Hello everybody, I have a 1950 Chevy panel truck and wanna put power steering in it for engine clearance reasons. I have the pump, box, drag link, and both steering arms(steering box and axle arm) what I don’t have is the triangle bracket or the spacers. I have the ability and and material to make some pieces but not the measurements can anyone help me? Thanks all in advance. Happy Memorial Day to everyone and please everyone take a moment to remember everyone who has served and didn’t make it home Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Yeah that’s what I’m doing for a small block Chevy. See the little triangle bracket on the top of the frame that’s the one I’m trying to find Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
the picture is a 55-59 truck. The power steering setup like that has a very short drag link, so the angles on the linkage get pretty funky at full turn...I've heard that guys have trouble with them, it's not a very good setup. I have a 59 truck that I've had for decades, the manual steering has never been difficult enough that I would try that setup. But if you can find a picture of the setup on a 47-55 truck, then you could probably see where the box has to sit, and make the bracket yourself. That short drag link...hmmm.....
You have to make it if you didn't buy a kit with it in it. I snagged these photos off this 1947-59 Power Steering Installation - Brothers Classic Truck Parts (brotherstrucks.com) link where Brothers shows how to install the box. Note that they put what looks like a 5/16 plate between the box and frame rail and no kit I know of has that plate. As for the triangle piece you will probably have to mount the box. make a pattern make the piece tack it in place, remove the box, weld the tab in solid and clean things up, and either paint it to match the frame or bolt the box on and call it good . Several guys on the 47/59 section of the Chevy truck board have installed them but I'll have to spend more time searching for a thread by one of them. The only issues I have heard about are when guys run big ugly billet wheels and wide tires and the tires rub.
I appreciate everyone and I went to the link that mr48chevy offered up and was able to get it mostly on. I used the spacers off a different 50 Chevy truck axle I had lying around and found an upper bracket of sorts. So again thank you all.
I would go over the whole front suspension, take it all apart then clean and grease everything. Make sure you flush all the old grease out. Old grease can cause hard steering. I've seen it like J.B.Weld without enough hardener I would look for a new steering box, one with a faster ratio. Check out Lee though I never bought a manual box from them. Make sure the box is centered with the trucks steering linkage. Also make sure the box was set up properly. Next is the alignment. Never align manual steering with power steering specs. Keep caster as low as possible. The manual box will keep everything tight. I would only use 2 maybe 3 degrees positive caster, .25 negative camber, toe in 1/16 to 1/8...
What does all of that have to do with his actual question? He has the normal AD Chevy truck steering box and V8 exhaust clearance problem and at the same time wants power steering along with not cobbling up the stock steering to get clearance and is well on his way to doing that.
Elcohaulic. I intend to do all of the cleaning and greasing of everything just not because steering is hard. Actually to be honest I never knew that old grease could cause problems. Aside from the collecting dust and wearing parts weird. So I do appreciate the knowledge. Mr48chevy you are also a wealth of information and I appreciate that as well. You are correct I am going to have steering exhaust clearance problems which is really the main reason I wanna use a power steering box. It is a big heavy panel truck and I assume that with a v8 in it it will be that much heavier
@WastedYouth666 As to the weight gain you are expecting from the small block Chevy V8, you are misinformed. The SBC is lighter than any of the old Chevy 216/235/261 six cylinder engines by up to 50 lbs, depending on particulars. And , if wanting to use factory cast iron manifolds, there is a stock GM manifold that clears the stock steering column on AD trucks. I have personally witnessed several such installations by a long time friend of mine. However, it appears you are well on your way to installing the power steering and I think it will enhance your driving experience. Carry on….and best wished with your project. Ray
I'm still hunting for a thread on installing them on the truck group I am on. One of those you see it all the time until you want to find it things. One complaint that some do have is that the short drag link can cause bump steer. From looking at the photos in that thread one install is a serious lesson in how not to do it.
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