1969 3/4 ton Chevy Truck Steering - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

geenen · 01-31-2014, 12:25 PM

I am changing the front drum brakes on my restored 1969 Chevrolet 3/4 ton pickup to power disc brakes and using a new cross member and and parts from a 1972 3/4 ton. I was told that with this change, I would also have to convert the current manual steering to power steering. Can anyone tell me if this is true and if so, does this mean everything on the steering column from the firewall on down?

1968k10blue · 01-31-2014, 12:30 PM

I can't tell you if you need power steering or not, but for a power steering conversion the only change I believe is the new steering gearbox and pump/hoses

hounddogs! · 01-31-2014, 12:41 PM

The Pitman arm is different between power and manual steering. The rest of the '72 pieces won't care what steering box is in there.

geenen · 01-31-2014, 12:44 PM

Houndogs!

If I want to keep my manual steering in the truck and not convert to power, will I only have to change the Pitman arm?

hounddogs! · 02-02-2014, 03:36 PM

Here's what I've done to my '68 3/4T that you'd be interested in:

Changed manual steering to PS. Needed the PS box / pitman arm, pump / hoses, and a two-groove engine pulley. This all swapped into the '68 suspension and steering column, I think without mods. I may have drilled out the plastic pins to be able to shorten the steering shaft; it's been since '01 or so. The thing I don't know is if PS setups changed from '68 to '72. It's definitely not a '67 unit.

Went to power disk brakes last summer. Got a '71 3/4T crossmember and rebuilt the whole thing in the shop. Cut the '68 crossmember loose at the Pitman arm, then did a remove and replace with the '71 piece. No changes needed at the steering box. Mounted booster/MC and ran a vac line.

Long story short, you ought to be able to run '72 disk brakes with manual steering.

geenen · 02-02-2014, 04:48 PM

Thanks Hounddogs!

I also found out that with a '71-72 cross member and converted disk brakes on a '69 truck, that I will have to replace the center drag link as well. The '69 holes in the '69 center link don't fit the holes in the 71-72 inner tie rods even though the idler arm and pitman arm are fine.

01-31-2014, 12:25 PM	#1
geenen Registered User Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 3	1969 3/4 ton Chevy Truck Steering I am changing the front drum brakes on my restored 1969 Chevrolet 3/4 ton pickup to power disc brakes and using a new cross member and and parts from a 1972 3/4 ton. I was told that with this change, I would also have to convert the current manual steering to power steering. Can anyone tell me if this is true and if so, does this mean everything on the steering column from the firewall on down?

01-31-2014, 12:30 PM	#2
1968k10blue Registered User Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Mahtomedi, Minnesota Posts: 335	Re: 1969 3/4 ton Chevy Truck Steering I can't tell you if you need power steering or not, but for a power steering conversion the only change I believe is the new steering gearbox and pump/hoses __________________ Austin 2005 GMC Sierra 1500 4X4 4.8l V8 (Wrecked) 2003 Chevy 1500 standard cab short bed 4x4 w/ 5.3l

01-31-2014, 12:41 PM	#3
hounddogs! Restoring it $200 at a time... Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: NE Kansas Posts: 886	Re: 1969 3/4 ton Chevy Truck Steering The Pitman arm is different between power and manual steering. The rest of the '72 pieces won't care what steering box is in there. __________________ Charter member of the 'Put the dimmer switch back on the damn floor where it belongs' Society '68 5.3L-4 speed LWB C20; grandpa bought it for the farm in '71. Now LS 5.3, rather than 327. DD '09 Pilot Weekender '65 Skylark 300-4V-4 speed Wife's '07 Lexus ES350; 117 actuator motors and I can't see the engine. Son's '04 F250 SuperCab 6.0

01-31-2014, 12:44 PM	#4
geenen Registered User Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 3	Re: 1969 3/4 ton Chevy Truck Steering Houndogs! If I want to keep my manual steering in the truck and not convert to power, will I only have to change the Pitman arm?

02-02-2014, 03:36 PM	#5
hounddogs! Restoring it $200 at a time... Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: NE Kansas Posts: 886	Re: 1969 3/4 ton Chevy Truck Steering Here's what I've done to my '68 3/4T that you'd be interested in: Changed manual steering to PS. Needed the PS box / pitman arm, pump / hoses, and a two-groove engine pulley. This all swapped into the '68 suspension and steering column, I think without mods. I may have drilled out the plastic pins to be able to shorten the steering shaft; it's been since '01 or so. The thing I don't know is if PS setups changed from '68 to '72. It's definitely not a '67 unit. Went to power disk brakes last summer. Got a '71 3/4T crossmember and rebuilt the whole thing in the shop. Cut the '68 crossmember loose at the Pitman arm, then did a remove and replace with the '71 piece. No changes needed at the steering box. Mounted booster/MC and ran a vac line. Long story short, you ought to be able to run '72 disk brakes with manual steering. __________________ Charter member of the 'Put the dimmer switch back on the damn floor where it belongs' Society '68 5.3L-4 speed LWB C20; grandpa bought it for the farm in '71. Now LS 5.3, rather than 327. DD '09 Pilot Weekender '65 Skylark 300-4V-4 speed Wife's '07 Lexus ES350; 117 actuator motors and I can't see the engine. Son's '04 F250 SuperCab 6.0

02-02-2014, 04:48 PM	#6
geenen Registered User Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 3	Re: 1969 3/4 ton Chevy Truck Steering Thanks Hounddogs! I also found out that with a '71-72 cross member and converted disk brakes on a '69 truck, that I will have to replace the center drag link as well. The '69 holes in the '69 center link don't fit the holes in the 71-72 inner tie rods even though the idler arm and pitman arm are fine.



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