power and manual steering box difference - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

1970C10truck · 03-15-2011, 01:33 AM

Im going backwards in my build Im ditching the power steering for a manual setup in my 70 C10. I have heard that it was a direct replacement for the 2 different boxes and that one or the other boxes are shorter than the other and the shafts that hook up to the steering column are different diameters etc. The list goes on and on of all the conflicting information I have been hearing. The only only things I think I have found out so far that is true is that one is the box will bolt up to the frame and two the pitman arms are different.

Can someone tell me what the differences are between the 67-72 manual and power steering boxes are. The latest I heard was that the shaft was smaller in diameter is this true or false?

**70C10Toejam** · 03-15-2011, 05:58 PM

The power steering box is longer than the manual one, but the input shaft on the manual one makes up the difference. Sorry for the poor view, but you can see my manual one in the pic below and how much longer the shaft is, but the rag joint is in the same location.
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Views: 510
Size: 52.5 KB

I believe it is the later metric (79 or 80 and newer) that the input shaft is a different size. If yours is original or pre 78 the input should be the same size. When I converted to power I used an 85 and had the rag joint for it. I rebuilt the joint and used the 85 shaft half with the original steering column half. I no longer have any of those left over parts to compare though.

1970C10truck · 03-15-2011, 07:34 PM

Thanks for the info. I picked up a good manual box the other day from a 69 c10 and it didnt have a coupler/rag joint on it. Then thats when the guy I bought it from mentioned something about the shaft diameter being smaller. I have asked around and everyones given me conflicting answers. So if I am right in my way of thinking the ragjoint and coupler should be the same for the 69 manual box and my 70 power box? My trucks column was toast when I bought it and I bought all the new parts to get it fixed along with a new coupler/rag joint. I didnt want to tear it apart and not be able to finish it because I didnt have the right parts on hand.

03-15-2011, 01:33 AM	#1
1970C10truck Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Redding California Posts: 72	power and manual steering box difference Im going backwards in my build Im ditching the power steering for a manual setup in my 70 C10. I have heard that it was a direct replacement for the 2 different boxes and that one or the other boxes are shorter than the other and the shafts that hook up to the steering column are different diameters etc. The list goes on and on of all the conflicting information I have been hearing. The only only things I think I have found out so far that is true is that one is the box will bolt up to the frame and two the pitman arms are different. Can someone tell me what the differences are between the 67-72 manual and power steering boxes are. The latest I heard was that the shaft was smaller in diameter is this true or false? __________________ 1970 C10 swb 350 4spd under construction

03-15-2011, 05:58 PM	#2
70C10Toejam Hellasick Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Death Moans, IA Posts: 876	Re: power and manual steering box difference The power steering box is longer than the manual one, but the input shaft on the manual one makes up the difference. Sorry for the poor view, but you can see my manual one in the pic below and how much longer the shaft is, but the rag joint is in the same location. I believe it is the later metric (79 or 80 and newer) that the input shaft is a different size. If yours is original or pre 78 the input should be the same size. When I converted to power I used an 85 and had the rag joint for it. I rebuilt the joint and used the 85 shaft half with the original steering column half. I no longer have any of those left over parts to compare though. __________________ I keep two MAGNUMS in my desk. One's a gun, and I keep it loaded. The other's a bottle and it keeps ME loaded. I'm Tracer Bullet. (Calvin and Hobbes) This life was a test. It was only a test. If this had been an actual life, you would have received instructions on where to go and what to do. RED meat is not bad for you...FUZZY BLUE/GREEN MEAT is bad for you!!!!!!!!!!!!! BUILT FORD TOUGH WITH CHEVY STUFF--sticker at Goodguys

03-15-2011, 07:34 PM	#3
1970C10truck Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Redding California Posts: 72	Re: power and manual steering box difference Thanks for the info. I picked up a good manual box the other day from a 69 c10 and it didnt have a coupler/rag joint on it. Then thats when the guy I bought it from mentioned something about the shaft diameter being smaller. I have asked around and everyones given me conflicting answers. So if I am right in my way of thinking the ragjoint and coupler should be the same for the 69 manual box and my 70 power box? My trucks column was toast when I bought it and I bought all the new parts to get it fixed along with a new coupler/rag joint. I didnt want to tear it apart and not be able to finish it because I didnt have the right parts on hand. __________________ 1970 C10 swb 350 4spd under construction



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