No power steering in a 3/4 ton Big deal?
 

My new acquisition 1967 GMC 3/4 ton (in storage till spring) is factory w/o power steering. How big of a deal is that? Must not be too bad as it had a camper on it for most of it's life. I may convert it to PS in future but not sure. For those of you w/o power steering, how do you like it?

Thanks!

Eric Johnson

:gmc2:

Re: No power steering in a 3/4 ton Big deal?
 

Stock sized wheels and tires will be similar to a 1/2 ton. Put some monster honk'n big tires and wheels, it won't be nice...

Then there's the driver...just you? Most will NOT like manual steering...you will not like it, but can you tolerate it?

I've known a couple of younger drivers that couldn't stand the manual steering...it's definitely different. You have to plan ahead for every instance of turning the wheel, especially when leaving parking spots....

Re: No power steering in a 3/4 ton Big deal?
 

I have a 71 C20 with out PS. I would not wish it on anyone ! Funny thing is it has power brakes and No Spin. I won’t let anyone drive it but me because if you are on uneven ground the wheel can spin around and break a finger or wrist easily if your hand is inside the spokes...:metal:

Re: No power steering in a 3/4 ton Big deal?
 

I have a 70 C20 Longhorn, 350 manual and NO power steer. It is not ideal.
Skinny tyres make it ok, but power would be nice.
My truck had a camper in it from new, so I imagine with an 11.5" camper hanging out back, no power steer was required.
I have started collecting bits to fit it.
Funny thing is, mine is also a well optioned truck, with Tacho dash, factory A/C, deluxe trim, power brakes, lots of nice extra's, just no power steer.

Re: No power steering in a 3/4 ton Big deal?
 

Going down the road and while I motion, it’s not too much different. Now when you turn in and out of a parking space, you’re gonna get an upper body workout that you’ll never see in a Fitness mag. That was the main reason I converted my C-10, that and then my wife can drive it. :metal:

Re: No power steering in a 3/4 ton Big deal?
 

Manual steering and manual transmission = big left leg and large forearms. One of the best upgrades i did was power steering. You don't know how nice power steering is until you have power steering.

Re: No power steering in a 3/4 ton Big deal?
 

No PS would not be good on a 3/4 ton. I bought a 1969 1/2 ton a few years ago, when delivered I jumped in, took off and turned right to pull in the drive and almost ran over my mailbox. I had bought a new 69 in the fall of 1968 when I was in my 20"s with no PS, it was no big thing then, but I'm sure I've lost some muscle over the years. Power Steering was the first improvement I made to this truck.

Re: No power steering in a 3/4 ton Big deal?
 

I have a 72 C20 no PS and a three on the tree. I have no problem. I'm 66 and skinny. I don't think I owned a car with power steering for the first 10 years of car ownership. I also drove a U Model Mack tractor without it. It requires that you don't turn the wheel when you are sitting still. Just a slight movement and proper hand placement 9over and under on the wheel) and it's fine. Like anything else that takes a little skill, drive it enough and you won't even notice it. That's why I like old stuff because you have to get to know what you're driving. One good thing is that it centers itself much better than PS. It all goes back to what you want. Drive it as much as possible before you decide. It takes awhile to learn how to use a clutch properly, same thing with the steering. I would also restate that yes, if you're gonna put on a massive set of tires and a big block in it, PS all the way.

Re: No power steering in a 3/4 ton Big deal?
 

You'll definitely appreciate manual steering if you ever have your power steering go out. Now that, is a workout!

Re: No power steering in a 3/4 ton Big deal?
 

It's been no big deal on my squarebody. Took the ps off after it Exxon Valdeez'd in my garage for the 2nd time.

Re: No power steering in a 3/4 ton Big deal?
 

No power steering on my 68 K20. As long as you are rolling a bit, it's not an issue.

Re: No power steering in a 3/4 ton Big deal?
 

As long as it's a 2WD, the biggest problem is going to be parking spaces.

With 4WD (off-roading) power steering becomes a much bigger deal.

Re: No power steering in a 3/4 ton Big deal?
 

Manual steering is ok but you need to learn that cranking the wheel when the vehicle isn't moving is not the way to use it. Once the truck is rolling its much easier to steer.

Re: No power steering in a 3/4 ton Big deal?
 

Yup. My wife managed to get our Astrovan steered to the curb and stopped getting off the freeway when the engine quit, even though it had hydraboost and, of course power steering. She was lucky. She's puny on strength. If she'd been in heavy traffic, it could've been pretty bad.

Re: No power steering in a 3/4 ton Big deal?
 

Good advice!

I will see how it goes...In the meantime I will start researching to find out what I will need on the cheap. I don't want to go with an aftermarket conversion kit. Would like to get reconditioned used parts, etc. I an sure there is a thread here somewhere where someone has put together a list of these parts.

Looking forward to getting it out this spring :metal:

Re: No power steering in a 3/4 ton Big deal?
 

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=545971

Also I believe Capt fab has the bits for the swap

Re: No power steering in a 3/4 ton Big deal?
 

Wow Thanks. Lots of good info!!:gmc2:

Re: No power steering in a 3/4 ton Big deal?
 

Re: No power steering in a 3/4 ton Big deal?
 

One of the main reasons I swapped out the manual steering in my '70 C-10 was because of the "8-bagillion" steering wheel turns it took to make a corner. Every time I'd come to an intersection I'd almost T-bone the car sitting at the stop sign to my right because I'd forget that it doesn't take the usual 3/4 turn to get around the corner as in most manual vehicles. Doh!

Re: No power steering in a 3/4 ton Big deal?
 

I drove a no PS truck all through HS. Every bit of NewBayColony's words here are true. I think you should drive it with no PS for a while just so you can get the feel of it before you swap it for PS! Just watch out on uneven and off road slow travel, especially going down grade with the brakes as that steering wheel can spin hard all by itself and take you hands with it!

-klb

Re: No power steering in a 3/4 ton Big deal?
 

>>I swapped out the manual steering in my '70 C-10 was because of the "8-bagillion" steering wheel turns it took to make a corner.<<

Getting a decent size steering wheel is another good reason for P-steering.

You can live with manual steering in a long bed 3/4, but the trip, even a short one can be more pleasant with P-steering.

You choose to drive a different vehicle if you know the destination has high traffic and parallel parking.

Before I added AC, I would choose a different vehicle if it was 110 out and I didn't want to arrive a wet stinky mess.

Most of these old trucks with manual trans have low rear gears. Traveling any distance at 60 in the slow lane isn't something to look forward to and will make you choose a different vehicle for the trip.

P-steering, AC and decent gears lets you jump in one of these old trucks, over any other vehicle in the driveway without having to give the trip any thought.

Screw nostalgia or originality.

Re: No power steering in a 3/4 ton Big deal?
 

I had a 69 smallblock vette that had no power steering and I was able to get by. Younger though. I currently have a GT40 replica without PS but the engine is in the back so it's not bad...I will see. It has lived for 50 without and no one changed it, so?!

:gmc2:

Re: No power steering in a 3/4 ton Big deal?
 

Good advice. THanks!
:gmc2:

Re: No power steering in a 3/4 ton Big deal?
 

After driving my 67 GMC for a bit I have decided to stay with the manual setup. The truck really steers nice - Not to much effort and really nice feel. Only thing that I had to get used to was correcting after a turn, say out of the driveway or at an intersection etc. Thanks for all the imput folks!

Eric
:gmc2:

Re: No power steering in a 3/4 ton Big deal?
 

My 3/4 68 has no power steering. I don't mind it at all and it's got 10 ply bias 7.50-7/ 17s . But it's also only running a 250 ci six so it's not front heavy. My 66 ss396 has no ps either . Only time it's an issue is parking. But it's not bad enough to make me want ps