'72-73 P/U frame & steering

[Big Toy Rick]

Hi all.
I am working on a custom truck project (long story).
It is a heavy frame, 34" nominal (outside), conversion from leaf spring to IFS.
Does the '72-'73 Pickup have a nominal 34" frame (at front)?
I need a center steering link if yes.
Need to know what vehicle might have a 34" frame so I know what to look for at the yard or FLAPS.
Currently have a center link from a truck with narrower frame, center steering link is some 4-5" to short.
Thanks, Rick

[ChevLoRay]

First, from the Heart of Arkansas!

Is your chassis a '72 or a '73? They are not the same. Chassis and body changed for the '73 models, thru '87...i.e., Square Body.

There is a sub-forum that is specifically for suspension-related issues. Maybe you can ask your question on that one. I'll go there and see if I can find one...

You must have a 3/4-ton (20-series) truck chassis...

[Big Toy Rick]

Hey Ray,

In actual fact, this is a 1980 frame C-50 frame (I-beam front axle), now custom converted to IFS from a cube van. Cube van had a dually set-up, likely G-20/G-30 and will give me disc brakes up front.
The frame is 34" nominal width at the front. Cubevan had Saginaw steering box "upright" with two U-joints to the steering. With the steering box upright, the center steering link (holes) for the Pitman arm and Idller arm are on the same plane as the inner rod ends. Picture attached shows old cubevan Pitman arm (swing down) ball joint pointing to rear, inner tie rods pointing forward. (Not what I need)

Now, I custom converted to the Saginaw steering box (shown in first post) that angles back to my cab steering shaft in the traditional configuration. I pulled the new steering components from a G-20 Suburban with a narrower frame. Everything works except the length of the center steering link is too short by about 5". That one has the holes for the Pitman/Idlers rotated at 90 degrees to the holes for the inner rod ends. Then the pitman arm ball joint points down to rear at 45 degrees and inner tie rod ends point down to front at 45 degrees.

What I need to finish the steering is a center steering link from a Chevy truck with 34" frame. I thought I had read that the 72 or 73 trucks had 34" frames up front. Most of those puppies have been cycled out of the local bone yards, so I need to know what I am looking for. If one of these (or other) P/U trucks has a 34" frame, it should be correct.

Unless I can find a center link from a 34" truck, I may have to cut and splice weld to get the extra approx 5" I need. NOT the best solution! I am a good welder, but it may not be legal for highway. If it fails, my front wheels will be pointing east and west at the same time. YAAAAHOOOOO!

Thanks to anyone for some guidance or leads for what bone yard trucks to look for.

-Rick

[70cst]

First of all Big Toy Rick ...

to the forums and from Ohio.

Here is a bump for you.