View Full Version : Power Steering Adapter Plates


Captainfab
03-10-2009, 11:56 PM
This is the power steering adapter plate that I have been making since 1993. It is of a little different design than the others on the market. With mine you don't need to drill out any threaded holes on the steering box. All four of the steering box bolts go thru the frame. Also there is no inner plate to deal with. I don't feel it is necessary for a 2 wheel drive truck. I've had this same plate on my '66 Suburban since 1993 and put just over 120,000 miles on it with no issues. When I've installed these, I stitch weld the plate to the frame for a little added strength. This isn't absolutely necessary though, since there are four bolts securing it to the frame. The price for this bracket is $50.00 plus $10.00 for insured shipping in the USA. Included is the bracket as shown and four grade 8 bolts and lock washers.

LILRED66
03-11-2009, 12:20 AM
Nice setup.

joe231
03-11-2009, 01:11 PM
Hey John,
I noticed you turned red.....I was wondering what you had up your sleeve
nice looking piece!!

Captainfab
03-11-2009, 10:21 PM
Nice setup.

Thanks Tony.

Hey John,
I noticed you turned red.....I was wondering what you had up your sleeve
nice looking piece!!

Been trying to get this going for a while now......more to come. Thanks Joe

Captainfab
04-03-2009, 10:35 PM
TTT:mm:

Captainfab
04-15-2009, 11:13 AM
Bump

toms84ss
04-15-2009, 09:50 PM
Still available? I need one.

joe231
04-15-2009, 09:53 PM
hey, you got any pics of how it installs with all 4 bolts through the frame...that has me scratching my head.....

Captainfab
04-15-2009, 11:35 PM
Still available? I need one.

Yes I still have several. Let me know how you would like to make the payment....Paypal works for me.

hey, you got any pics of how it installs with all 4 bolts through the frame...that has me scratching my head.....

Yes I do Joe, but I don't seem to have them on this computer. I'll post them in the morning from the shop.

joe231
04-15-2009, 11:39 PM
Cool
Thanks
No hurry

Captainfab
04-16-2009, 11:28 AM
Here are a few installed pics on a couple different trucks.

duallyjams
04-18-2009, 06:48 AM
pm sent

Chuck78
04-18-2009, 05:21 PM
I was planning on getting one of the CPP or REZ brackets, but then I saw yours. I know the CPP kit comes with a steel sleeve to couple the steering shaft back together after shortening it. What do you recommend using? I suppose I could weld it back together, grind flush, and then slide a piece of steel pipe over it and weld that on for extra reinforcement. Looking for better solutions than that if there are any.

Thanks Capt.!

Captainfab
04-18-2009, 09:37 PM
I was planning on getting one of the CPP or REZ brackets, but then I saw yours. I know the CPP kit comes with a steel sleeve to couple the steering shaft back together after shortening it. What do you recommend using? I suppose I could weld it back together, grind flush, and then slide a piece of steel pipe over it and weld that on for extra reinforcement. Looking for better solutions than that if there are any.

Thanks Capt.!


The way I do it is cut the rag joint flange off of the steering shaft and drill the ramaining shaft out of the center with a 3/4" drill. Then shorten the shaft, slide the flange back over the shaft and weld it to the shaft. This way looks a lot cleaner and is just a better way IMO.

joe231
04-18-2009, 10:14 PM
:agree:
that is how my kit said to do it...worked very slick...just mark a line along the length of the lower shaft and a corresponding mark on the rag joint coupler so you can get it lined back up correctly before you weld it...

Chuck78
04-19-2009, 02:28 AM
will these work the same for a 60-62??? I know one of the manufacturer's kits advertise 60-66, but don't install as good for 60-62.

Captainfab
04-19-2009, 02:00 PM
I haven't put one of these on a '60-'62, but I don't see why it wouldn't work. It's been a long time since I've looked at the frame on a '60-'62, but it seems to me like the area where the steering box is the frame is boxed. That being the case you would need some pieces of tube to go between the inner and outter frame, and some longer bolts.

joe231
04-19-2009, 02:10 PM
I have more questions for you John.....
With the other kits, as you know, the front lower hole hangs below the frame...yours doesn't...what is the angle of the gear in relation to the steering column shaft? I noticed on our '66 short bed, when i used the REZ kit the front of the gear box seemed low and the column shaft didn't really line up....I assumed it was because my cab mounts were old and had allowed the cab to sag?? but maybe it is the placement of the box?
your kit obviously puts the front of the gear higher and places it at a different angle. I really like your design..i just wonder why all the others don't do it like this? I have also wondered why no one has come up with a pit-man arm that is slightly offset to make up the spacing off of the frame so you don't need to adjust your center link towards the driver's side...

sorry, you just got me thinking with this plate....i think it is innovative and thanks for sharing it with us

Captainfab
04-19-2009, 09:46 PM
With this bracket the steering column shaft and the input of the steering box are pretty much in line. One thing that has to be done when installing my bracket is you need to loosen up the column mounts both at the dash and at the firewall. Then you can raise the steering shaft to line up with the input shaft of the steering box. Then tighten the mounts back up. When I designed this bracket I had two main goals 1) keep all the bolts on the frame, and 2) keep the draglink in the original position

Yeah that would be nice if someone would tool up and make a pitman arm to compensate for the postion of the steering box, but that's probably just wishful thinking.

Thanks for the compliments Joe ;)

joe231
04-19-2009, 09:57 PM
Right On!!

cheavy metal
04-24-2009, 10:24 PM
hey captain....great stuff. for a 66 gm truck does the power steering plate use existing holes and what truck is the donor steering box out of ? do you think I could make a column from a 80 regal work in my 66?

Captainfab
04-24-2009, 11:11 PM
The adapter does not use existing holes, you will need to drill all 4 holes. You can use any C-series power steering box from '69-'87. Starting in around '81 or so GM switched to metris fittings for the hoses, so you'll want to be sure to get the correct punp to go with your box so you can use off the shelf hoses. You can make most any steering column work if you have the skills to modify it if needed. However it is typically simpler to use either a pickup or van column in a pickup. Thanks for inquiring......

cheavy metal
04-25-2009, 01:17 AM
thanks for the response. hear ya on the column. I guess I'm hoping someones going to say hell it'll bolt right in. so if a guy grabs one of your ps adapter plates how do you know where to locate it?

Captainfab
04-25-2009, 09:43 PM
thanks for the response. hear ya on the column. I guess I'm hoping someones going to say hell it'll bolt right in. so if a guy grabs one of your ps adapter plates how do you know where to locate it?

I don't have the installation instructions complete just yet, but I will provide you all the necessary measurements and pictures to get the job done. Plus I'm always available to answer any questions you may have. I won't sell my produsts to anyone one and just say "You're on your own" I want to make sure you're happy with your purchase.

mikes64fleetside
04-30-2009, 05:02 PM
thanks for the information, that makes a whole lot more sense, looks like it will save a lot of time

Captainfab
05-06-2009, 09:59 PM
Since some of you may not have the means to prepare this flange, I've prepared two steering shaft to rag joint flanges, and am offering them for sale. The cost on these is $20 for those that have purchased an adapter plate from me, plus $6 for shipping. If you purchase one along with an adapter plate there is no extra for shipping.

This is for those of you that want to convert to power steering and retain your original column.

rcrahn
05-12-2009, 11:44 PM
I am going to need one for the 67 C20 we are building. We will be installing an aftermarket tilt column. The engine is an 6.0 LQ9 with 4L80E. Have not selected the box yet.

Chuck78
05-13-2009, 06:07 PM
Here's my concern about 60-62 installs-
your mount on a 63-66, fits great!
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/attachment.php?attachmentid=452704&stc=1&d=1239899256
Looks like the boxed 60-62 frame is not quite as tall. The red mount that Jake uses looks like a horrible fit on the older frames. Maybe a slight bit of repositioning away from the factory angle will make it line up to the frame better, but will that hurt the functionality of it?

This "I think" is the REZ kit that Jake Groby used on his 60-62. Kit says 60-66 I believe. note bottom left has stud due to frame location, top right is also problem, instructions say to notch frame??!? Seriously?
http://inlinethumb43.webshots.com/26602/2907871640054402330S600x600Q85.jpg

slepysal did the CPP 60-62 specific kit and used a $20 part on top of that for his steering shaft. From his thread:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/attachment.php?attachmentid=408024&d=1228098414


not sure if the CPP kit "tweaks" the mounting location a hair clockwise to make it work better, but this is obviously the same 73-87 box bolt pattern, and it fits on the frame at the top right, and under the frame on the bottom left. Makes me wonder about alignment changes from stock, but if it works (I assume "yes" since it's in production), this kit looks far better than the other.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/attachment.php?attachmentid=408033&d=1228098788
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/attachment.php?attachmentid=408048&d=1228099586

Chuck78
05-13-2009, 06:18 PM
After reading the thread through start to finish again, I noted that you said your bracket uses none of the existing holes. The red one Jake uses says that the lower right hole only partially aligns, and you will need to drill this one out. This hole, other than the slight elongation in the frame, is common between the two boxes on their kit. Where is yours in relation to this? The inside the frame pic you have looks like the holes were welded shut? Can't seem to place the old locations.

I think I may give your kit a shot, but still thinking about the 60-62 CPP kit. Need to make sure I have a complete grasp on everything before I save almost half off and buy yours. Any input to help me along?

Captainfab
05-13-2009, 10:14 PM
After reading the thread through start to finish again, I noted that you said your bracket uses none of the existing holes. The red one Jake uses says that the lower right hole only partially aligns, and you will need to drill this one out. This hole, other than the slight elongation in the frame, is common between the two boxes on their kit. Where is yours in relation to this? The inside the frame pic you have looks like the holes were welded shut? Can't seem to place the old locations.

I think I may give your kit a shot, but still thinking about the 60-62 CPP kit. Need to make sure I have a complete grasp on everything before I save almost half off and buy yours. Any input to help me along?

I'll see if I can get a better pic of how mine mounts in relation to the factory holes on the '63-'66 frame. I honestly don't know how mine would work on a '60-'62 frame. I've not mounted one on the older frames, nor do I have one to check out. In the pics you posted, it appears that the profile of the '60-'62 frame is slightly different than the '63-'66's. If you were to purchase one of mine and it wouldn't work in your application, I would refund your purchase price of the bracket minus shipping.

Captainfab
05-13-2009, 10:15 PM
I am going to need one for the 67 C20 we are building. We will be installing an aftermarket tilt column. The engine is an 6.0 LQ9 with 4L80E. Have not selected the box yet.

PM sent.....

randys52
05-15-2009, 10:19 PM
want to buy ps adaptor how??

Captainfab
05-16-2009, 12:13 AM
want to buy ps adaptor how??

PM sent....

eldogg
07-24-2009, 11:56 AM
I just got mine! Looks great!!! Thanks Captain FAB!!!!!!!!!!!

Jose Delgado
08-03-2009, 10:02 PM
Hi Captainfab, I'm new to this world not sure I"m doing this right, never the less here is the question, do you have any more power steering conversion brackets I need one for my truck, If you do, tell me how to pay for it I like your design better that the others

Captainfab
08-03-2009, 11:01 PM
Yes I have lots of the power steering adapter brackets. I'll send you a PM


Hi Captainfab, I'm new to this world not sure I"m doing this right, never the less here is the question, do you have any more power steering conversion brackets I need one for my truck, If you do, tell me how to pay for it I like your design better that the others

srsummers
08-25-2009, 11:26 AM
I'm ready to order a power steering plate. How to I proceed?

Captainfab
08-25-2009, 09:39 PM
I sent you a PM :)

I'm ready to order a power steering plate. How to I proceed?

quadracer812
09-16-2009, 10:22 PM
I needs a plate, can you send me a pm on the detail too.

Captainfab
09-16-2009, 11:51 PM
Pm sent....

I needs a plate, can you send me a pm on the detail too.

sams60gmc
09-17-2009, 02:37 AM
Looks like I'm ready to get one aswell.

Captainfab
09-17-2009, 10:43 PM
Sam, do you realize that this bracket is designed for the '63-'66's? It might work on the '60-'62's but I haven't tried it yet. I can't seem to find a '60-'62 around here to work with. If you want to give it a try and it doesn't work you can send it back and I'll refund your money.

Looks like I'm ready to get one aswell.

quadracer812
09-21-2009, 08:05 PM
man that was quick on the shipping. I payed friday night and got it monday. thanks


justin

sams60gmc
09-21-2009, 09:14 PM
Okay no biggie I can fab one up. What about the flange. Will my factory rag joint not work? If not I'll need one of yours if you have any more.

Captainfab
09-21-2009, 10:20 PM
I'm not 100% positive since I haven't installed power steering on a '60-'62, but I think it should work. To be on the safe side, if it is available, get the end of the steering column sfate from the truck you're getting the box from and do as Eager1 did on his. He has a thread about the steering and brakes.
If you would just rather get the one I have just let me know.

Okay no biggie I can fab one up. What about the flange. Will my factory rag joint not work? If not I'll need one of yours if you have any more.

C20-67_N_MO
09-28-2009, 05:44 AM
subscribed!!

C20-67_N_MO
09-29-2009, 07:09 AM
Any thing I need to know for a '67 C20 with manual steering converting to Power?

Will have a SBC and a 72 truck tilt column that will be chromed. If you need any more info before I buy your kit let me know.

Thanks!

Scott

Captainfab
09-29-2009, 10:13 PM
Assuming that a '67 C20 frame is the same as a '67 C10 frame in the steering box area, you don't need this adapter plate. All you should need are four spacers 1/4" thick. Is your steering box bolted to the frame with 4 bolts? and is the frame completely smooth or does it have a slight raised 'dimple' for each steering box bolt?

I will be happy to sell you one of these adapter plates if you need one. But my experience tells me you don't. Let me know if I am wrong.

Any thing I need to know for a '67 C20 with manual steering converting to Power?

Will have a SBC and a 72 truck tilt column that will be chromed. If you need any more info before I buy your kit let me know.

Thanks!

Scott

C20-67_N_MO
09-30-2009, 01:50 PM
Assuming that a '67 C20 frame is the same as a '67 C10 frame in the steering box area, you don't need this adapter plate. All you should need are four spacers 1/4" thick. Is your steering box bolted to the frame with 4 bolts? and is the frame completely smooth or does it have a slight raised 'dimple' for each steering box bolt?

I will be happy to sell you one of these adapter plates if you need one. But my experience tells me you don't. Let me know if I am wrong.

^^^^^ I am sure you would. :lol:

I just know the manual box is held in place by 4 bolts.

Now whether it has the dimples or not I can not answer that at this time.

Captainfab
12-19-2009, 10:17 PM
Bump

handymanny
12-22-2009, 11:59 PM
hey capitan how can i get one for my 64

Captainfab
12-23-2009, 09:52 PM
I'll send you a PM

hey capitan how can i get one for my 64

ScottH
01-07-2010, 07:02 PM
Captainfab, I might have missed it but what do u need for a pitman arm when converting to the PS setup? I have a complete ps setup recently removed from a 83 C10, would the pitman work from this?

Thanks.
Scott

Captainfab
01-07-2010, 09:58 PM
Yes just use the pitman arm that came with the '83 box. It should work with the early draglink, however I recommend changing all the steering linkage to the later model parts. Not only are the later model parts a little beefier, but it makes it easier to remember what you need when replacement parts are needed.

diamond bobb
03-08-2010, 01:13 PM
i need me one of those adapter plates. would you please drop me an e mail?
thanks bobb

Captainfab
03-08-2010, 10:00 PM
I would but I don't have your email address. I'll send you a PM instead.

i need me one of those adapter plates. would you please drop me an e mail?
thanks bobb