Manual to Power Steering Swap

[semperfidoordie]

So I searched the threads and wasn't able to find a good walkthrough of the needed parts and assembly for switching my 2wd 69 C-20 to power steering. Any help?

[msgross]

well,

I know you need a PS pump and bracket with pulley's(I have one for sale for a SBC), hoses at NAPA
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=295740

and a 2WD PS box, many years fit... Not sure about the pitman arm connection though. Rag joints should still work, try to get the one attached to your new PS box...double crank pulley if you don't have one.

[panhandler62]

You may need some hoses and a pulley or two also.. detail stuff.

[semperfidoordie]

msgross that's pretty nice...I'm thinking about it what would shipping be to 91942? I am definitely interested just want to know if it's really that easy to hook up...just bolt in, add fluid and pullies?

[msgross]

I would research how the tie rod attaches to the newer box, other than that I don't think it's that hard to get it converted.

I have my own fedex account so shipping would be decent..($15-$20) i'll also be in Long Beach next week but don't think that it would go over to well in my suitcase!

I have the bracket and a pump with pulley (unknown condition of pump) steering boxes are heavy so you might want to look local ($50-$100) and correct hoses at NAPA $20 or so.

[semperfidoordie]

awesome thanks for the info Mike. I'll look local now that I have an idea of what I'll need. Just wish there was someone out there who'd done it already haha

[msgross]

I'm sure there is... does your frame have the "dimples" where the current box bolts too? That's the only issue that I have heard of besides the steering column connecting to the box. Get the rag joint for your new box because they changed spline counts at some point.

Make me an offer on the parts I have, I need to get rid of them anyway...

[semperfidoordie]

Sounds good man. I'll look at the truck and see if it has the dimples. i'd read that myself as well. When I get around to that I'll PM you an offer. Thanks

[msgross]

no problem... it's not going anywhere so far...

good luck

[desertPOS]

When I sold you the truck, it HAD power steering. What'd you do with it

You may notice the ressy sitting on the lower drive side of the engine.

[semperfidoordie]

Originally Posted by desertPOS

When I sold you the truck, it HAD power steering. What'd you do with it

You may notice the ressy sitting on the lower drive side of the engine.

hahaha oh i'll have to look closer...my bad man I haven't had a lot of time to look at it real good haha I just know turning it is a muscle building job haha...just didn't remember the 72 being that hard to turn...i'll check the power steering fluid wow I feel dumb thanks man

[desertPOS]

I don't have a clue why it's hard to turn, it always felt great to me (as in: sitting and not moving, it was pretty effortless to turn wheels lock to lock). You should probably check the fluid. The hi-pressure and return lines had duct tape around them since I bought the truck and are a little moist, but I never noticed it leaking fluid. Now that I think about it though, the resevoir cap's clearance with the alt bracket above it is too close to fully remove the cap. Either aftermarket ps pump or aftermarket alt bracket. I always figured when I needed to, I would clearance the alt bracket, but I never really needed to. Keep in mind, if the pump's running dry it's not good for it, but I would be surprised if it's dry and not making any kind of loud power-steering 'whine' noise. Normally you can tell if a pump is running low on fluid or if the return line is plugged because there is excessive noise when steering. Take a look athe frame rail of the driver side in front of the wheel well. That is the power steering box (connected to the rest of your linkage via pitman arm). One less thing to check off the list! I'd get what you have working though, it steers really well imo...

[desertPOS]

I'd also check all the steering joints to make sure they're not binding...

[semperfidoordie]

I was looking at that tonight and it steers great but yeah it looks a bit close to get the cap off. I'll work on that over the weekend and yeah I'll try adding fluid and see if that helps. Thanks man

[desertPOS]

Feel free to email me whenever you have questions. I like working on things, and got to know the truck pretty well during the *almost* year that I owned 'er. I'm all about solving problems and would be more than happy to give advice. I was planning on BUILDING that thing!! Oh well... Glad you bought her though, I'm sure you'll learn alot from the truck and know it inside and out before a year is up. Drive it until it turns to dust!

[semperfidoordie]

awesome thanks man. I'll drive her till she falls apart. I've been driving er about 3 times a week as of now. I think I'm just used to driving my little car and not used to the body building aspect of turning that bad boy at slow speeds in my small apartment parking lot is all. Well I got 3 of the HD wheels off an awesome board member and now I gotta pick up a fourth then decide which set of wheels I'm keeping on her and which I'm using for back up. Don't know if you've seen the build or not but she's come slow but steady haha. As money permits just picked up a new drivers side handle and a drivers side window crank just gotta find some time to put them on. Got the mirrors put on and some new lock button things...don't know what you call those things haha. Well good hearing from ya. And if you had any plans drawn up for the build send them my way