Fix it or drive as is

[Green K20]

When I bought my truck, I had every intent in fixing it up and making it look good again.
At the time I bought it, I knew it had loose steering, but it wasn't too bad. Then I took it mudding, it has about 4-5" play in the steering. I've heard that manual steering, 4x4 trucks got loose steering as part of normal wear and tear, but isn't this a little extreme?

Also, the entire left bedside needs to be replaced, as does the lower door skins. In doing these things, the truck will look much nicer, but I don't have the money to do that right now. I am more concerned about the steering.

Is there a cheaper way to fix the steering other than to replace the $350 manual steering gearbox? I've heard that it would be to my advantage to just convert it to power steering, but that would be even more than $350 wouldn't it?

I am just trying to see what other people think about my situation. The engine, drivetrain, and interior are the best parts. With about $800-1000, it could be made into a nice truck.

[truckdude239]

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web..._795176404___#

gear box 175 dollars easy fix

[cam.man67]

Originally Posted by Green K20

When I bought my truck, I had every intent in fixing it up and making it look good again.
At the time I bought it, I knew it had loose steering, but it wasn't too bad. Then I took it mudding, it has about 4-5" play in the steering. I've heard that manual steering, 4x4 trucks got loose steering as part of normal wear and tear, but isn't this a little extreme?

Nah. My '63 Jeep has about 1/4 turn of play from normal trail running. Nothing to worry about.

[Stocker]

^ I hope you're joking, or talking about off-road use only. IMHO, that's waaaay too much play for a highway-driven vehicle.


Just my .02

[71swb4x4]

Have you checked teh box and frame? The frames can get cracked and then the box will start flopping around.

[Green K20]

71swb4x4, I don't know if the frame is cracked. I never even gave that a thought.

truckdude239, is that gearbox for a manual steering truck? If so, that would be a heck of a lot cheaper than buying one from LMC Truck.

Is this a truck that is worth fixing up? I don't know how many Custom/20 4x4s were made with the 350/Saginaw 4 spd, with Spicer lockouts and Posi-traction. If this is a mildly rare truck, I may consider trying to restore it.

[lil hoodlum]

I am by no means an expert, but I do believe I would be more than a little uncomfortable with that much play.

Many years ago, my truck had really loose steering as well. I began by replacing all of the steering and suspension parts when I had the time and money. Each repair made a difference in response and handling. The last two things I replaced were the big ticket items, (i.e. steering column and steering gear box.)

My steering is nice and tight now and very responsive. It has made a world of difference for me driving the truck as I can still recall how it was driving with the worn out parts.

My best advice, just crawl under the truck and start giving it a visual inspection. Then maybe grease all of the parts up. Grab various steering parts and give them a good jiggle, see how much play is in them. Chances are everything is just plain worn out and needs replacing. Fortunately, you can do most of the work yourself. It's not too difficult. Actually many of the parts you need are not all that expensive either.

I just hate to think that you believe you have to spend $350 of your hard earned money for a new gear box and then you find out after replacing it, that all of the other "small/ cheaper" parts are worn as well.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Keith

[Green K20]

Thanks Keith!

I did just that with an old Ford I used to have. I paid $600 for the truck and then spent another $6-700 in steering parts. I don't want to throw parts at this truck in hopes that it will fix the problem.

[raycow]

Get under and have a helper turn the wheel back and forth so you can see if the play is in the gearbox or the linkage or both. If it's the gearbox, you can adust the play out, so you won't "have to" replace it. If it's the linkage, you will have to replace any loose tie rod ends.

Ray

[hgs_notes]

There are plenty of people that would sell you a used power steering set up if you wanted to go that route. I have an extra available and I'm sure you could find one on the parts board. I think you can get rebuild kits for both styles of steering boxes and all of the replacement bushings and tie rod ends should be available through the local parts store.

[ed2552]

If you have more time than money, you could probably rebuild the box with new bushings, bearings and fluid.

[Longhorn Man]

the manual gearboxes are usually pretty sloppy. I don't know if they built them with some added slop, if they had a lower build quality verses the power steering gear boxes, or what. But every manual steering truck of theis generation that I have looked at were sloppy to the extreem.
As I lifetime member of the too broke for new parts club, this is the route I would take;
Inspect the tire rod ends and pitman/idler and all that jazz for wear. Replace parts as needed. Tripple check the frame where the box bolts on. The 4X4 frames DO tend to crack there.
Then adjust the gear box. Don't overdo it as this will ruin the box.
This will make it better, but only YOU can say if it is good enough. That box WILL wear more, so even if it is good enough, you still need to consider your next step.
I would look into a power steering upgrade. junkyards and used parts can be your friends here.
Things to pay attention to;
4X4 and 2 wheel drive boxes are NOT the same, but a 2 wheel drive (much more common) part can be used in a crossover conversion (I have no clue what that is, but the guys on the 4x4 forum here can help you)
Get the best used parts you can find. The main thing that happens on power boxes, they start leaking. They wear out too, but they normally leak real bad before wear is an issue.
Pay attention to the details. If your engine is set up like original, then the pump and brackets will be specific to 69 - 72 trucks. If you get a later style pump and brackets, then you'll need the water pump and all the pullies and brackets off that truck. This part can be a HUGE pain in the 12 bolt.
The value of your truck, while I don't think it is all that uber rare, any 4X4 of this gen seems to be fairly hot items. You could easily spend more than the truck is worth as it sits fixing it up, but once you fix all that stuff, it'll be worth a lot more than it is now. Paint and body can turn your $2500 truck into a $10,000 or more. Just don't expect to do it on the cheap. Basicly, only you can figure if the truck is worth the cost and effort to fix up.

[raycow]

I think there are two likely reasons for the observed greater looseness of manual steering boxes as compared with PS.

1. Lubrication - Manual boxes tend to leak and people don't do anything about it, so they eventually run dry. When a PS box leaks, it gets fixed.

2. The load on the input side of a manual box is much greater than on PS. This causes greater wear on the worm, nut and balls, especially when combined with poorer lubrication.

Ray

[truckdude239]

my truck is manual steering and it has no play in it. the box i listed was for the manual steering

[Green K20]

Thanks, Guys!

truckdude239, one more thing: Is that gearbox you listed for a 4x4?

Longhorn Man, I agree, the fact that it is 4x4 is partly what caught my interest. I priced out the parts I would need to make the truck look halfway decent, and it is only going to be about $350. Thats pretty good considering I paid $1800 for the truck. Then if I wanted to restore it to showroom condition, it would be well over $1800. But, according to our local Craigslist, trucks only slightly better than mine are going for upwards of $2500-4000.

[truckdude239]

i looked it up for a 1971 k20 with a 350 k20 is the 4wheel model they list at advance auto parts

[tim21391]

pics pics pics

[Green K20]

Yah. I got some on my camera, I just need to get them uploaded to the computer. Then I need to see if I remember how to put them on the forum. If someone knows how to run a Photobucket or Flicker account, please tell me how to add pictures.