56 chevy power steering

[Jbm1956]

Hey guys I need some advice if you could please. Im wanting to put power steering on my 1956 chevy truck and I know cpp and pol sells a basic kit that alows you to use a 69-87 chevy steering box. Is that route a good route to go with or is there something else you guys recommend. If that kit isnt good to go with is the stock steering that bad to stay with. I already have a chrome column to go with as well. Thanks guys. Ive been a member on here formally jeff56 but it wont let me log in under that anymore saying it doesnt recognize my email. So im not just coming on here and demanding answers. Thanks again guys
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[Russell Ashley]

I suggest that you stay away from the kit that mounts a Chevy truck box outside the frame in front of the axle. I have that kit and I'm not really pleased with the way my truck drives. There are different kits available that mount the box in the stock location that I think would work better, but I would save my money and put it toward a MII front end.

[Jbm1956]

Yea I was thinking of saving my money and doing that. Do you know how the stock steering is. Is it feasible to drive or do something else in the mean time
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[spinned]

CPP has a new steering box made for the TF trucks (CPP 400). There is a thread that shows a mock up with the headers. It looks like the way to go if you can work out the clearance issues...

Here is the link...
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=561046

[Jbm1956]

Yea I seen that but they want $379 for the box and you need to get a pitman arm with it. Kinda pricey in my opinion. By the time you complete the kit your at about $650
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[spinned]

By the time you complete the kit your at about $650

Well more like $1,500 because you will need an ididit steering column, steering wheel, rag joint and dash and floor brackets. Plus you may need a new header to clear the additional 2.5 inches of CPP 400 steering box width. Could save some costs by getting a tilt wheel out of some junk yard van.

I like it... but there are just too many variables and costs to find out it might not fit. Someone please mock one up with a SBC 350 and a standard engine mount that places the engine way back next to the firewall....

[Jbm1956]

Well I have to chrome tilt steering column. But sounds like its pretty pricey either way you go. How is the stock steering if I decide to stay with that
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[dubie]

you'll be fine with the stock steering as long as you don't put a tiny steering wheel on it and you keep the right size of tires up front. Just avoid parallel parking hahahha

[spinned]

Just avoid parallel parking hahahha

Yeah, I have corvette wheels on mine and turning out of the driveway from a standstill is a bit$h.

[Jbm1956]

To many decisions. I just dont want to put to much money in it doing the power steering and disc brwke kit cuz thats money that can go to a aftermarket suspension.
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[G&R's57GMC]

Change the wheels to 15x7" with a narrow radial tire on the front. Something like a 205/75R.

You'd be amazed what a difference it makes, its all about the backspace.

[yossarian19]

If you want to use the truck as a truck, you don't want any of the IFS kits I'm aware of. I'd take a look at whether the CPP 400 series box will work for you, too. The outside-the-frame kit, which I've just installed, is "ok" but limits your wheel & tire options up front. It also does nothing to improve ride quality / bump stop, though I don't think it makes things any worse either.
If it's going to be a street rod, I'd save the cash on the PS kit & brakes (plus lowering, if you want to do that) and go IFS.

[figterpilot]

hi you have two choices one is live with it like I did move the truck then turn it works and you have more feeling to the truck second you can go for a junk yard and get an old Toyota land cruiser steering box for cheap and it will fit fine in the stock place I did it on a 58 napco conversion truck it worked fine but I went back to stock for originality and it drives well if you move and then turn

[G&R's57GMC]

Oh heck, just leave it alone and drive it.

Thats called 'armstrong steering' building strong bodies in strange ways.

By the time you save enough money for the IFS you'll be strong enough to install it without using a jack.

[Jbm1956]

Lol Armstrong I like it. Ok I dont want to use the kit that bolts to the outside of the frame. Seems like theres to many issues. I will look for a toyota box if not I will just leave the stock steering in for now. Can I use my new tilt column if I leave the stock steering box or does that not work. Now would I benefit from putting the dick brake conversion kit or should I stay with the drum brakes as well. Thank you guys so much for the help.
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[G&R's57GMC]

Originally Posted by Jbm1956

Lol Armstrong I like it. ... I will look for a toyota box if not I will just leave the stock steering in for now.

Can I use my new tilt column if I leave the stock steering box or does that not work.

No, not without cutting and modifying the stock steering shaft on the box

Now would I benefit from putting the dick brake conversion kit or should I stay with the drum brakes as well. Thank you guys so much for the help.
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If it will be a long while before you go with IFS then yes do the front disc brake conversion. In the short run just rebuild the drum brakes and keep the adjusted.

BTW what is a "Dick Brake" ?

Is that something to keep Dick in line so he doesn't get in trouble ?

OR

Is it a device one uses when driving and some dick cuts you off ?

[Jbm1956]

Lol my bad too big of thumbs. Didnt even notice that. I think ill get it going and drive it. If I dont like the way it drives ill upgrade it. Im not expecting much I have the lowered straight axle and everyone tells me its going to ride like crap anyway
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[G&R's57GMC]

Well if you find that you have to make an appointment to make a stop, go ahead and install the disc brakes.

[55dude]

The toyota conversion works great. My buddy has it on his 56 and it steers great with the 235-15's he runs. The ccp kit is junk in my opinion as the one I have seen makes the front tire rub on box, poor idea and huge rip off!

[roger55]

Originally Posted by 55dude

The toyota conversion works great. My buddy has it on his 56 and it steers great with the 235-15's he runs. The ccp kit is junk in my opinion as the one I have seen makes the front tire rub on box, poor idea and huge rip off!

That's probably why CPP decided to offer a kit with a totally new box (400) that mounts in the original location.

I'm mocking mine up right now. I'm going with ramhorn manifolds and as you can see they fit great. I did have a set of block hugger headers and the fit was too tight for me so I decided to go this route. I think they're are some headers out there that would fit fine if a person had to have them.
I've got an Ididit shift version tilt column that I will put in for a mock-up very soon.

[roger55]

Originally Posted by roger55

...
I've got an Ididit shift version tilt column that I will put in for a mock-up very soon.

I figured I might as well do that today:

[1project2many]

Thats called 'armstrong steering' building strong bodies in strange ways.

Back when I drove my truck every day I could go 8-10 hrs on that manual steering no problem, when whip int a parking lot and spin the wheel around like it was power assist. I might put 300 miles a year on it now and after just a two hr drive my shoulders are sore. What a wuss!

I've been seriously considering trying to use / modify a C3 Corvette system. It's the old "power assist" system, like original, with a separately mounted cylinder and control valve. You can find complete systems fairly cheap if you're patient. The Toyota conversion looks great but I'm not interested in cutting up or changing my steering column.

Interesting tidbit: While Chevrolet used a piston and valve for power steering, the 56 GMC I bought years ago had an actual modern design power steering box made by Safety. It worked very well.

[Katrina/10]

Those ram horn manifolds are perfect for that job! where did they come from?

[roger55]

Originally Posted by Katrina/10

Those ram horn manifolds are perfect for that job! where did they come from?

Yes. Like I said, I'm impressed with them. The castings are pretty darn smooth and overall the quality seems excellent. I've seen some other repros where the castings look really rough.

Also, standard 2 1/2" header collector reducers will bolt up to these.

I got them on ebay from this guy:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/380642060653...84.m1439.l2649

[Katrina/10]

Nice! Thanks for the link.