Putting in power steering to strong arm steering

[truckin 79]

My dad recently gave me his truck and it came with no power steering. So I know I need steering box and power steering plus brackets. It also seems like I need crank pulley and water pump pulley. Anything else I need? Will the parts have to be from a 79 truck? My dads truck came with weird options like th400 transmission, 8 leaf rear springs, cruise control and of course no power steering. Oh it is 79 1/2 ton short bed with a 350

[enaberif]

Any Gen I power steering setup will work. Water pump will need a minimum of 2 groove pulley and you'll need a 2 groove harmonic pully as well.

If you have AC then that will change things also.

[truckin 79]

Is gen I 73-87 and are drag links the same for power steering box and non power steering units? Also will steering shaft that is connected to steering wheel bolt up the same? Is the pitman arm the same as well?

[truckin 79]

I dont know why anyone would want to order a truck without power steering. Also anyone know if this is a stock fan? Did most trucks come with a thermal fan clutch?

[enaberif]

That fan is stock I have the same one.

[greg64]

truckin, I have some experience with this on my truck. The pitman arms are different, but the drag link is the same. The rag joint on the steering shaft is the same too.

When looking for boxes and pumps, keep in mind that there are two different pressure hose end styles. The earlier ones use a flare similar to brake lines. The later ones are metric and have an o-ring.

[El Dorado Jim]

Originally Posted by greg64

truckin, I have some experience with this on my truck. The pitman arms are different, but the drag link is the same. The rag joint on the steering shaft is the same too.

When looking for boxes and pumps, keep in mind that there are two different pressure hose end styles. The earlier ones use a flare similar to brake lines. The later ones are metric and have an o-ring.

yes, get a box and pump from the same rig, that way they will match,get all the brackets, pulleys and belts at the same time....use the belts to take to the auto parts store to match up for new ones and carry the old ones as spares.