Identification of Steering Gear - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

andsonsvd · 07-02-2012, 09:42 AM

Hi all Sorry more steering questions!!

I have a steering rack for my 1949 4400 truck which is different to JR's 4400 truck. It seems that the steering shaft is part of the housing where all of the others I can find information on the column is bolted to the top.

Maybe it is because mine is Right hand drive?

The part number I got of it was 260743.

Mine are the first two the third is courtesy of JRDECAT.

mr48chev · 07-02-2012, 10:49 AM

You nailed it, yours is right hand drive. The boxes almost look to be mirror image reversals. I'd bet that the internal parts are the same though.

andsonsvd · 07-02-2012, 10:52 AM

Mr48,

I just have to work out how to adapt a later model steering wheel to this gear, A because I want a new steering column and B because I need to move the steering gear out to make room for the SBC. I assume I should be able to shim the box about an inch or so?

Shane

mr48chev · 07-02-2012, 12:42 PM

We used to bolt or weld a piece of 1-1/2 inch angle iron to the frame rail and move the steering box out the needed amount. It ends up putting your steering wheel at a slight angle though.

What you might want to do to start is make some spacers for the bolts that go through the side and space it out to fit the engine install before doing any welding or fabricating. A stack of flat washers and longer bolts would let you figure out what you need to do.

Newer GM wheels will go right on the column but you need a flat wheel or the rim will be up under your chin.

If you shorten the column I would suggest having a machine shop cut a keyway in the shaft ends and using a keyed connector and set screw. If you cut the column off so the tube and shaft went through the firewall from the box you could put a universal joint on the shaft on the inside to help straighten out the angle and connect the two pieces. At the same time you could shorten the steering column and shaft so that your wheel of choice would fit correctly in the cab. That would require putting bushings or bearings in the ends of the cut off tube of the column too though.

07-02-2012, 09:42 AM	#1
andsonsvd Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Perth Western Australia Posts: 146	Identification of Steering Gear Hi all Sorry more steering questions!! I have a steering rack for my 1949 4400 truck which is different to JR's 4400 truck. It seems that the steering shaft is part of the housing where all of the others I can find information on the column is bolted to the top. Maybe it is because mine is Right hand drive? The part number I got of it was 260743. Mine are the first two the third is courtesy of JRDECAT. Attached Images __________________ Australian GM/Holden Dealer 1937 Chev Rod - LS1/4L60E 1949 Chevy 4400 Dually - 235ci/4L60E 1958 Chevy Apache Fleetside SBC/T400

07-02-2012, 10:49 AM	#2
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,410	Re: Identification of Steering Gear You nailed it, yours is right hand drive. The boxes almost look to be mirror image reversals. I'd bet that the internal parts are the same though.

07-02-2012, 10:52 AM	#3
andsonsvd Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Perth Western Australia Posts: 146	Re: Identification of Steering Gear Mr48, I just have to work out how to adapt a later model steering wheel to this gear, A because I want a new steering column and B because I need to move the steering gear out to make room for the SBC. I assume I should be able to shim the box about an inch or so? Shane __________________ Australian GM/Holden Dealer 1937 Chev Rod - LS1/4L60E 1949 Chevy 4400 Dually - 235ci/4L60E 1958 Chevy Apache Fleetside SBC/T400

07-02-2012, 12:42 PM	#4
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,410	Re: Identification of Steering Gear We used to bolt or weld a piece of 1-1/2 inch angle iron to the frame rail and move the steering box out the needed amount. It ends up putting your steering wheel at a slight angle though. What you might want to do to start is make some spacers for the bolts that go through the side and space it out to fit the engine install before doing any welding or fabricating. A stack of flat washers and longer bolts would let you figure out what you need to do. Newer GM wheels will go right on the column but you need a flat wheel or the rim will be up under your chin. If you shorten the column I would suggest having a machine shop cut a keyway in the shaft ends and using a keyed connector and set screw. If you cut the column off so the tube and shaft went through the firewall from the box you could put a universal joint on the shaft on the inside to help straighten out the angle and connect the two pieces. At the same time you could shorten the steering column and shaft so that your wheel of choice would fit correctly in the cab. That would require putting bushings or bearings in the ends of the cut off tube of the column too though.



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