are there any benefits to switching from power steering to manual steering

[1974ChevyC10]

on my truck as of late ive been having some troubles with the power steering.the pump is bad and since my uncle built me a fairly powerful motor im wondering if it would be of benefit to eliminate the power steering.how much would a non power steering gearbox cost approx?how hard is it to swap over.other than weight savings and power gains due to eliminating drag on the motor are there any benefits to this.my friend used to have a 77 chevy without power steering and when it was moving it didnt seem any harder to drive than a power steering equipped truck.at a standstill it was kinda hard to steer but thats not surprising.any tips or input would be great.thanks in advance

[Palf70Step]

You'll build up your arm muscles with ion town drving, especially if ou go with large low profile tires. Changre isn't that hard, I'm doing the oppositre at moment so I don't know how much it might entail. You are inbetter shape, because you'll be eliminating the pump. Might need a different size belt depending on your set up. You'll need the manual box and the arm for the manual box (pittman I think is the official name). Unbolt, rebolt and check you alignment.

[1974ChevyC10]

im pretty strong as it is but an arm workout never hurt.i figure on needing a shorter belt and obviously the manual box.a friend of mine said i could put a quick ratio manual box from a chevelle onto my truck.im not sure if that would work as im sure the pitman arms may be different from chevelle to truck.my truck has 31x10.50 tires on 15x9 rims.

[white82]

better control, with a few less horsepower is better than more horsepower with less control to me just my 2 cents

[1974ChevyC10]

i have nothing against having power steering it justs giving me hell on this truck no matter what so im getting a little tired of it so i figure ill eliminate the problem all together.ill keep all the power steering stuff if i ever decide to go back to it later on down the road.

[oldsub86]

Just fix the power steering.
Non-power is much slower steering. There are more turns of the wheel lock to lock in order to make it so that an average driver can manage it. You won't notice it on the highway but you will in any tight manoevering. I have been collecting parts to put power steering on my old truck. I find it difficult to park in the garage without power steering. It steers so slow that you have to judge the point to turn much better or else back up and try again. Stick with power steering is my advice.

[784X4GUY]

I agree with oldsub86 I would just stay at it and get it fixed. Then you won't have to worry bout anything. Good luck with it...Later Mike

[jimfulco]

Car boxes won't work on a truck. They mount on the wrong side.