Want to add variable ratio power steering - How to do ???

[Green Machine]

Some back ground - I added power steering to my 68 C10 2wd many years ago, got complete setup from a 71 C10. Works great but the power assist is almost TOO good, steering feel is pretty light.

Now I would like to add power steering to my 1970 C10 2wd, but I would like less power assist feel, more road feel, harder to turn that is. I've heard that a variable ratio box from a newer truck would fit, but does the varible ratio ususally have better road feel ??? I know there are valves in box also that control assit but I'm not going to mess with that.

For comparision, the power sterring in my 88 C10 2wd feels about right, little stiffer, but I don't know if that is variable or not.

So - having said all that, I need to look for a power steering box from a what ???

And pump, brackets, and hoses from short water pump 68-72 or what ???

Any and other gotchas you can think of ??? Thanks in advance.

[crazy longhorn]

I have a metric box from an 84 Burb on my longhorn.....my understanding is that it is a variable ratio box. The thing has a good road feel,(not "spooky" @ speed), is much more pleasant to drive than the stock box was. its been a while since the swap, but here goes...... I used the pump/hoses/box from the burb. my 69 has the sb in I6 position, & runs a 73-up long waterpump(pretty much bolt on for my app). The metric box is O -ring vs flarenut on the hoses on the older trucks, so you may need some custom hoses to do the swap if you are running the 68-72 style pump. Also, watch the pitman arm......Im pretty sure I used the arm with the metric box, but its been a while. Maybe someone else has done the swap recently, & will chime in.....best of luck, L

[Longhorn Man]

The variable rate is a good upgrade, and if not mistaken, 73 - 87 has it, and is a direct bolt on...with the exception of the metric fittings 76ish to 87.
However, the box will do nothing for the 'feel' you describe. The valve in the pump is what you need to address. The spring in yours may well be simply worn and need replaceing.
i was rather shocked when I discovered that the Caddy pump in my one ton did not over assist the steering. If anything, it is actually a little firmer than the trucks were in stock form... which is fine with me.

[Custom 68]

now when I swapped my new motor in (2002 truck 5.3) I unscrewed the fitting on the pump and replaced it with my old one off my original Power steering pump. It seems to work ok was this ok to do?

[Longhorn Man]

Custom... neon lary was here last weekend, and he was telling me that is how he chainged his metric pump (serpintine belt set up... late model) to standard fittings.
So I'll say yup, perfectly fine.

[Custom 68]

Thanks Andy, it seems to be working ok the "plug" or fitting I removed looked a bit different but like I said it is working.
Dave