1966 Chevy Truck power steering kit

[TexasDeuce]

I need to buy or perferably fabricate a power steering kit for my '65. I swapped out the front suspension from a '75 silverado. I know there are some vendors out there that carry the kits for about 69 bux, but I was wondering if anyone had ever just fabd a kit...

Any Ideas or tips greatly appreciated...

Thanks Gabe http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

[Ayers Garage]

Some guys over at a Chevy truck board I go to do it themselves.

They heat the framerail and dimple it where it interferes with a BFH. Then, the later model power steering box bolts right on.

[TexasDeuce]

What Chevy Truck Board?

Tell me how to get there..
thanks TD

[Anderson]

Where does it interfere? My old man did the swap not long ago...don't remember who he got it from, but he just used one bracket that bolts to the frame, then the box bolts to it. No BFH was used.

[Ayers Garage]

ease on over to www.67-72chevytrucks.com. (http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com.)

Don't worry, it's for all vintage of Chevy trucks, not just 67-72.

then click on message boards

now do a search for the words "dimple"

Apparently, the box will bolt onto the frame basically, but there needs to be a dimple in the frame rail for the box to seat fully snug up against the frame. Some guys just use a stack of washers under each bolt and tighten them up, effectively spacing the box away from the frame where it interferes. Some fellows over there, that seem to be pretty sharp, say the spacer way is bad because it throws the steering geometry off. Anyway, do a search and read awhile and it should answer all questions.

[kustomd]

You can do the washer deal I know it works because I did it on my last 64 chevy short wide bed I owned. Or you can cut the frame out a little where the box sticks out to far into the frame then remake the back side out of scrap steel. Only one hole lines up on the power boxes tho so you have to redrill a couple of holes. And if I remember one hole is to high and there isn't anything to bolt it to unless you make a bracket for it. The best thing I can tell you is pull your old box off then set the new one up next to the frame where the old one was and you will see what all has to be done. Thats what I did and it worked great I've had lots of 64-72 chevy pickups that I have put later model power steering on using the 73-87 steering boxes. If you use I believe around an 80 up or so steering box make sure you get a pump for an 80 up truck also because they have an o ring seal on them and the earlier ones don't so the line won't hook up correctly. But you could modify the lines to make either one work with the other if you want I Have done that before in a pinch (basically because I was broke and was trying to use what I had.)

[TexasDeuce]

Thanks Guys I appreciate the help...

TD

[C9]

Just a small addendum - you can make up your own power steering hoses with high pressure - rated 3000# - hose and re-usable fittings.

The hose and fittings available from hydraulic supply houses, oil field equipment houses, probably tractor places and maybe farm supply stores.

You'll end up with a better hose than the parts house ones and it will be an exact fit.

Here's a pic of a made up remote oil filter house.
Hose colors are usually sky blue as shown - this seems to be very good stuff.
As well as gloss black - good stuff - and dull black.
The dull black stuff may be ok, but I'm not real sure about it. I know some brands of the flat black stuff don't resist gasoline, but it would probably work for PS hose.

Prices on the hose and fittings is about 1/3-1/2 the price of Earls stainless hose & aluminum fittings.

Some of the fittings, especially the smaller sizes look almost chrome plated and the ones shown here look similar to natural finished aluminum.

[Upchuck]

http://www.customclassictrucks.com/techarticles/84378/

[SamIyam]

I used the kit you buy and had to heat and dimple the frame in a tad...

I'd buy the kit... it comes with reinforcing plates for the inside of the frame... it's cheap for what you get... IMO.
Sam.

[tomslik]

i've got a ps box off a 71-72 for cheap+shipping if ya want...