front end swap question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

walker · 08-08-2005, 11:18 PM

I am just about done with my front end rebuild and have a few minor questions to clear up. I decided to switch to the newer style power steering, had the old ram set up on my '67. The front end is one I bought out of a 71, with disk brakes and manual steering. I bought the new box but I have no power steering pitman arm so I will need to get that. Does the power steering pitman arm fit on the manual steering center link for 71-72? Also, do I need to get a new rag joint, and if so do I just buy one for 71-72 power steering?
Now for the biggie, how do I go about setting the front end up for the drive to the alignment shop. I live about 35 miles from the nearest place and don't want to kill myself, or wear out my tires on the way. I can rig up a couple of levels for the top to bottom of the wheel and make up a sort of out rigger to set toe in/out, but is that enough or is there more I can do?
Thanks, Andy.

JimKshortstep4x4 · 08-09-2005, 07:33 AM

It sounds like you will be able to get your front end drivable to the alignment shop. Once you have it together, drive it on a short trip to see if it is reasonable to drive. If you are off a little it will wear your tires faster but 35 miles should be ok. If you are putting new tires on it, you may want to install
some old tires so that they take the wear, (have the shop put your new tires on).

Our alignment shop is (7) miles away and we have had to set up lots of front ends for the drive over. Sometimes we are not very close but everything still worked ok. A word of caution on the drag link. It will go on either way so make sure the tie rod ends are on the inside, (between the frame and drag link). I put one together the other way and it does not steer well !

Good luck!

JIm

krue · 08-09-2005, 07:51 AM

Trailer.

Tx Firefighter · 08-09-2005, 08:14 AM

The rag joint itself is the same (the rubber biscuit). The metal coupler that it bolts to on the steering box shaft is different though.

The pitman arms are different between power and non power boxes.

The center link is the same, at least on 68 and newer trucks I know, I've never done a 67.

tomatocity · 08-09-2005, 11:46 AM

Not to take anything away from our members knowledge base but this weekend I came across Jim of Big Block Chevy Parts and Small Block Chevy Parts. This guy knows his steering, pulleys, etc. He was discussing the different steering box to steering shaft connections with a guy needing a manual box connector. Here is his information.

Jim
Big Block Chevy Parts and Small Block Chevy Parts
eBay: gotpulley
eMail: bigblockjim454@cox.net
480 981-3096 home
602 751-0454 cell

Jakes-66-K10 · 08-09-2005, 11:56 AM

Walker, if you are removing your old PS setup I may be interested in it (depending on price) I have a '67 and a '66 that use the old ram assist style steering.

tomatocity · 08-09-2005, 11:58 AM

Andy, I just realized the Jim is in Phoenix.

walker · 08-09-2005, 08:11 PM

Very cool, thanks for all the help. After I get it installed I take it for a test drive, I guess if it squeals I'll pull it back in the garage and have another go at it till I get it close enough.
BTW, the old ram steering is not worth rebuilding and saving. For the price of rebuilding it you could have a later model gear. You would still need a pump and brackets, as I am reusing mine, and hoses. So you would spend a couple hundred in rebuilding an old style system, or have a newer close ratio steering (that old system is still 6 turns stop to stop).

Jakes-66-K10 · 08-10-2005, 08:50 AM

Actually, the part that I really need is not the ram, but the control valve that the four hoses attached to. Is this part in decent shape?

walker · 08-11-2005, 07:52 PM

Sorry, the control valve leaks too. They are available at Checker, NAPA, etc. just look them up for a 70's corvette.

08-08-2005, 11:18 PM	#1
walker Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: north of Phx AZ about 30 miles Posts: 698	front end swap question I am just about done with my front end rebuild and have a few minor questions to clear up. I decided to switch to the newer style power steering, had the old ram set up on my '67. The front end is one I bought out of a 71, with disk brakes and manual steering. I bought the new box but I have no power steering pitman arm so I will need to get that. Does the power steering pitman arm fit on the manual steering center link for 71-72? Also, do I need to get a new rag joint, and if so do I just buy one for 71-72 power steering? Now for the biggie, how do I go about setting the front end up for the drive to the alignment shop. I live about 35 miles from the nearest place and don't want to kill myself, or wear out my tires on the way. I can rig up a couple of levels for the top to bottom of the wheel and make up a sort of out rigger to set toe in/out, but is that enough or is there more I can do? Thanks, Andy. __________________ Andy,Phx AZ '67 C-10 (Ahhh, done at last. Well there is that disk front end I want to put in and...) "23 C-Cab-sold '48 Ford 8N tractor(still working) '67 Scout(Now on the road) '70 MG B.-sold

08-09-2005, 07:51 AM	#3
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,448	Trailer. __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

08-09-2005, 08:14 AM	#4
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	The rag joint itself is the same (the rubber biscuit). The metal coupler that it bolts to on the steering box shaft is different though. The pitman arms are different between power and non power boxes. The center link is the same, at least on 68 and newer trucks I know, I've never done a 67. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin Last edited by Tx Firefighter; 08-09-2005 at 08:15 AM.

08-09-2005, 11:46 AM	#5
tomatocity Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Sacramento CA Posts: 1,255	Not to take anything away from our members knowledge base but this weekend I came across Jim of Big Block Chevy Parts and Small Block Chevy Parts. This guy knows his steering, pulleys, etc. He was discussing the different steering box to steering shaft connections with a guy needing a manual box connector. Here is his information. Jim Big Block Chevy Parts and Small Block Chevy Parts eBay: gotpulley eMail: bigblockjim454@cox.net 480 981-3096 home 602 751-0454 cell __________________ Got bored, sold everthing. Got bored, looking for a 1960-66 C-10. Want to build my last truck.

08-09-2005, 11:58 AM	#7
tomatocity Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Sacramento CA Posts: 1,255	Andy, I just realized the Jim is in Phoenix. __________________ Got bored, sold everthing. Got bored, looking for a 1960-66 C-10. Want to build my last truck.

08-09-2005, 07:33 AM	#2
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	It sounds like you will be able to get your front end drivable to the alignment shop. Once you have it together, drive it on a short trip to see if it is reasonable to drive. If you are off a little it will wear your tires faster but 35 miles should be ok. If you are putting new tires on it, you may want to install some old tires so that they take the wear, (have the shop put your new tires on). Our alignment shop is (7) miles away and we have had to set up lots of front ends for the drive over. Sometimes we are not very close but everything still worked ok. A word of caution on the drag link. It will go on either way so make sure the tie rod ends are on the inside, (between the frame and drag link). I put one together the other way and it does not steer well ! Good luck! JIm

08-09-2005, 11:56 AM	#6
Jakes-66-K10 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Idaho Posts: 640	Walker, if you are removing your old PS setup I may be interested in it (depending on price) I have a '67 and a '66 that use the old ram assist style steering.

08-09-2005, 08:11 PM	#8
walker Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: north of Phx AZ about 30 miles Posts: 698	Very cool, thanks for all the help. After I get it installed I take it for a test drive, I guess if it squeals I'll pull it back in the garage and have another go at it till I get it close enough. BTW, the old ram steering is not worth rebuilding and saving. For the price of rebuilding it you could have a later model gear. You would still need a pump and brackets, as I am reusing mine, and hoses. So you would spend a couple hundred in rebuilding an old style system, or have a newer close ratio steering (that old system is still 6 turns stop to stop). __________________ Andy,Phx AZ '67 C-10 (Ahhh, done at last. Well there is that disk front end I want to put in and...) "23 C-Cab-sold '48 Ford 8N tractor(still working) '67 Scout(Now on the road) '70 MG B.-sold

08-10-2005, 08:50 AM	#9
Jakes-66-K10 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Idaho Posts: 640	Actually, the part that I really need is not the ram, but the control valve that the four hoses attached to. Is this part in decent shape?

08-11-2005, 07:52 PM	#10
walker Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: north of Phx AZ about 30 miles Posts: 698	Sorry, the control valve leaks too. They are available at Checker, NAPA, etc. just look them up for a 70's corvette. __________________ Andy,Phx AZ '67 C-10 (Ahhh, done at last. Well there is that disk front end I want to put in and...) "23 C-Cab-sold '48 Ford 8N tractor(still working) '67 Scout(Now on the road) '70 MG B.-sold



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