Manual Steering Downgrade Question

[Gregski]

Would it be dumb of me to downgrade my '74 V8 2WD manual non ACed short bed truck to a manual steering box? It has 15x7 wheels so nothing big and wide.

Why do I want to do such a thing?

In the spirit of hot rodding I am wondering what it would drive / handle like, and less parts means less parts to break / leak.

My buddy recently picked up a '73 Dodge 4x4 truck with manual steering only and it drives fine, he says, though I haven't driven it yet, and it has large mud tires.

So is there a manual steering box I can just bolt right up or are we talking brain surgery and retrofitting here?

[69heavychevy]

I had manual steering and brakes in my 69 and absolutely hated it! Not much steering effort is required when going 20+ mph, but try parking in a tight spot and your going to wish you had Popeye forearms.
Sealing up a leaky steering gear is fairly simple, there's a sticky in the FAQ's section.
Unless your going to be strictly hotrodding/track/strip, I'd recommend you keep the power steering.

[D13]

I have manual steering trucks with lihgter weight inlines. Work great rolling. Parking lot sucks. Ratios are generallly slower. On a drag truck yes, on a cruiser, no, on a road racer, replace the enteire suspansion and go rack and pinion.

[Keith Seymore]

If you are "on the cheap" you can just eliminate all of the power steering stuff (pump, hoses, bracketry and belts) and leave the steering gear in place. You can't just plug the ports in the gear but if you make a short loop from one port to the other it will allow the fluid to continue to move around.

I've had this set up on my Chevelle drag car for probably 30 years or so.

But - I wouldn't recommend it for you. If your system is working I'd just leave it. It's not like you are trying to shave another tenth off your quarter mile ET on the street.

K

[enaberif]

Don't do it.. your not driving a civic. These big trucks need functioning power steering.

[truckin 79]

I just switched from manual to power and would not ever go back. Just like everyone has said turning in a parking spot is an all out work out. I feel like I tamed the beast putting in power steering. Now all this thing needs is AC................that and rust control paint job, shocks, carb rebuild, new hood and hinges

[andrewmp6]

Free way speeds it won't matter but around town and parking youll miss the power steering.

[KQQL IT]

Mines manual, like it fine.

[1976gmc20]

We had a 1977 C-10 suburban with manual steering box and it was horrible to drive at low speeds

Not only that, but the box completely wore out and we had to replace it at $300+ back in the late nineties. Before that, the steering had so much play that turning the wheel while driving a straight road was merely a "suggestion" as to where the truck might go, although once in a curve it was okay.

[lilpoindexter]

My truck had a manual box when I got it. it sucked. leaks can be fixed easily with new hoses. The only weight you are adding is a pump, hoses, brackets, pulleys and a fan belt...it wont make a difference on a street truck.

[TwoFiftyShifter]

Even with 225 series tires and a 6 banger, it could be an arm workout.