Trying to ID a steering box.

[Russ.W.]

G'day all. I have a manual steering box from my factory '67 right-hand drive C10, and am trying to find out what else it came on. Google doesn't seem to give me much.

I'd like to eventually upgrade to power steering, but need to know what other vehicles this box came on, so I know where to look for a proper fitting power steering option.

Part # is 5673800






Thanks for your time.

[airdale94]

On the left hand drive the 73-87 can be adapted if you get the steering linkages. So what I would do is try looking for interchange for those. Then just look for vehicles of that type that are right hand drive. Sorry if my explanation is not that clear.

[LSUMurse]

I don't know if you want to go this route, but this guy looks like he built a box to be able to mount a LHD gearbox.

http://c10forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4395

I guess it's an option.

[SS Tim]

Remember reading an PV4 magazine article about a shop converting a new full size late 70's Jeep Wagoneer to RHD (expensive) for export down under. In the conversion they used a Chevy Blazer box mounted inside the right frame rail to mimic the factory LHD that used a box on the inside of the left frame rail. So it stands to reason a FSJ LHD P/S box would be a near bolt in change that would mount to the outside of the right frame rail.

[Russ.W.]

Thanks for the replies fellas.

Tim, I was thinking the same thing. Find a LHD car which has the steering box mounted to the inside of the frame, and that should work for me on the outside of the right frame.

Problem is the design of the boxes. Whilst the mounting is on the correct side, and the shaft and gear for the pitman are all facing the correct direction - they are on the wrong side of the box.

If you look at my image above, the steering rod is on the outside, and the pitman arm is on the inside closest to the frame. If I was to take a box from a '67 Camaro, the mounting holes are on the correct side, but the steering rod is on the inside whilst the pitman arm would be on the outside. So it won't work.


My RHD box:


67 Camaro box.




Problem with all other boxes I've seen from other manufacturers like Jeep etc, is they're all the same layout as the Camaro. Steering shaft inside, pitman outside - I need them reversed.

[Spartan]

Originally Posted by SS Tim

Remember reading an PV4 magazine article about a shop converting a new full size late 70's Jeep Wagoneer to RHD (expensive) for export down under. In the conversion they used a Chevy Blazer box mounted inside the right frame rail to mimic the factory LHD that used a box on the inside of the left frame rail. So it stands to reason a FSJ LHD P/S box would be a near bolt in change that would mount to the outside of the right frame rail.

Odd. The Jeep factory in Aus. made FSJ until 81 iirc.
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[SS Tim]

Pretty sure it was Brian Chuchuas Jeep's speciality shop. Also that it was a loaded Grand Wagoneer that the owner purchased while visiting the states and had it shipped home after being converted. IIRC there was also something like a 100% import duty too. Earlier I was just presenting something I remembered and hoped it would be a workable solution.

But it turns out Russ is right the sector shaft would be on the wrong side for his needs. Did some looking and tried to jog my memory on range Rovers and such that were avaliable as RHD and still haven't found anything "great".

[Spartan]

Chucha is one of the guys I always looked up to...still do. He took jeeps to a level few could. I also checked and I was wrong. They got partially built jeeps and converted them in the Brisbane plant. The import duty killed jeeps in Aus. The XJs were considered cars because of the unit body and got the higher tax. Something they got there in good numbers that we didn't see here were the cj-10s.
Maybe look at toyotas? Should be millions of them down there. HiLux?
I know I read about a solution somewhere but my gray matter filing system is broken.
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[Russ.W.]

A Hilux box will work in theory - everything's in the right place. Just a mtter of mounting and correct placement.

However, I'd really like to know what else this box came from, as I'd much rather use the correct gear. Plus the more info I can get on this car and it's parts, the better.

Unfortunately, the part number may be strictly for RHD pickups, so finding someone with a RHD pickup with factory PS may be my only hope.

The only thing Google brings up is a repair kit for it which includes several other steering box numbers. Unfortunately I can find info on all the other boxes mentioned - except mine (and all of them are also wrong for my C10).



I appreciate everyone's input though. It all helps.

[mrolds88]

Just saw the post. Interesting. As I was reading, My first thoughts were of the Camaro/ Chevelle type box. Then you pointed out that nasty little thing with the layout. Shoots my idea in the head. I think now I would look a a salvage yard. Obviously I would look at Holden offerings. Maybe if you were lucky you might even run into a later GM pickup with Power steering.

[Russ.W.]

G'day all!

OK, so after a bit more searching; and almost zero discovery, I've come to the conclusion that there is no power steering box replacement.

I've looked at a few South African brochures for the C10, as well as an Australian brochure - and it appears these RHD export trucks were only available with manual steering. There wasn't a power steering option at all, so it's a good guess that GM/Saginaw never actually made a power steering box for these trucks during this era.


I have however given my manual box a clean and discovered a bunch of numbers I didn't even know were there (that's how thick the rust and gunk build up was).

Can anyone shed some light on these numbers? Would love to know what they mean.

Cheers,
Russ

You can click on the first image to get a higher-res if desired.

[Katrina/10]

Did you look for 73-87 model RHD power gear boxes? I think those would interchange with your manual box. Also, you could use your manual box with the power assist external ram style steering. I think that's what 67s came with anyway.

[Spartan]

Are those A-Arms in the picture of the front end?
Sorry I can't help with numbers.
I would hazard a guess at part numbers?
Cheers
Nim
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[Russ.W.]

Originally Posted by Katrina/10

Did you look for 73-87 model RHD power gear boxes? I think those would interchange with your manual box. Also, you could use your manual box with the power assist external ram style steering. I think that's what 67s came with anyway.

The 73+ model was released here locally, and they were the brochures I was talking about. They didn't offer a power steering option for them. Manual only. Every truck I've seen has had a power steering conversion using parts from everything, cutting into the frames etc. There's no simple bolt-in option.

[Katrina/10]

Oh, I see you already thought of the 73 and later option, sorry. How about the external setup? Really these trucks steer pretty well without power steering as long as you don't have big or wide front tires.

[PanelDeland]

You might look at an American Postal Jeep.They were RHD and probably PS though I'm not sure.

[SS Tim]

Russ,
Done a lot of checking into everything I can think of as a donor. Pretty much the only thing that looks the most similar is the 800 series Saginaw boxes like I suggested earlier. As you pointed out the sector arm issue is a big one but may be workable. Here is a "go to" site for me on my Camaro steering number questions that may prove helpful if not just interesting reading for you. http://www.pozziracing.com/camaro_steering.htm
The way I see it many cars have offset steering linkage and you may be able to combine factory parts and come up with an acceptable linkage geometry.

An external ram may very well be a solution too and Corvette components would be a good source for you. Here are pictures of the stock 67 pickup setup as a reference for you.

Then of course maybe a R&P swap is going to be the only easy way.

[Russ.W.]

Great pics Tim. Thanks.

Ram assist may be my only option. Being a rare truck, I don't won't to chop anything up, and would much prefer the factory geometry. Bummer about being in this part of the world, I can't just run down to the local junkyard and take a gamble. by the time parts get to me, they cost an arm and a leg - then there's always the chance it doesn't work.

I'll stick with what I have for now, and see if I can track down a 67 ram assist setup.

Would still like to know what the numbers on the box's plate mean. I'm assuming they're on date codes etc, but still has me curious.

Thanks again to everyone for their time & help.

Cheers.

[SS Tim]

Find a local second or third generation Corvette specialist. The ram assist ran from 63-82.

Here is a rebuild thread for you to drool or dread over.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=253657

Corvette stuff for reference only
http://www.corvettemods.com/product....FaN7QgodtHoAdw

http://www.cssbinc.com/corvette-powe...sion-kits.aspx
http://www.cssbinc.com/images/ads/ho...structions.pdf
http://www.cssbinc.com/images/ads/ho...r_for_1963.pdf

[Russ.W.]

Wow. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Looks like I've found a solution. I know a couple Corvette heads down here so may be able to help if there's any parts locally.

Cheers.