OMG, another new owner/noob/FNG - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

tmoble · 10-08-2015, 02:07 PM

So I already am doing a bare frame rebuild of my 57 SSSBBW when this 83 c15 falls into my lap. It's a pretty nice AZ truck, no rust to speak of. has a nicely swapped in 350, runs good. I think I'm the 3rd owner of this truck, it's clean unmolested. Under the hood is almost museum grade except for the stupid Eddie/Carter carb that going away soon.

Anyway, I have a lot of background with Chevy Trucks and can fix almost anything on it including engine, trans, rear axle, front end, AC, etc, etc.

The main thing that's keeping me from adopting it is the turning radius. it's a PITA in parking lots and driveways. Is there a way to fix this? I'm not talking about the ratio in the box, I can fix that anyway. Faster ratio box doesn't help this that I know of.

Anybody on here know what the problem or fix is? steering stops in the box? spindle stops on the LCA? goofed linkage from GM?

I'm used to the 70-81 Camaro stub, which does everything good.

andrewmp6 · 10-09-2015, 01:58 AM

You gotta remember these trucks was built to be a work truck so handling is laugh able on them.The stock turning radius is bad and gets worse with slop in the steering from wore out parts like the rag joints to tie rod ends.Do you have any play in the steering or a dead spot?

Blessed66 · 10-09-2015, 02:03 PM

A fairly clean 83 falls into your lap, and your main complaint is turning radius? Shame. :P

It's been my experience that none of the 73-87 trucks have a great turning radius - no matter what you do. Good parts help (worn out stuff is a given on a 32 year old truck), toying with wheel diameter and offset help... but it's really not enough to justify it. Check alignment, check steering parts, make sure nothing is hitting/rubbing/bottoming out.

If everything is perfect, other than the bus-like turning radius, then that's what you have.

Doing anything else to majorly improve turning radius (reworking entire steering geometry, shortening the wheelbase) is not going to be cheap.

Liberty · 10-09-2015, 07:48 PM

Just wait till you see how bad steering one of these trucks is when the power steering pump grenades itself.

10-08-2015, 02:07 PM	#1
tmoble Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Glendale, Az Posts: 1,062	OMG, another new owner/noob/FNG So I already am doing a bare frame rebuild of my 57 SSSBBW when this 83 c15 falls into my lap. It's a pretty nice AZ truck, no rust to speak of. has a nicely swapped in 350, runs good. I think I'm the 3rd owner of this truck, it's clean unmolested. Under the hood is almost museum grade except for the stupid Eddie/Carter carb that going away soon. Anyway, I have a lot of background with Chevy Trucks and can fix almost anything on it including engine, trans, rear axle, front end, AC, etc, etc. The main thing that's keeping me from adopting it is the turning radius. it's a PITA in parking lots and driveways. Is there a way to fix this? I'm not talking about the ratio in the box, I can fix that anyway. Faster ratio box doesn't help this that I know of. Anybody on here know what the problem or fix is? steering stops in the box? spindle stops on the LCA? goofed linkage from GM? I'm used to the 70-81 Camaro stub, which does everything good.

10-09-2015, 01:58 AM	#2
andrewmp6 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Louisville,Ky Posts: 5,811	Re: OMG, another new owner/noob/FNG You gotta remember these trucks was built to be a work truck so handling is laugh able on them.The stock turning radius is bad and gets worse with slop in the steering from wore out parts like the rag joints to tie rod ends.Do you have any play in the steering or a dead spot?

10-09-2015, 02:03 PM	#3
Blessed66 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Tyler, Texas Posts: 217	Re: OMG, another new owner/noob/FNG A fairly clean 83 falls into your lap, and your main complaint is turning radius? Shame. :P It's been my experience that none of the 73-87 trucks have a great turning radius - no matter what you do. Good parts help (worn out stuff is a given on a 32 year old truck), toying with wheel diameter and offset help... but it's really not enough to justify it. Check alignment, check steering parts, make sure nothing is hitting/rubbing/bottoming out. If everything is perfect, other than the bus-like turning radius, then that's what you have. Doing anything else to majorly improve turning radius (reworking entire steering geometry, shortening the wheelbase) is not going to be cheap. __________________ Current Projects: 1984 GMC, LWB Fleetside, 305/350 - Currently Doing TBI Conversion 1966 GMC, SWB Stepside, 350/200-4R - Currently waiting patiently.

10-09-2015, 07:48 PM	#4
Liberty Registered User Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Bonham, Texas Posts: 241	Re: OMG, another new owner/noob/FNG Just wait till you see how bad steering one of these trucks is when the power steering pump grenades itself.



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