67-68-69 4x4 with factory powersteering?

[John Fabris]

Hi all,

I have a 4x4 3/4 suburban, and it is manual brakes and manual steering, which my wife refuses to drive. So, I have already converted it to power brakes, but now I need to find out how to convert it to power steering.
Did any of the 67-68 4x4 come from the factory with power steering? If so, does anyone have pictures of what I need to find to make this happen?

[BobS]

67-68 4X4s weren't available with PS. One of the guys on the 60-66 GMC List cut out the section of frame (68 truck) where the steering box mounts and welded in a piece from a later truck to mount the power steering box. There may be other ways as well.

Bob

[67-72williso]

John
You might be able to use a 67-68 C- series P.S. box with a cross over steering set up. Just a thought.
Later Willis

[qksilver]

I have convert my 68 Burb to P/S and left my 67 factory.
I went with the way WES did his, heat the frame and dimple it for clearance. Let it cool slowly.
The other way is to buy the bracket kit, it is fine for 4X4 no bump steer, 2 wheel is different.
Or we could swap for my 72 2 wheel drive burb!
Steve

[Coleman]

I put power steering in my 68 K20 4x4. You can buy a mounting kit from CPP and use pretty much any 4x4 saganaw steering box. Peiople claim the mounting kit will throw off your steering but if your frame doesnt have dimples it will line up just about perfect. You will need to drill a couple of holes and the pitman arm ends up pretty close to your front leaf springs, at least it did on mine. I have the old close knuckle front end and ended up making a new drag link but your setup might be different. Just my $.02$ worth.

[Coleman]

I forgot to mention that you'll probably need new pullies to go along with your PS brackets. It really depends on if you have a short style water pump.

[John Fabris]

Coleman, so you used the 60-66 powersteering conversion kit from CCP?

I will be using a factory 402 big block complete with all of its accessories from a 71 gmc longhorn to put into the 4x4 67 burb, and in your posting you say any sag 4x4 steering box, but on CCP page, they say the conversion kit uses 2wd gearbox...

[Coleman]

Of course now I can't find my original receipt but the kit looks like the one I have. My notes say part #76178 but I can't find that on CPP either, looks like I had talked with Chuck at CPP. My frame didn't have the dimples so the kit made it easier to setup. My steering column is a straight single shaft, no couplings so lining up the gearbox took some time. I also have the short style water pump (327 small block) which requires a different PS bracket, which required a 3 row crank pulley, which required a new water pump pulley, which required a new PS pump pulley, etc, etc. I got all the pullies from Old Air along with the PS bracket. My guess your bigblock will be different but much easier IMO.

heres a link:
http://www.classicperform.com/tech_a...tOldSchool.htm

[qksilver]

I think you will find that the kit is listed for 2 wheel drives...........that why the 2 wheel drive box. From what I have messed with the only difference, besides valving is the pitman arms. I bought a 4x4 burb frame from Doc on the board and it has P/S on it from a 72. All they did was to drill holes for the mounts, used 3/8 heavy steel spacers the usde a piece of a later model frame, cut out, as a reinforcement on the inside of the no dimple frame. Grade eight bolts, lock tight,
The big block , other than usual fitment problems, just use the complete bracket asm's, P/S. A/C, Water pump and Alt. Clearance wise should fit between the frame rails, use later model P/S hoses(73-until) metric started and exhaust and firewall clearance...........I have read many different threads..........have fun
Steve

[John Fabris]

qksilver, what front axel do you have? I have the dana44 with closed knuckels, and the gearbox arm comes out the side. Do you have pictures to show me what you are talking about?

[qksilver]

My 68 burb 1/2 4X4 has open knuckles(factory) and my 68 4X4 frame has 72 front and rear axles with 87 trans and case. Now my 67 SWB 1/2 4x4 is original and has the closed knuckle front end.
I am leaving for a few days in the morning and don't have the time to go to the shop until I get back(Thursday).
I think in the long run , especially with the big block you will want to go to the open knuckle front end. Since the swap won't be factory I would upgrade the front end. The 205 isn't factory either but almost bullet proof, much better than the rockwell transfer case because parts are cheaper and more available.
I am in the process of swapping 87 3/4 axles on the 68 frame, the front axle will still be a 44 but with 8 lug disc and a 14 bolt rear.
I have a few projects that I am working a little bit at a time. Did all the parts gathering this year. I also just finished moving from 3 different places to one shop with outside storage.
I will take pix when I get back. Too bad you weren't closer, I have a lot of parts that would swap well to you using a big block, for your 67 tow truck. But being on opposite coasts..........
thanks,
Steve

[John Fabris]

So if I choose to change the front axel, would this be a good one to get?

craigslist link

[scotto0609]

I hope this helps but I used to own a original 69 3/4 ton surburban with a 4 speed p/s and p/b. Were the frames different on the 69 too?

[jerry moss]

John,
i've done this swap a few times for people, call me and i'll give you the info for swapping it out (925) 634-2512. BTW--67-69 4x4s all had closed knuckle dana 44s if it's factory, 70 had open knuckle with drum brakes, and 71 on up had open knuckle with discs. hope this helps.