1967 K20 Powersteering Upgrade

[Chaparralman1974]

Well, I have decided to move forward with the upgrade to power steering on my K20. I have had my fill of manual steering now. LOL!

I will also be swapping out the front axle for a later model "Big Hub" dana 44 so I can get the benefit of disc brakes and a better turning radius as well. I plan to use Captain Fab's mounting bracket and a brand new Borgeson quick ratio steering box.

I purchased the CPP power steering pump and bracket (https://www.summitracing.com/parts/CLP-PS301-S) but this interferes with the lower alternator mounting bar. My alternator bolts to the front of the driver side exhaust manifold. With the pump mounted there, you can't get the cap off of the pump to check the fluid. Can anyone tell me which factory power steering bracket would be correct for my setup?


Thanks, Clay

[Jason Banks]

Since nobody is giving you answers, I want to bump you back to the top and harass you about quitting on the strong arm steering. Your going to end up with wimpy arms...

Looked in the parts book and it appears that 3786870 and 3905366 are what you need to mount the pump..

[Jason Banks]

3858138 looks like another part.. and some studs 5689546

Or this looks like it may work - https://www.ebay.com/itm/167291144750

['68OrangeSunshine]

I had a hell of a time trying to put Power Steering on my '67 K/10 Suburban.
The model year 1967 and 1968 used a Power Assisted Steering set up, with hydraulic boost actuators assisting a manual steering box. Since this system was also used on vintage Corvettes, it has become scarce and impossibly expensive.

While I can't speak for K/20s, '67 K/10s have a steering arm that swings Fore and Aft, while C/ trucks swing Left to Right.
We tried brute force to use a P/S gearbox off a '69 C/10 Panel Truck -- shortened the drag link -- put spacers between the driver-side frame rail and the 3 gearbox mount -- but it didn't work right.
Steering geometry was all wrong. I needed an illegal swing left from the middle southbound lane to land on the right lane northbound. Right turns were OK.
Hydraulics were so strong that Grade 8 bolts mounting the gearbox to the frame would be sheared off, or loosened.
When I decided to unfu(# it, I never got Factory steering geometry back. It still turned like a pig.
My solution for my '67 K/10 will be to put a '71 or later Dana 44 front axle with power steering and power disc brakes on my front end.

Possibly for the K/20, a similar solution with a Dana 60 from a later K/20 would do the same.

Not an easy fix for the 1967 year.

Semper Fi.

[Chaparralman1974]

Originally Posted by Jason Banks

Since nobody is giving you answers, I want to bump you back to the top and harass you about quitting on the strong arm steering. Your going to end up with wimpy arms...

Looked in the parts book and it appears that 3786870 and 3905366 are what you need to mount the pump..

The Popeye look isn't for me.....hahaha!

Thanks Jason! I will search for those.


Clay

[Chaparralman1974]

Originally Posted by '68OrangeSunshine

I had a hell of a time trying to put Power Steering on my '67 K/10 Suburban.
The model year 1967 and 1968 used a Power Assisted Steering set up, with hydraulic boost actuators assisting a manual steering box. Since this system was also used on vintage Corvettes, it has become scarce and impossibly expensive.

While I can't speak for K/20s, '67 K/10s have a steering arm that swings Fore and Aft, while C/ trucks swing Left to Right.
We tried brute force to use a P/S gearbox off a '69 C/10 Panel Truck -- shortened the drag link -- put spacers between the driver-side frame rail and the 3 gearbox mount -- but it didn't work right.
Steering geometry was all wrong. I needed an illegal swing left from the middle southbound lane to land on the right lane northbound. Right turns were OK.
Hydraulics were so strong that Grade 8 bolts mounting the gearbox to the frame would be sheared off, or loosened.
When I decided to unfu(# it, I never got Factory steering geometry back. It still turned like a pig.
My solution for my '67 K/10 will be to put a '71 or later Dana 44 front axle with power steering and power disc brakes on my front end.

Possibly for the K/20, a similar solution with a Dana 60 from a later K/20 would do the same.

Not an easy fix for the 1967 year.

Semper Fi.

Yeah, I have the same issue with my K20 and the steering setup. I believe that the K10/20 axles are actually the same except for the knuckles outward. I did end up getting my hands on an open knuckle dana 44 out of a 1976 K20, so the plan will be to swap out the entire thing. I am also planning on reinforcing the frame behind the PS box adapter plate.

Clay

[Jason Banks]

Looking at your VIN on the frame... your truck came off the Fremont assembly line about 2500 after mine

[Chaparralman1974]

Originally Posted by Jason Banks

Looking at your VIN on the frame... your truck came off the Fremont assembly line about 2500 after mine

I actually found remnants of the original build sheet under the seat. It rolled off the assembly line at the Fremont plant on 12/16/1966.

Does yours have the flat frame where the steering box mounts? I believe that the 4x4's all had a flat frame and that the 2WD's in some cases were flat and in other cases had raised bosses for the steering box but no dimple. As near as I can tell, the 67 K series frames were more like the 63-66 frames vs. the 68-72 frames.


Clay

[Jason Banks]

Yes it is completely flat on the K20, I have a Janesville Built 1967 C10 that I have been working on that has the dimples in the frame and had factory power steering. When I replaced the steering gear I needed a washer thickness for the new box to mount flat. I also have a 1968 built in Fremont in October 1967 that needed some BIG spacers to mount the power steering gear. So strange...

[Jason Banks]

That's great to know about the build date on yours. I knew my K20 was a pretty early build I think from the 'build date thread' I had it narrowed down to October/November 1966. Dealer must have ordered mine to show off since it's a CST and pretty heavily optioned...

[pickupman]

Try ro find an original set of power steering pump brackets fron a 69-72 2wd or 4wd. they will bolt onto those lower holes and give you clearance. try yo get pullies too. Usually some on the parts board.

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by Chaparralman1974

Yeah, I have the same issue with my K20 and the steering setup. I believe that the K10/20 axles are actually the same except for the knuckles outward. I did end up getting my hands on an open knuckle dana 44 out of a 1976 K20, so the plan will be to swap out the entire thing. I am also planning on reinforcing the frame behind the PS box adapter plate.

Clay

Then that should work and get you P/S and Power Disc Brakes.

OBTW, Coleman's Military Surplus in PA, 888-478-7758
colemans.com
Is offering Chevy/GMC USGI surplus Front Axle Assemblies [for Squarebodies]
New on pallet. $695.00

The killer would be shippimg.

[Chaparralman1974]

Originally Posted by Jason Banks

That's great to know about the build date on yours. I knew my K20 was a pretty early build I think from the 'build date thread' I had it narrowed down to October/November 1966. Dealer must have ordered mine to show off since it's a CST and pretty heavily optioned...

Your truck is a unicorn for sure.....I doubt there were many K20's ever optioned that way as most of them were work trucks.


Clay

[Chaparralman1974]

Originally Posted by pickupman

Try ro find an original set of power steering pump brackets fron a 69-72 2wd or 4wd. they will bolt onto those lower holes and give you clearance. try yo get pullies too. Usually some on the parts board.

I ended up finding some that I believe were used in 4x4's on ebay. I did some more searching on the forums and came up with these.

I have a dual groove pulley that I hope will work.


I am hoping that these fit.


Clay

[Chaparralman1974]

Originally Posted by '68OrangeSunshine

Then that should work and get you P/S and Power Disc Brakes.

OBTW, Coleman's Military Surplus in PA, 888-478-7758
colemans.com
Is offering Chevy/GMC USGI surplus Front Axle Assemblies [for Squarebodies]
New on pallet. $695.00

The killer would be shippimg.

That is a pretty good deal....unfortunately, they look to be for K5's and not K20's. Still......that is a cool site. I love surplus stuff. Maybe I can convince the wife to take a road trip. LOL


Clay

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by Chaparralman1974

That is a pretty good deal....unfortunately, they look to be for K5's and not K20's. Still......that is a cool site. I love surplus stuff. Maybe I can convince the wife to take a road trip. LOL


Clay

OK. I see they are for the Military K/5 now. [Would work for me with a gear ring change to 3.73]. A couple of years ago I thought they had 3/4 ton units. Why I wasn't as interested.
Shipping may be double the part price: PA to AZ.

A few years ago, I talked to a junker on the south side of Tucson who had stacks of 3/4 ton front ends for low prices.
I was not interested in going to 3/4 ton axles. [In fact I have a Fleetside 8' trailer with 8-lug wheels, I wish I could change to 6-lug.]
Sorry I don't recall who.
You might check out Tucson Craigslist.

[Chaparralman1974]

Originally Posted by '68OrangeSunshine

OK. I see they are for the Military K/5 now. [Would work for me with a gear ring change to 3.73]. A couple of years ago I thought they had 3/4 ton units. Why I wasn't as interested.
Shipping may be double the part price: PA to AZ.

A few years ago, I talked to a junker on the south side of Tucson who had stacks of 3/4 ton front ends for low prices.
I was not interested in going to 3/4 ton axles. [In fact I have a Fleetside 8' trailer with 8-lug wheels, I wish I could change to 6-lug.]
Sorry I don't recall who.
You might check out Tucson Craigslist.

I think I know the guy down in Tucson....been a few years though.

I actually found an axle so I am all set. It did come with 4.10's in it, so I am not sure if I will regear the front to 4.56's or find a new Eaton with 4.11's. As this truck is a pavement queen, it doesn't really matter that much yet as the 4x4 will never be used.


Clay

[Jason Banks]

I find my truck goes 65mph pretty comfortably, with the 292 and 4.56 gears. It will go 70 down hill. Wondering how your 327 does?

[Chaparralman1974]

Originally Posted by Jason Banks

I find my truck goes 65mph pretty comfortably, with the 292 and 4.56 gears. It will go 70 down hill. Wondering how your 327 does?

We should get together and race them! LOL!!

At 70 that 327 is screaming at over 3000RPM. You can really hear the quadrajet roar. But it is drowned out by the screaming of the transfercase. It reminds me of "Sonar" in the movie "Down Periscope" when he is making whale sounds......


Clay