47-55.1 steering upgrade - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

nvrdone · 12-09-2020, 10:08 AM

the next big project on my '49 is a steering upgrade. I still have the stock steering spaced out to clear a V8. Im thinking of using an 68 - 76 toyota pickup steering box and mounting it forward on the top of the frame rail close to the radiator. i know that will require remounting the shocks, but in thinking that should give me clearance at the back of the left head. I do have a 3" dropped axle with disc brakes. This should allow me to use a horizontal drag link.
So, has anyone done this conversion and did you use power or manual steering?
Thanks.

**mr48chev** · 12-09-2020, 11:27 PM

I snagged these shots off an F100 page where someone had posted them on a Toyota steering box thread.

I'd say you have already figured it out that it isn't going to work behind the axle with A V8 on an AD. This pretty well shows that as it is real close to the six.

Looking at that box and the splines I wonder how hard it would be to reclock the pitman arm so you could lay the box down flat on top of the frame rail when you mounted it out front. On a GM box you can file the locater splines out so you can put the arm on in any orientation. That would let you lay the box flat on a mounting plate on top of the frame and run the steering shaft straight back along the inner fender to a U joint to clean things up a bit.

nvrdone · 12-09-2020, 11:32 PM

mr 48 - hadnt thought about laying the box down flat but thats a good idea. a mounting bracket like that wouldnt be too hard to fab up. wondering if p/s would be better than a manual box. lots of things to think about. wonder why I havent seen this kind of set up before.

**mr48chev** · 12-10-2020, 04:31 PM

It will work either way but laying it flat or close to flat out front will look better and may give the back U joint a lot better angle.

12-09-2020, 10:08 AM	#1
nvrdone Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Moxee WA Posts: 1,482	steering upgrade the next big project on my '49 is a steering upgrade. I still have the stock steering spaced out to clear a V8. Im thinking of using an 68 - 76 toyota pickup steering box and mounting it forward on the top of the frame rail close to the radiator. i know that will require remounting the shocks, but in thinking that should give me clearance at the back of the left head. I do have a 3" dropped axle with disc brakes. This should allow me to use a horizontal drag link. So, has anyone done this conversion and did you use power or manual steering? Thanks. __________________ 49 chevy 3100 3 window. 327 / m21 4 spd, 12 bolt w/ 3:55's Bought in 1973 for $235.00. Had it longer than my wife & Kids!! Last edited by nvrdone; 12-09-2020 at 10:10 AM. Reason: addt info

12-09-2020, 11:27 PM	#2
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,705	Re: steering upgrade I snagged these shots off an F100 page where someone had posted them on a Toyota steering box thread. I'd say you have already figured it out that it isn't going to work behind the axle with A V8 on an AD. This pretty well shows that as it is real close to the six. Looking at that box and the splines I wonder how hard it would be to reclock the pitman arm so you could lay the box down flat on top of the frame rail when you mounted it out front. On a GM box you can file the locater splines out so you can put the arm on in any orientation. That would let you lay the box flat on a mounting plate on top of the frame and run the steering shaft straight back along the inner fender to a U joint to clean things up a bit. Attached Images __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

12-09-2020, 11:32 PM	#3
nvrdone Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Moxee WA Posts: 1,482	Re: steering upgrade mr 48 - hadnt thought about laying the box down flat but thats a good idea. a mounting bracket like that wouldnt be too hard to fab up. wondering if p/s would be better than a manual box. lots of things to think about. wonder why I havent seen this kind of set up before. __________________ 49 chevy 3100 3 window. 327 / m21 4 spd, 12 bolt w/ 3:55's Bought in 1973 for $235.00. Had it longer than my wife & Kids!!

12-10-2020, 04:31 PM	#4
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,705	Re: steering upgrade It will work either way but laying it flat or close to flat out front will look better and may give the back U joint a lot better angle. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.



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