47-55.1 My 53 GMC 3/4 ton project

[6DoF]

more doors is like more HP right?

will the steering assist be adjustable with that setup?

[Nima]

Originally Posted by 6DoF

more doors is like more HP right?

will the steering assist be adjustable with that setup?

That is the plan.
Yes, the steering has a manually adjustable knob which I have to mount somewhere.

[Nima]

While waiting for some small parts to arrive, I am jumped around and worked on the seat brackets. The seats are from a 2001 Tahoe. They are thicker (bulkier) than I would like but they are very comfortable for me (I have similar ones in my 2005 truck) and also fully powered including heat! Besides, paying only $50 for them, made them more attractive! Of course I have to either get a set of cover for them or just rebuild them. I also don't know if I should connect the under the cab plates to the frame or not for added security. I would be concern about vibration transfer to the cab?!

[Father&son56project]

Originally Posted by Nima

That is the plan.
Yes, the steering has a manually adjustable knob which I have to mount somewhere.

I'm confused! You used a stock electric steering setup from a junkyard, but you are mounting an adjustable knob. Did that stock steering setup have an adjustment knob, or is it some aftermarket gizmo you are adding? I ask because I love what you have done and will likely do it on my next build.

Thanks!

[Nima]

Originally Posted by Father&son56project

I'm confused! You used a stock electric steering setup from a junkyard, but you are mounting an adjustable knob. Did that stock steering setup have an adjustment knob, or is it some aftermarket gizmo you are adding? I ask because I love what you have done and will likely do it on my next build.

Thanks!

Stock electric steering boxes adjust the steering assist based on the load (torque) applied in regard to the speed, tires and etc. This adjustment are done through the car's main ECU. Some Asian cars manufacturer s'(Toyota, Nissan and some Hyundai that I know) electric steering boxes can go to a default mode and apply some steering assist if they don't receive any signal from ECU while American car versions (Saturn or chevy Equinox that I am using) do not have a default mode which means if they don't receive the signal from ECU, they don't provide any steering assist. To overcome this issue, there are few companies on Ebay who sell some standalone modules which can send the signal to activate the steering assist but, since there is no ECU involved the steering assist will be controlled by standalone knob. I chose to go with Saturn/Equinox version since I felt they came out of an SUV which hopefully makes them a little stronger for a truck use rather than the ones come out of a Toyota Prius. Besides, me using big tires and wheels, I wanted to be able to adjust the amount of the steering assist to my liking rather than just relying on a default mode.

[Father&son56project]

Thanks! It makes perfect sense to me now. It will be interesting to see what you think of it once you have some time on the road. Keep up the great work (and the amazing pics and explanations).

[NorCalGal]

It would be #3 in this diagram

[dsraven]

good info on how the electric steering works and the work around for making it work without a stock vehicle's modules. just curious, is there a fine tuner to get the steering wheel centered or is that an alignment issue afterwards?

[Nima]

Originally Posted by NorCalGal

It would be #3 in this diagram

Thank you NorCalGal. Very helpful.

Originally Posted by dsraven

good info on how the electric steering works and the work around for making it work without a stock vehicle's modules. just curious, is there a fine tuner to get the steering wheel centered or is that an alignment issue afterwards?

There is some process which ofcourse I don't remember now (I don't this is just me getting old or something else)! I have the information buried somewhere! When I get to the wiring and start up I will post an update then.

[Nima]

So, I have been waiting for some small parts to arrive. Meanwhile, I got my new wheels and tires put together:

[Nima]

Also, I have been doing some brake work:

[6DoF]

just a heads up for ya. i run the D52 calipers on the rear of a lot of my stuff, and my TJ should be light in the rear like your truck will be. a few tips ... just turn that adjustable proportioning valve down all the way and back off 1/4 turn so it doesn't stick. then even after that during soft braking around town you'll be using the rears pretty hard vs the front. they'll wear out pads quicker than you expect.

well, that assumes you use the same on the front and not some huge 6-piston

[Nima]

Originally Posted by 6DoF

just a heads up for ya. i run the D52 calipers on the rear of a lot of my stuff, and my TJ should be light in the rear like your truck will be. a few tips ... just turn that adjustable proportioning valve down all the way and back off 1/4 turn so it doesn't stick. then even after that during soft braking around town you'll be using the rears pretty hard vs the front. they'll wear out pads quicker than you expect.

well, that assumes you use the same on the front and not some huge 6-piston

Thank you for the tip. I'll keep that in mind.

[Nima]

Before I finalize the steering box, while there is more elbow room, I wanted to finish up the headers, intake and the oil pressure gauge sending unit for a dedicate gauge. These parts are done!

[Nima]

Okay, it has been few busy weeks but now I got a chance to get back on the project.
Finalizing the steering set up. Moving the steering box couple of inches to the outside has created issue with pitman arm and drag link. The drag link gets too close to the tire and also, it doesn't line up with the spindle:

[Nima]

So, my fix was to cut the lower section of the pitman arm and weld it 180-degree opposite! Since I wanted to be sure the pitman arm stays in one piece, I added a 1/4" angle iron as additional support:

[dsraven]

not sure how things work where you are located but heating, cutting or welding a steering part is strickly forbidden where I come from in Canada. maybe check with the local authorities or your local front end shop. if you need an inspection at some point it may not pass if that is the case locally.
they do make an adjustable drag link that could be put togther as you have yours. pitman arm, maybe not.

[Nima]

Originally Posted by dsraven

not sure how things work where you are located but heating, cutting or welding a steering part is strickly forbidden where I come from in Canada. maybe check with the local authorities or your local front end shop. if you need an inspection at some point it may not pass if that is the case locally.
they do make an adjustable drag link that could be put togther as you have yours. pitman arm, maybe not.

Thank you for pointing that out. I am not aware of any laws in that regard in WA. Obviously, the steering and brake systems are the two important (at least some of the most important ones) systems in a vehicle. My issue is trying to keep the 3/4 ton components to keep my 8 lug setup. It seems everything aftermarket is based on 1/2 ton. I knew about the adjustable drag links but I don't know of any 3/4 ton pitman arm compatible with them. I believe the spindle forks are different too.

[dsraven]

You could check and if illegal in your area you may be able to have a new Pitman arm made for you. Same for the drag link, find some ends the right size and have the center section made and use some connector sleeves from something the correct size and easily found. The taper in the Pitman arm and steering arm could also be modified to fit something readily available.

[Nima]

So, working a little bit here and there.
I just went with Heater/defrost unit from Vintageair for now since I rarely use AC. Also, I spent some time finishing the tranny tunnel.

[Nima]

So, it has been a while!
I have been able to do a little with 53 since I got involved with another LS swap! My 67. I am hoping to finish the 67 fast and get back on 53.

[6DoF]

other projects happen! that's what my problem is ...

[Nima]

Okay, back on the project a little bit. Doing the enginebay wiring and also working on the coolant recovery tank by making a bracket for it:

[Jason 56]

Looking good! That bracket came out nice. Wiring can be so time consuming, but not too difficult once you have it all labeled. Keep the progress going

[Nima]

So, working on the radiator and tranny cooler braclet at the same time.
I am mounting the raidator on the outside of the rad support to create more room for my junckyard taurus fan.