What Year Power Steering Gearboxes Will Work? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Bryan H · 06-03-2004, 05:10 PM

What year power steering gearboxes will work on our trucks? I wanted the later model with the quicker steering ratio and I didn't know what year Chevy went to metric lines.(73-8?) I was wondering before I hit the junkyards.

Thanks,
Bryan

tom hand · 06-03-2004, 05:58 PM

Anything thru 87 will work....the metric lines are no big deal....just change the fitting on the back of the pump

DR67 · 06-03-2004, 08:07 PM

Is there any advantage in going with a newer year box, rather than a rebuilt of the correct year? Are the ratios all about the same?

DR67

mooneyes · 06-03-2004, 09:01 PM

..i have an 80 on mine and didnt notice a difference

Pont · 06-03-2004, 09:05 PM

I believe 82 was the first year they used the metric / o-ring style fitting. Could be 81, I'm having a senior moment and can't remember exactly what year.

dinnut · 06-03-2004, 09:15 PM

ive read that the newer (73+) boxes were 1 less turn lock to lock. id really like to know. someone has to

jay-dawg · 06-03-2004, 09:36 PM

You also have to change the coupler on the column to fit the gear box. Someone told me they don't make 'em for original non-power columns anymore.

super-k · 06-03-2004, 09:39 PM

On 4WD,thru`75 is how GM has P/S box listed.That`s what I ordered.

neonlarry · 06-03-2004, 10:03 PM

Newer boxes 3½ turns lock to lock, ours 4½ turns lock to lock.

Bryan H · 06-03-2004, 10:36 PM

I'm talking about the gearbox and not the pump. Mines a 2wd and I'm going to run the 67-72 pump because I already have the brackets. I'm wondering about the gearbox itself. What years have the standard threads in the gearboxes to work with the older pump?

**Classic Heartbeat** · 06-03-2004, 10:59 PM

You can run one up to 81. The rag joint assembly will have to be changed though. The steering shafts coming out of the 73 and newer power or manual gear boxes are smaller in diameter. I found this out the hard way, but "Red Head" Power Steering gears straitened me out. I am a dealer for them as well as using their gears. I think that I can have custom ones made, but the cost is extra. The late model gears are a full turn faster as stated above. WES www.ClassicHeartbeat.com

Lobo'74 · 06-04-2004, 08:51 AM

PO put an '85 power steering box and pump on my '68. Wes, you say up through '81 is workable. Truck feels very touchy, especially above 45 or so. I thought it was because my frame hasn't been dimpled for the steering box. Is it possibly because it was an '85 box? What are the problems with using boxes post '81?

crazy longhorn · 06-04-2004, 09:52 AM

I have a 85 burb box on my longhorn, & it works fine.....the frame is dimpled on my 69 tho. The difference is the fittings on the hoses on the 80's metric boxes(otherwise they bolt up). It could be that your steering box is not centered , or in "nuetral position" when you are driving on the straight. I think it would be possible to center the box with the wheels straight, by readjusting the tierod ends on both sides. You may loose a little turn radius in 1 direction, but it shouldnt be enough to notice. crazyL

06-03-2004, 05:10 PM	#1
Bryan H Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Chesnee SC Posts: 254	What Year Power Steering Gearboxes Will Work? What year power steering gearboxes will work on our trucks? I wanted the later model with the quicker steering ratio and I didn't know what year Chevy went to metric lines.(73-8?) I was wondering before I hit the junkyards. Thanks, Bryan

06-03-2004, 05:58 PM	#2
tom hand CCRider Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Olive Branch,MS,USA Posts: 2,232	Anything thru 87 will work....the metric lines are no big deal....just change the fitting on the back of the pump __________________ 72 GMC Sierra SWB almost finished---- 84 Softail Olive Branch MS

06-03-2004, 08:07 PM	#3
DR67 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Knoxville, Tn. USA Posts: 205	Is there any advantage in going with a newer year box, rather than a rebuilt of the correct year? Are the ratios all about the same? DR67 __________________ Dave Knoxville,Tn.

06-03-2004, 09:01 PM	#4
mooneyes Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Slippery Rock PA USA Posts: 1,692	..i have an 80 on mine and didnt notice a difference __________________ Ken Lyons, Slippery rock pa 68 short step 327 t10 4 gear 72 2wd blazer project 70 lwb 305/700r driver 78 caprice project 02 cavalier D.D ( hate it!!)

06-03-2004, 09:05 PM	#5
Pont I need another Barley Pop Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Grants Pass, OR Posts: 1,629	I believe 82 was the first year they used the metric / o-ring style fitting. Could be 81, I'm having a senior moment and can't remember exactly what year. __________________ 67 Short Fleet 4x4 04 Honda CRF450R 89 Toyota 4-Runner 34 Ford 2 door sedan - Long term project ---------------------------------------------- There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness"

06-03-2004, 09:15 PM	#6
dinnut Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: missouri city, tx Posts: 4,486	ive read that the newer (73+) boxes were 1 less turn lock to lock. id really like to know. someone has to __________________ 70 longbed 496/th400/Ford 9"

06-03-2004, 09:36 PM	#7
jay-dawg chevelito Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Honolulu, HI USA Posts: 1,609	You also have to change the coupler on the column to fit the gear box. Someone told me they don't make 'em for original non-power columns anymore. __________________ New deadline...when my son can drive. Aloha from Honolulu, HI

06-03-2004, 09:39 PM	#8
super-k Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Mt.Airy,MD Posts: 123	On 4WD,thru`75 is how GM has P/S box listed.That`s what I ordered. __________________ 72CheyenneSuperK20CustomCamper350/TH350,A/C 72SierreGrandeK2500350/TH350,A/C 72CustomDeluxeK20CustomCamperSB400/4SPD.A/C 72CustomC10SWB,TH400,project

06-03-2004, 10:03 PM	#9
neonlarry Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Vacaville, CA Posts: 2,746	Newer boxes 3½ turns lock to lock, ours 4½ turns lock to lock. __________________ 70 C/10 Light Red 350/TH350, HEI, Duals w/40 series Flows, 91 seat, LED taillights 99 Pontiac S/C GTP, SLP Ram Air hood, GMPP Konis & springs 95 Neon ACR, MP PCM, AFX UDP, 3.0 CAI

06-03-2004, 10:36 PM	#10
Bryan H Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Chesnee SC Posts: 254	I'm talking about the gearbox and not the pump. Mines a 2wd and I'm going to run the 67-72 pump because I already have the brackets. I'm wondering about the gearbox itself. What years have the standard threads in the gearboxes to work with the older pump?

06-03-2004, 10:59 PM	#11
Classic Heartbeat Project Junkie! Fishing Poor!! Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Olympia,Wa. 98512 Posts: 10,768	You can run one up to 81. The rag joint assembly will have to be changed though. The steering shafts coming out of the 73 and newer power or manual gear boxes are smaller in diameter. I found this out the hard way, but "Red Head" Power Steering gears straitened me out. I am a dealer for them as well as using their gears. I think that I can have custom ones made, but the cost is extra. The late model gears are a full turn faster as stated above. 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

06-04-2004, 08:51 AM	#12
Lobo'74 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Charlottesville, VA Posts: 404	PO put an '85 power steering box and pump on my '68. Wes, you say up through '81 is workable. Truck feels very touchy, especially above 45 or so. I thought it was because my frame hasn't been dimpled for the steering box. Is it possibly because it was an '85 box? What are the problems with using boxes post '81? __________________ "Truck" '67 small window '79 350 .030 over, LT1 "clone"

06-04-2004, 09:52 AM	#13
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,402	I have a 85 burb box on my longhorn, & it works fine.....the frame is dimpled on my 69 tho. The difference is the fittings on the hoses on the 80's metric boxes(otherwise they bolt up). It could be that your steering box is not centered , or in "nuetral position" when you are driving on the straight. I think it would be possible to center the box with the wheels straight, by readjusting the tierod ends on both sides. You may loose a little turn radius in 1 direction, but it shouldnt be enough to notice. crazyL __________________ 69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears....



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