Power steering convertion - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

8door · 06-24-2004, 10:29 PM

What is the difference between the early ram type power steering and later models and when did they change I think the later models did not have the ram assit on drag link. Is that right?.Can the earlies be converted . If so what are advantages.
The reason I ask is , as you can see I need to rebuild this one

it leaks a lot and the thing is as loose a goose (what ever that means).
My truck is 68 C10
Chris

**kwmech** · 06-24-2004, 10:51 PM

Bolt in a regular PS box and center link.

8door · 06-25-2004, 12:52 AM

kwmech. What years are the regular PS box off of?
Is the drag link the same?
Thanks

68speedalert · 06-25-2004, 11:41 AM

The ps box can come off any chevy 2wd truck, possibly up to & including '87. However, the later units have a different pressure hose fitting....it's metric and uses a o-ring seal. If you stick with '79 & older you should be alright. Find any center (drag link), either power or manual, from 67-70 years w/o disc brakes. They use a different diameter on the tie rod end studs w/ disc barkes (71-72). You'll have to find p/s pitman arm, they're not cheap new, are hard to find used.

Better yet, (unless you want it stock), find any 2wd '73 or later c-10 and get the ENTIRE front supension w/crossmember and put under your rig. I've not done it but have been told it is an easy swap. You'll have updated p/s and disc brakes to boot!

Steve

8door · 06-25-2004, 03:28 PM

Thanks Steve really appreciate the info.Any idea on costs of replacement pitman arm if I go that way?
I have gone to couple of my local parts stores and get " YA NO PROBLEM CAN GET YOU REBUILT UNITS NEXT DAY. Then I ask about the ram and I get the blank look.
"THE RAM OH YA.... WELL THAT YOU CAN PROBABLY FIND A GUY TO FIX IT"

68speedalert · 06-25-2004, 04:06 PM

We bought one from O-Riley's Autoparts(may not be in CA) for around 60 bucks, if I remember right. I say it's high because most pitman arms for other vehicles are about half that price.

You might take the truck or pics to a tractor repair shop. If you can find some guys that have been around awhile, they might be able to rebuild the ram.

Just a thought, you could just remove the p/s ram & pump, find a pitman arm & center link and just a manual steering, if funds are tight. manual pitman arms shouldn't be too hard to find.

Steve

8door · 06-25-2004, 04:54 PM

Steve: No O 'Riley parts in my area, but please read my post again today. I goofed and started a new thread instead of continuing this one.
Maybe I should just pull all the parts out of the truck, take measurements and start
digging.
Most places want a core anyway.Of courcs not the ram. I just talked with a buddy ( not a truck guy) but had his ram for a small Bobcat rebuilt for $40. I like that.
Money not the issue getting my truck in shape to drive is.
Thanks again. I'll post pics as I go may be someone else will benefit from this also.
Chris

06-24-2004, 10:29 PM	#1
8door Not too old to learn Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: SoCal Posts: 617	Power steering convertion What is the difference between the early ram type power steering and later models and when did they change I think the later models did not have the ram assit on drag link. Is that right?.Can the earlies be converted . If so what are advantages. The reason I ask is , as you can see I need to rebuild this one it leaks a lot and the thing is as loose a goose (what ever that means). My truck is 68 C10 Chris Attached Images __________________ 1968 C10 a way to long restoration.

06-25-2004, 12:52 AM	#3
8door Not too old to learn Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: SoCal Posts: 617	kwmech. What years are the regular PS box off of? Is the drag link the same? Thanks __________________ 1968 C10 a way to long restoration.

06-25-2004, 11:41 AM	#4
68speedalert Semi-Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Washington, MO Posts: 390	The ps box can come off any chevy 2wd truck, possibly up to & including '87. However, the later units have a different pressure hose fitting....it's metric and uses a o-ring seal. If you stick with '79 & older you should be alright. Find any center (drag link), either power or manual, from 67-70 years w/o disc brakes. They use a different diameter on the tie rod end studs w/ disc barkes (71-72). You'll have to find p/s pitman arm, they're not cheap new, are hard to find used. Better yet, (unless you want it stock), find any 2wd '73 or later c-10 and get the ENTIRE front supension w/crossmember and put under your rig. I've not done it but have been told it is an easy swap. You'll have updated p/s and disc brakes to boot! Steve __________________ '68 50th Anniversery LWB Custom Fleetside, '77 305 v-8, turbo 350, factory speed alert (still works), '71 drivetrain w/front discs. Some call it ugly yellow, others call it Ochre '83 Jeep CJ-7, <80,000 miles, original owner '04 Chevy Suburban, 4x4, 2500, 6.0 ltr, Predator Diablo programmer '95 GMC K1500 Extended cab

06-25-2004, 03:28 PM	#5
8door Not too old to learn Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: SoCal Posts: 617	Thanks Steve really appreciate the info.Any idea on costs of replacement pitman arm if I go that way? I have gone to couple of my local parts stores and get " YA NO PROBLEM CAN GET YOU REBUILT UNITS NEXT DAY. Then I ask about the ram and I get the blank look. "THE RAM OH YA.... WELL THAT YOU CAN PROBABLY FIND A GUY TO FIX IT" __________________ 1968 C10 a way to long restoration.

06-25-2004, 04:06 PM	#6
68speedalert Semi-Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Washington, MO Posts: 390	We bought one from O-Riley's Autoparts(may not be in CA) for around 60 bucks, if I remember right. I say it's high because most pitman arms for other vehicles are about half that price. You might take the truck or pics to a tractor repair shop. If you can find some guys that have been around awhile, they might be able to rebuild the ram. Just a thought, you could just remove the p/s ram & pump, find a pitman arm & center link and just a manual steering, if funds are tight. manual pitman arms shouldn't be too hard to find. Steve __________________ '68 50th Anniversery LWB Custom Fleetside, '77 305 v-8, turbo 350, factory speed alert (still works), '71 drivetrain w/front discs. Some call it ugly yellow, others call it Ochre '83 Jeep CJ-7, <80,000 miles, original owner '04 Chevy Suburban, 4x4, 2500, 6.0 ltr, Predator Diablo programmer '95 GMC K1500 Extended cab

06-24-2004, 10:51 PM	#2
kwmech Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colfax-California Posts: 8,650	Bolt in a regular PS box and center link.

06-25-2004, 04:54 PM	#7
8door Not too old to learn Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: SoCal Posts: 617	Steve: No O 'Riley parts in my area, but please read my post again today. I goofed and started a new thread instead of continuing this one. Maybe I should just pull all the parts out of the truck, take measurements and start digging. Most places want a core anyway.Of courcs not the ram. I just talked with a buddy ( not a truck guy) but had his ram for a small Bobcat rebuilt for $40. I like that. Money not the issue getting my truck in shape to drive is. Thanks again. I'll post pics as I go may be someone else will benefit from this also. Chris __________________ 1968 C10 a way to long restoration.

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