1969 gmc p10 step-van

[Mike Owens]

Hey there fellas. First time here. I'm the proud owner of a Gmc p10 step-van shorty. please help I'm trying to do a disc brake power steering 5 lug conversion Is this a deb chevy truck frame it has trailing arms and coils. Coils up front? Thanks guys ill post pics in a few minutes.

[Wrenchbender Ret]

The chassis parts are the same as any 1/2 ton except the steering gear & column.
Is your body aluminum or steel?

[Mike Owens]

Thanks for the info. We thought it was a short wheel base truck frame but weren't sure. It has a steel body. Steering gear meaning the steering box? Can I use stock column? Also I heard I can take everything off of 1973-1987 1/2 ton? I'm doing a five lug conversion and just wondering what rear end will bolt in with a 5 lug. We're doing a full custom w/candy paint and white walls, and of coarse flame throwers, for the kids. Thanks again guys. There's so much good info. I'm definitely a fan.

[PanelDeland]

Search Disc brakes and you'll find tons of info on the options to do later disc and PS with the later parts.The five lug rear is easiest to accomplish if you can find a 71-72 rear end in the right ratio.Anything else will probably need new spring perches welded on.The 71-72 rear is also wider to help make up the difference in track width from disc conversion.
The PS steering box on the 68-72 trucks is a 4 1/2 turns LTL(lock to lock) while the later is 3 1/2 turns LTL.I prefer the feel of the later box,it seems to have better feedback and a stiffer feel than the earlier mushy 68-72 box.
Get all the PS Pulleys from whatever donor.PS pump brackets are engine specific.The 250 brackets only fit the 250 and integrated head brackets are different from reg head ones.Get all pulleys and brackets from the same donor.292 are by themselves and SBC come in short and long water pump versions.BB ones are pricey.Make sure you get each and every bracket,pulley and all hardware from the donor,it's a real pain to match sets up if you don't. This is especially true of the 250 brackets.A search will turn up more info on this also.It's not that I'm too lazy to answer it's just that there is a ton of stuff that has already been done on these swaps and you'll get more info from the collective than I can remember.

[special-K]

Welcome! Can't wait to see how yours turns out. Everything the young man ahead of me said is right on. You have an easy way to go with your ValueVan (that's what GMC calls them). I'd like to see what it looks like now.

[Mike Owens]

Can any one give me any help on putting disc brakes on the rear I just bought 1972 rear end already geared what stuff can I swap on to the rear to make it disc with out killing the wallet. And thanks again for all the help guys. your grrrrrreat!! Like Tony the Tiger

[PanelDeland]

I wouldn't worry about disc on the rear.Kind of overkill for these trucks since you wont be doing any "Canyon Carving" with it.There are kits but your wallet will hurt.Some have done it with other donor parts and you can do a search to see what comes up and decide from there.The booster off of any 67-72 should be fine.IIRC there are 2 different ones and they require you to use the MC that is the same brand as the booster.There is also a dual diaphragm booster that is a smaller diameter and will give you more room for taller valve covers or air filter if you're running a 6 cyl.Get the booster from the brackets out and the rod from the pedal arm since PB ones are different from Manual brakes.I'm just guessing on that since yours is a P series.Get the proportioning valve also since the one on a drum drum truck is just a distribution block and doesn't address the differences in the disc front.If you go to disc rears,you'll need to read what those who have done it have used and determine what you want to make work.If you can get the booster stuff from the rear end donor that would probably work if the P series is compatible.Hope this helps.
Now since I haven't seen it yet "This thread is worthless withot pics"!!!

Let us know what you find on these mods since few do P series and the more info we can get on them the more hep we can be.Since Wrenchbender posted that the steerng boxes are different,the info I sent on PS boxes may not work for you.Maybe you can find an old retired Wrenchbender that knows what works.

[C0UCH]

Yes please, lets see some pics!

[Tinkermc]

love 2 see it and disc on the rear are not needed but it's your truck and if that's what you want,you should get them.

[70cst]

Hey Mike Owens ...

to the forums and from Ohio.

I have to say it ...

[Scottk1963]

Hello. I am trying to convert a 1970 P10 Ice Cream truck to Power Steering. I was wondering how you were handling the joints between the column an the Power Steering Gearbox. The spline on the gearbox is larger and is 2 inches closer to the steering column. The upper U-joint is attached at the bottom of the steering column an there is no room to move it up because of the shift linkage for the transmission. The 2" from the mounting lug to the end of the shaft goes to 4" on the Power Steering gear.

Curious as to what you are doing.

[jjmatacia@aol.com]

Flaming River has the coupling to make the transition to a power steering gear box if you need more info you can call me at 817-932-6658. I converted my 1968 P-10 to power steering

[Mike Owens]

8 gallons of stripper! And not the ones that spin a pole either. Lol

[Mike Owens]

Lotta scrapping

[P10-001]

I also have been doing lots of paint removal!