Info needed the po didn't give me

[badherb]

1960 swb. The front end was replaced with I assume 73up truck front-end. The ball joints are riveted in place. What years had this style ball joints? Plus the power steering box was mounted but I don't know specifics on it so I can replace hoses and buy steering shaft rag joint etc. Any help is appreciated.

[urmyboyblue]

I would assume that if the front end is out of a 73, that any year model from 73-87 would have the same ball joint. The hoses went metric at some time in those years I believe. The best thing to do is to look at the hoses when you pull them off. I think that the metric ones had a blue tint to the coating on the nuts. I am sure someone that has worked on these more recently than I have will chime in.

[badherb]

Interesting! never thought metric would have happened in that era.... so i checked and sure enough fasteners on the front end seem to be metric. checked three different fasteners and they are all metric. and the steering box does not have anything to check that but assuming the PO got everything from the same truck.
ANYONE ELSE?

[PGSigns]

If you can post some pictures of the setup in your truck it will help refine the information you will get.
Jimmy

[62jimmy]

If its a metric frontend I believe that would narrow it to an 84-87 frontend. I just went through ordering all the necessary moog replacement parts to completely rebuild a frontend I was told was an 84. The only difference I found in part numbers was the pitman arm changing after 83. I ended up needing the pre-84 pitman arm, so I may have been told the wrong year. Everything else carried the same part numbers (balljoints, tierods, adjusting sleeves, idler arm, control arm bushings) from what I remember from 73-87

[badherb]

Originally Posted by 62jimmy

If its a metric frontend I believe that would narrow it to an 84-87 frontend. I just went through ordering all the necessary moog replacement parts to completely rebuild a frontend I was told was an 84. The only difference I found in part numbers was the pitman arm changing after 83. I ended up needing the pre-84 pitman arm, so I may have been told the wrong year. Everything else carried the same part numbers (balljoints, tierods, adjusting sleeves, idler arm, control arm bushings) from what I remember from 73-87

Were your ball joints rivited in?

[60chevyjim]

I think all ball joints are riveted from the factory .
my 65 and the 79 crossmember I have for it both have riveted ball joints so if there bolted in then they were replaced.
to get a idea what year your steering box is .
take a hose loose from the steering box and see if it has a flare fitting on the end
or the newer Oring setup on the line .
this will let you know about what year the box is ..


>>> up to 1979 has the flare fitting >> 1980 started using Oring fittings on the lines

[62jimmy]

Originally Posted by badherb

Were your ball joints rivited in?

Yes, mine were riveted, I think 60chevyjim is right, they are riveted at the factory, replacements are bolt in. Also, it was the idler arm that was different, and I had to exchange for the pre 84 part not the pitman arm, had a brain lapse

[badherb]

Originally Posted by badherb

Were your ball joints rivited in?

top side of upper a arm

[badherb]

Originally Posted by 60chevyjim

I think all ball joints are riveted from the factory .
my 65 and the 79 crossmember I have for it both have riveted ball joints so if there bolted in then they were replaced.
to get a idea what year your steering box is .
take a hose loose from the steering box and see if it has a flare fitting on the end
or the newer Oring setup on the line .
this will let you know about what year the box is ..


>>> up to 1979 has the flare fitting >> 1980 started using Oring fittings on the lines

the hard lines left on the box are 1 cut on the pressure side 2 a barb (bubble) in the line to hold a hose from sliding off.

[badherb]

here is a photo of the drivers side and the steering box

[badherb]

Steering box has a raised id number of 7812145 no definite answers for the box but it could be a saginaw box 68-77 year. I'll look for more stamping on the box.

[badherb]

7802644 is the other casting number and I have narrowed it down but still nothing definite. most of the hits Im getting are on this site. heh

[60chevyjim]

you need to unbolt either one of the lines from the steering box and look at to end of the line that goes into the steering box.
it will be a flare or it will use a Oring
79 and older use a flare fitting...
1980 and newer use the Oring style fitting .

[PGSigns]

Also pull a wheel and see what the thickness is. Light duty is 1" and heavy is 1 1/4" that way if you go to order spindles or brake parts you will need this info. Also looks like you are missing a frame cross member.
Jimmy

[badherb]

Originally Posted by PGSigns

Also pull a wheel and see what the thickness is. Light duty is 1" and heavy is 1 1/4" that way if you go to order spindles or brake parts you will need this info. Also looks like you are missing a frame cross member.
Jimmy

What is 1" or 1 1/4"? Is it possible for you to show me the cross members missing part?


The steering box has double flare end.
Thanks guys!!

[badherb]

7812145 and 7802644 on steering box

[PGSigns]

The rotors come in two thicknesses so pull the wheel and measure how thick they are. I also don't see where it was drilled for the later model idler arm. Forgot this is a 60 it does not have the crossmember for the radiator like the 63 and up.
Jimmy

[badherb]

the idler arm is on passenger side. Saw a 68 in teh junk yard the front end was the same as mine even had the sway bar still. only difference was the 68 had grease serts on all bushings.