Frame damage at steering box

[kenny_strong]

I have a 66 GMC 4x4 that has a power steering box off of a 1978 chevy 3/4 ton donor truck. My problem is the box has 2 broken bolts and a large clamp the prevous owner installed to hold the box to the frame. They welded a small plate on the top and inside of the frame and one of the bolt holes has a stud welded to the frame.

I was thinking about having a plate welded to the outside of the frame that covers about 2 feet of frame. Thoughts?


What is the best way to repair the damaged frame and mount the box so it will be safely attached?

Thank you.

[onlyifihadachevy]

first you should straighten the frame if bent,then ceck for cracks weld them up grind the welds down, yea that will take the welds strength away. THen add the piece as you said, its common with the square bodys. OR box the frme, and every few months check if your steering box it loose what causes the dmage. AND get new bolts. ANd pic of said damage would help.

[Burt4x4]

In the pic above you can see a plate parallel with the frame, that was factory with my 72K5. I added the crossbar and \ / gussets for additional stregth due to my trail abbuse and heavey ass wheels/tires.
Stop the frame flex and you stop the cracks

[Eturnit3]

nice set up burt

[onlyifihadachevy]

burt we should go wheeling in a few months. WHen my trucks done.

[Burt4x4]

Highjack on/
Yes we should. I don't have tons of free time but something like Hollister Hills is inbetween us and close enough to pull off a day trip. just finding the time, keep me posted on your build.
Highjack /off

With 37"tire and heavy H1DblBL wheels makes for a very heavy wheel/tirecombo and without bracing the front frame rails and frrame who knows howlong it would be before it ripps off...
ORD has a brace they sell but duno if it works for the older frames?

[padresag]

Originally Posted by kenny_strong

I have a 66 GMC 4x4 that has a power steering box off of a 1978 chevy 3/4 ton donor truck. My problem is the box has 2 broken bolts and a large clamp the prevous owner installed to hold the box to the frame. They welded a small plate on the top and inside of the frame and one of the bolt holes has a stud welded to the frame.

I was thinking about having a plate welded to the outside of the frame that covers about 2 feet of frame. Thoughts?


What is the best way to repair the damaged frame and mount the box so it will be safely attached?

Thank you.

is it a 4 x 4 strg box or a 2wheel with crossover strg. what do you have between the box and the frame to space it out
ron

[padresag]

Originally Posted by Burt4x4

In the pic above you can see a plate parallel with the frame, that was factory with my 72K5. I added the crossbar and \ / gussets for additional stregth due to my trail abbuse and heavey ass wheels/tires.
Stop the frame flex and you stop the cracks

a bit of difference between a 66 and 72 in that the 72 has better support in that area with the motor mount crossmember being in that area . 66 only had the rad support crossmember and the bellhousing crossmember so there is a lot more are for flex in a 66 and a lot of those installations were put in with just spacers between the box and the frame at the mounting holes and that doesn't give any added support to the frame. it does need a plate similiar to the rez setup and another plate inside the frame wont hurt either. I did also put a 67 m/mount crossmember in my 64. big wide front tires are also a detriment for the strg
ron

[kenny_strong]

Originally Posted by padresag

is it a 4 x 4 strg box or a 2wheel with crossover strg. what do you have between the box and the frame to space it out
ron

It is a 4x4 box but part of the problem is there are no spacers, the PO welded a stud to the frame, patched the back side then bolted it up. I think when they saw the box moving they added the home made clamp with all thread.

Do they make a replacement patch panel for the 73-87 that I can weld to my 66 so the box dosent need spacers??


Thanks for all the help.

[padresag]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=351468
this is an example of a mounting plate for a 2whl dr. I don't know why they don't work for a 4 x 4 .I made my own and mine was thicker plate and also used one inside as my frame was repaired a few times.
you mean that there are no spacers at all between the mounting lugs and the frame?. The mounting lugs area is the area to be supported to the frame, the rest of it should clear
ron

[kenny_strong]

After the temp and humidity went down some this evening I pulled the steering box off to see exactly how bad it was and I am glad I did. The frame is not as bad as I thought but the box is trash. 2 of 4 holes are stripped and backed up with nuts. The front-top is stripped and no room for a nut and the 4th is cracked. I think most of the damage was from the box being bolted to the frame with no spacers. I guess its off to the junk yard or parts store monday.

[onlyifihadachevy]

i looked at the pic and it didn't look as if their should of been much damage, but i would look if its bent if the strap was the only thing holding it, but the box i would get a new one, because the box from the junk yard coud have bad seals or the classic chevy steering box sound. Mines makes it at full crank both ways.