66 K-10 Steering Box

[special-K]

I don't throw good things out either. I have some 2wd manual steering boxes from low mile C/30s that got converted to 4wd. I figure they are good for any number of things, possibly non-automotive. I have some granny 4spds too, same reason. I might want to make a merry-go-round or something

I kept this '69 W200 manual. I was young and never gave the effort a thought. I got the "Armstrong steering" comments all the time.

[1976gmc20]

Originally Posted by special-K

I don't throw good things out either. I have some 2wd manual steering boxes from low mile C/30s that got converted to 4wd. I figure they are good for any number of things, possibly non-automotive. I have some granny 4spds too, same reason. I might want to make a merry-go-round or something

I kept this '69 W200 manual. I was young and never gave the effort a thought. I got the "Armstrong steering" comments all the time.

The older pickups were somehow engineered for manual steering. Let's see, I had a manual C/10 and a manual C/50 (both 1965) and neither of them were terribly hard to drive. The folks I worked for in the winter had a 65/66 K20 all manual and I don't remember it being hard to steer. We used it mostly to feed cows in the winter. They also had a 46 and a 47 dump truck and some old "Advanced" pickups and a Dodge power wagon. I guess that I worked so hard that steering those old trucks was taking a break

But we had a 1977 C/10 Suburban with manual steering and it was awful! You would literally lift yourself off the seat trying to turn at low speeds. The 73-87 steering wheel was smaller and more vertical than the older pickups.

[Short 3/4]

Originally Posted by special-K

I don't throw good things out either. I have some 2wd manual steering boxes from low mile C/30s that got converted to 4wd. I figure they are good for any number of things, possibly non-automotive. I have some granny 4spds too, same reason. I might want to make a merry-go-round or something

I kept this '69 W200 manual. I was young and never gave the effort a thought. I got the "Armstrong steering" comments all the time.

Wow, great flashback. I also had a 69 Power Wagon in the 70's, back when my hair also went down to my shoulders. Mine was white with a blue grill. Also had manual steering, which was never a problem. Didn't have large tires on it, but it did have a heavy old big block over the front axle.
Had a one ton square body company truck in the late 80's with manual steering. Worst truck I've ever driven. That small steering wheel just didn't work, and obviously they changed the gearing on the box, probably to get people to spring for the more expensive power set up. The 66 with manual that I drove to and from work on the other hand, was absolutely no problem to drive, go figure.

[chtr65]

Interesting comments. I took delivery of the truck about 1 1/2 years ago. I drove it from the trailer to my shop, about 1/8th of a mile. First time I had driven an original 4X4. I didn't think the manual steering was not that bad. The original big steering wheel helps. I think of it as part of the character of the truck. The steering box in question was an extra that I acquired along the way. The manual steering box on the truck is in nice condition, although I may have it sent out to have rebuilt. Any suggestions as to where to send it for rebuilding?

[Short 3/4]

Originally Posted by chtr65

Interesting comments. I took delivery of the truck about 1 1/2 years ago. I drove it from the trailer to my shop, about 1/8th of a mile. First time I had driven an original 4X4. I didn't think the manual steering was not that bad. The original big steering wheel helps. I think of it as part of the character of the truck. The steering box in question was an extra that I acquired along the way. The manual steering box on the truck is in nice condition, although I may have it sent out to have rebuilt. Any suggestions as to where to send it for rebuilding?

I had mine rebuilt by a local shop with part from local parts store. Same place also did a 66 2wd box for me some years back and both came out great. My advice is to find an independent shop where either the owner or mechanic has a few gray hairs. Most old timers have rebuilt a bunch of these things. Apparently fairly easy to rebuild, but if you adjust it wrong it's easy to ruin it, so one of the few jobs I leave to the pros.
Good luck,
Tom

[special-K]

Originally Posted by Short 3/4

Wow, great flashback. I also had a 69 Power Wagon in the 70's, back when my hair also went down to my shoulders. Mine was white with a blue grill. Also had...

Pretty cool we both had the same truck on opposite coasts in opposite colors . I used the factory color when I painted it. But I used a '68 donor for most of the body when I restored it. That cab was starting to rust when I bought it in '77

[Short 3/4]

Originally Posted by special-K

Pretty cool we both had the same truck on opposite coasts in opposite colors . I used the factory color when I painted it. But I used a '68 donor for most of the body when I restored it. That cab was starting to rust when I bought it in '77

Ya, bodies not a strong point on those old Dodges. Been meaning to post a picture on the "other makes" thread if I can get my wife to show me how