1956 Chevy Pick up NAPCO 4X4 Steering Column

[dlarson1956]

Hello everyone,
I am new to the restoration gig and I am now obsessed!!!! There is so much to learn and the more I read the more confused I get, HAHAHHA. My question is, I need to buy a new steering Column for my 1956 Chevy truck, I need to know what steering column would fit the best with little modifications. It does not have the original steering box. The steering box has like a Flat (not rounded ) knuckle fitting that needs to hook up to the new column. What year and length column would work the best? When I bought the truck it came with the original Steering Column and steering box in the bed (available if anyone wants to buy it). I would like a tilt steering column for a auto transmission.
This is my first restoration, so I have a lot to learn, But I am having fun!

Any help would be appreciated!
I have a contact for a rebuilt steering column, he just need to know size etc.

Thanks for your help
David

[OrrieG]

Post a pic of what you are trying to connect too. Original NAPCO??

[1774btcrew]

David, this is Jeff you spoke to on the phone last night. Anything I have is way too long for your application. Glad you got registered on here. The members won't steer you wrong. I would suggest just buying an Ididit. They will look right and bolt in correctly.

[OrrieG]

Still need a pic, I have a couple of suggestions, but don't want to steer you the wrong way.

[Highsider]

"steer"..

[1project2many]

Originally Posted by Highsider

"steer"..

Thank you!

Is this the type of coupler you're describing?


This is a very common coupler in the automotive industry although it does not allow large steering shaft angles like a U-joint. If it's a fairly straight shot from steering box to cab then this joint should be sufficient.

What is the length from the steering coupler to the approximate steering wheel position?

[dlarson1956]

Hope this picture helps. David

[dlarson1956]

Here is a picture of my new project, (not the best Picture)... It appears that the measurement from the coupler to the base of the steering wheel measures approx. 29 inches

[OrrieG]

That is what is called a Double D shaft, the connection is usually made on the other side of the fire wall because the bottom of the column shaft mounts to the floor. What is there? looks like maybe a later model box mounted in the original stock location, post a pic of that. If so and the alignment is good you can cut down the shaft and get an adaptor for the DD to spline on the steering shaft, if there is enough room for the universals to work. Got half the puzzle solved...

[dlarson1956]

Here is what the base of the old steering column looked like before I removed it... Pretty rough shape and not very safe!

[tmoble]

DLarson,

Can you post a pic of steering box that's currently mounted on your truck? We could help better if we know what you have there.

BTW, I'm in GLendale also, near 59th Av and the 101. Where are you? I'd be willing to stop by and take a look.

[_Ogre]

texas?



or midwest?

[1project2many]

My buddy tried to use Midwest Steering in his truck but it never quite handled right. I told him he should get some 5" diesel stacks for counterweight. I wish we'd thought of Texas Steer.

[OrrieG]

Ogre, I do not see conclusive proof those are steers....you might be posting more bull >8^))

[mr48chev]

Ah, me thinks you read him pretty well Orrie.

On the rest of that truck I just hope for David's sake it isn't as cobbled together as that steering column was.

David as it stands we have no idea of what box you have or what mods have been done on the chassis or if they are even safe for you to be able to drive. I'm not knocking the truck by any means but I happen to live in an area with a high concentration of off road 4X4 guys and see a lot of crudely done in the back yard 4X4 conversions that are unsafe up in the woods let alone on the road.

I was always under the impression that the Napco swaps used the stock steering box and column. Did perhaps the guy who put that truck together decide to cut the stock column off and put his "updated" column in leaving the stock box? or have they put in a different box?

[dlarson1956]

Hey Guys,
I just came back into town yesterday, I went to San Diego for a couple of days. I stopped by So Cal in Phoenix (truck restoration auto parts) They think I should get the IDIDIT steering Column for like 700.00+ dollars but I still think I can get something cheaper and pre fab it to work. I know Jeff has some rebuilt columns, but I guess I am stilling trying to figure out what I don't know, HAHHA...I live at 59th ave and Sweetwater just down the street from you if you are willing to come over and give me some pointers, I would really appreciate it!!! Sounds like a good Time, always willing to learn...David...623-512-9545 call me anytime. 5927 West Pershing Ave, Glendale Az

[G&R's57GMC]

I don't think you have a NAPCO .

From your picture it looks like you have a late model front axle perhaps from a '73-'87 that was grafted in. The steering box is obviously from some thing else.

You will need to start at the steering box and come up with a rag joint (like the one pictured above) and a steering column with a floor mount and a dash mount.

With the seat in the correct driving position for you sit in it and hold the steering wheel you plan to use in the location that is most comfortable and have someone measure from the wheel to the rag joint. This will give you the overall length of the steering column.

Next you will need to know how long the column jacket needs to be .

If you go to the Flaming River or Ididit web sites and they have a measuring guide that you can use to determine what column you need.

BTW check out Speedway for the column after you figure out what you need that have some good prices on them.

Here is my genuine NAPCO

[mvitale27]

We are all very interested to see your steering box/linkage setup. Please post a picture

[dlarson1956]

Here it a pic of the Steering box that my truck has on it.....Here is also a pic of the front Axel it has NAPCO printed on the Axel...Thanks for your help....David

[dlarson1956]

Here they are.

[dlarson1956]

Napco axel

[mvitale27]

That looks like an original manual steering box and the original column was cut out. Do you have a picture of how your pitman arm connects to your steering arm on the axle?

[OrrieG]

Looks like the stock box that had been modified to use the DD connector to the column. When I converted to 4wd in 85 I used the stock box. It had 200K on it and lasted another 80K or so before it ran out of adjustment. This time around I converted to a 3/4 ton power steering box to match the 74 K10 axle. If I was doing it now I would look at the CCP system that uses the newer Toyota 4wd power steering style box in the stock location. That with a new aftermarket column should work with a close coupled U joint.

[mvitale27]

Originally Posted by OrrieG

Looks like the stock box that had been modified to use the DD connector to the column. When I converted to 4wd in 85 I used the stock box. It had 200K on it and lasted another 80K or so before it ran out of adjustment. This time around I converted to a 3/4 ton power steering box to match the 74 K10 axle. If I was doing it now I would look at the CCP system that uses the newer Toyota 4wd power steering style box in the stock location. That with a new aftermarket column should work with a close coupled U joint.

Orrie, do you happen to have pictures of when you had the stock steering box and the K10 front axle? I have a similar axle and I am planning on using the CCP box but the pitman/draglink/steering arm geometry looks way off. It also looks like it will interfere with the shock mount. I think we talked about this before...

[OrrieG]

No, the first part of this build which was documentation and tear down is on an old VCR tape that I have not been able to figure out how to screen capture. I can tell you that an early 80's 1 ton van tie rod end had the thread pattern to mate to the 74 drag link and cone size for the stock box. The drag link was close enough to level that I did not have to modify the arm on the axle and never had any bump steer or wandering issues. I had to relocate the shock mount to in front of the axle. I think the CCP kit may mount the box a little higher. There are aftermarket companies that make offset arms for the axle for lifted trucks. The guys in the 4x4 board on here can probably give you some direction.