Adding Power Steering

[belliott77]

Hi All,

I am new to this forum, just purchased a 71 Blazer.

It has manual steering and I am looking to add power steering.
I went to the salvage yard today and didn't find any units
on a 72 or earlier truck, but I did find several on trucks between
74 and early 80's. It looks like these parts are visually very similar, but
they are not the same part numbers.

My question is, does anyone know if they will work? I don't want
to spend the time and the money pulling them if I cannot use them.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Bret

[Jon Scully]

Welcome to the BOard!!

I am in the same boat:

Is there a FAQ thread we are missing on this?

Thanks,

Jon

[454stepside]

74 and up steering boxes do not mount the same as 67-72 and i would probably go to the local parts store and get a new box so there is no problems i have bought junk yard boxes before and had problems and also so you know the 67-72 2 wheel drive boxes are also different than th 4 wheel drive boxes

[john]

You did not say which engine you have. If it is a small block you will need to find 1967-1972 parts. They have the short water pump. 1973 and later use the long pump and the brackets and pulleys will not interchange. Alot of trucks have used the 73-87 gearboxes. I think you will need a P.S. pitman arm and rag joint. The 1980 and up boxes use O ring fittings instead of inverted flare.

[454stepside]

info i forgot lol i love this board its good for lots of info

[Jon Scully]

Ok so lets try and figure the most economical and clean way of doing this (if it is not toom uch to ask:

Can someone who has done this provide a list of parts that are best bought NEW, and parts that can be bought USED (and from what year)?

Once we have this -- Could we not add it to the FAQ section?

Thanks,

Jon

[belliott77]

Thanks, that is a big help, saved me from making a mistake. I do have a small block with the small water pump.

I have done some research since my original post.

Classic Performance Products has a kit for $599, their tech said
it may need some tweaking to work with a 4x4
Their website is: http://www.classicperform.com/
They also have an aftermarket mounting bracket for the pump for $59

Reman pumps, hoses and steering boxes are available from LMC
and Rock Auto, Rock is cheaper. I am sure there are other sources.

I am still hoping to find the original mounting bracket, I am working on a couple of local options.

Are there any salvage yards that are a good source for these trucks? My local one was mainly late 70's and newer.

Thanks again,

Bret

[454stepside]

hey bret there is a guy in denver his name is pj he runs adds in the denver craigslist all the time he has lots of parts not sure of his number but check craigslist and call him he might have all the parts you need

[belliott77]

Originally Posted by 454stepside

hey bret there is a guy in denver his name is pj he runs adds in the denver craigslist all the time he has lots of parts not sure of his number but check craigslist and call him he might have all the parts you need

Thanks I will keep an eye out for him
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[belliott77]

Just as a follow up, I happened to find a complete power steering unit at a local salvage yard this week. Will be installing this coming week. Hope everything isn't too warn out.