd · 07-19-2005, 10:46 AM

Oh, to do a conversion, you will need a PS pump, brackets to mount to your engine, hoses, steering gear and a pitman arm.

I hear that a '73 - ?? steering gear will work on a '69-'72. I used a '74 Blazer gear, but that was between two four wheel drives.

shifty · 07-19-2005, 11:42 AM

And rag joint also?

jimmydean · 07-19-2005, 11:56 AM

According to this, the 69-87 stuff will work with little or no mods. You might need to look at pullies, but other than that its straight forward. I am looking to do my '69 next weekend.

http://www.classicperform.com/tech_a...steer-this.htm

shifty · 07-19-2005, 01:41 PM

I just bought a full setup from someone here at the forum (used). I might actually be turning around and getting rid of half of it in the next month or two. Not sure just yet.

71meangreenc10 · 07-19-2005, 05:14 PM

I used a 73 gear and a 71 pump with lines, also got the rag joint and d shaft up to the upper coloumn, Ive heard you dont need to change the d shaft but i did. also get a pitman arm for the gear. I compared both the 73 and the 71 arms and they looked identical only difference was price both fit my center link. Someone else may want to jump on that subject. Also may want to get your caster or camber checked. It works one of these ways, manual steering has more positive or negative caster/camber than power steering. Or vise versa, youll know it when youve changed the box and see how quick the truck changes lanes at high speeds.

Smitty

bagged91 · 07-19-2005, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ckhd

The '68 stuff is different than the '72 stuff. The '68 should have a ram connected to the tie rod with a valve on the steering box. '72 style is all integrated into the steering gear.

Send some pics of that '68 power steering setup while it's still on the pickup. I have only seen drawings, or pics of everything disconnected already.

Ken is my neighbor. The frame could possibly be a 70' frame. I believe it is identical to the setups on my 71 & my 72's. I don't remember seeing a ram or anything but I will get a pic of it up tommorrow or Thursday. I'm pretty sure it should bolt right up but I wasn't sure if he would be able to use the "70" pitman arm or if he would need to buy a new one or if he had to use the M/S pitman arm, ect...

Thanks for helpin' him guys...

L8R - Joe

cowboy33713 · 07-20-2005, 03:50 AM

Howdy:
I have power steering in my '67 C10 SWB; have seen in a catalog (do not recall which, or maybe it was an interchange manual) that two different types where out in '67-68 ; the "ram" type and the "integrated" type (with the hydraulic lines to the steering box, instead of a hydraulic ram in the steering linkage). Mine has the integrated type, probably a conversion from a '68-'69 donor truck ,though the steering box has developed a leak. Later trucks had different pumps and steering boxes.
cowboy33713

KEN72gmc · 07-20-2005, 10:54 PM

thanks for all the help

**clay68c10** · 07-20-2005, 11:10 PM

Your 68 stuff might work if it doesn't have the ram. My 68 has the normal power steering box and pump. I converted my previous 68 to power and used the early 70's square body steering box (way easier to find in the boneyard). 73 and up power pitman arms have the same spline and taper as 68-72 but may look different.

longhorn71 · 07-21-2005, 01:07 AM

I used 84 chev half ton box and pump in my 72 one ton.It all bolted up but i needed the water pump(long neck from 84)and all pulleys and had to move the alternator too.If you can find a 69-72 pump and pulleys you can stay with the short water pump.but some of the newer boxs run metric fittings on them

07-19-2005, 12:51 AM	#1
KEN72gmc Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 14	Power steering conversion I want to convert a 72 gmc from manual to power steering. What parts do I need? I have a 68 with power steering as a donor. Any help appreciated.

07-19-2005, 10:44 AM	#2
ckhd Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: St. Johns, Arizona Posts: 2,660	The '68 stuff is different than the '72 stuff. The '68 should have a ram connected to the tie rod with a valve on the steering box. '72 style is all integrated into the steering gear. Send some pics of that '68 power steering setup while it's still on the pickup. I have only seen drawings, or pics of everything disconnected already. __________________ 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?

07-19-2005, 10:46 AM	#3
ckhd Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: St. Johns, Arizona Posts: 2,660	Oh, to do a conversion, you will need a PS pump, brackets to mount to your engine, hoses, steering gear and a pitman arm. I hear that a '73 - ?? steering gear will work on a '69-'72. I used a '74 Blazer gear, but that was between two four wheel drives. __________________ 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?

07-19-2005, 11:42 AM	#4
shifty Questionable Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 13,376	And rag joint also? __________________ If I've got anything up for grabs, it'll be here: 7-hole gauge cluster for a 67-72 p/u FREE (link) I can't check the forum daily. If I don't reply to you within 24 hours, drop me a PM! I'm (hopefully) still alive and will reply faster to a PM.

07-19-2005, 01:41 PM	#6
shifty Questionable Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 13,376	I just bought a full setup from someone here at the forum (used). I might actually be turning around and getting rid of half of it in the next month or two. Not sure just yet. __________________ If I've got anything up for grabs, it'll be here: 7-hole gauge cluster for a 67-72 p/u FREE (link) I can't check the forum daily. If I don't reply to you within 24 hours, drop me a PM! I'm (hopefully) still alive and will reply faster to a PM.

07-19-2005, 11:56 AM	#5
jimmydean Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Beaverton, OR Posts: 3,728	According to this, the 69-87 stuff will work with little or no mods. You might need to look at pullies, but other than that its straight forward. I am looking to do my '69 next weekend. http://www.classicperform.com/tech_a...steer-this.htm

07-19-2005, 05:14 PM	#7
71meangreenc10 Its a Truck Thing...... Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sierra Vista, Arizona Posts: 3,179	I used a 73 gear and a 71 pump with lines, also got the rag joint and d shaft up to the upper coloumn, Ive heard you dont need to change the d shaft but i did. also get a pitman arm for the gear. I compared both the 73 and the 71 arms and they looked identical only difference was price both fit my center link. Someone else may want to jump on that subject. Also may want to get your caster or camber checked. It works one of these ways, manual steering has more positive or negative caster/camber than power steering. Or vise versa, youll know it when youve changed the box and see how quick the truck changes lanes at high speeds. Smitty __________________ 71 C10 283/3SPD Full Resto 71 GMC 1500 Sierra Grande http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=518599 70 C10 Suburban Former military GSA truck. 72 Chevy Blazer 4X4, Sloppy Jo, Mountain Climber. Wife says no more trucks. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=707378 72 GMC 1 Ton Motor Home, wife said no more trucks until she saw this one. Gen 3 6.0/4L80E 4.10 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=761110 68 GMC Suburban was 3/4 ton, now 1/2.Wife shook her head 71 C30 Wrecker 71 C20 Scott-Bilt As weird as it gets..BB Cheyenne AC Truck 68 GMC Long Stepside. They keep following me home 69 C30 Former Motor Home, Flat Bed time 70 G20 Red-E-Kamp Conversion "I'm your Boogy Van"

07-20-2005, 03:50 AM	#9
cowboy33713 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: metro Phoenix, AZ Posts: 241	Howdy: I have power steering in my '67 C10 SWB; have seen in a catalog (do not recall which, or maybe it was an interchange manual) that two different types where out in '67-68 ; the "ram" type and the "integrated" type (with the hydraulic lines to the steering box, instead of a hydraulic ram in the steering linkage). Mine has the integrated type, probably a conversion from a '68-'69 donor truck ,though the steering box has developed a leak. Later trucks had different pumps and steering boxes. cowboy33713

07-20-2005, 10:54 PM	#10
KEN72gmc Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 14	thanks for all the help

07-20-2005, 11:10 PM	#11
clay68c10 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Centennial, CO Posts: 2,979	Your 68 stuff might work if it doesn't have the ram. My 68 has the normal power steering box and pump. I converted my previous 68 to power and used the early 70's square body steering box (way easier to find in the boneyard). 73 and up power pitman arms have the same spline and taper as 68-72 but may look different. __________________ ClusterTruck: 68 C10 Bought in 89, wrecked in 03. Slow low $ rebuild started '17. 6.0 & TKO http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=788602 93 K1500 Short Step, 350, NV4500, EBL flash ECU. Vortec heads & roller cam someday... 05 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. 3” lift & 6-speed 02 E320 the insurance total “free car” 13 Tahoe LTZ

07-21-2005, 01:07 AM	#12
longhorn71 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: CANADA Posts: 1,681	I used 84 chev half ton box and pump in my 72 one ton.It all bolted up but i needed the water pump(long neck from 84)and all pulleys and had to move the alternator too.If you can find a 69-72 pump and pulleys you can stay with the short water pump.but some of the newer boxs run metric fittings on them



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