Steering box alternatives for AD with V8

[xaircav]

As you know from previous posts I put a 283 in my '53 by shifting the steering box over 3/4" with spacers and used 55-56 log style exhaust manifolds. What smaller steering box options do I have to keep the straight axle. I don't want to do an IFS conversion. I want to gain room for either 2.5" outlet ram horn manifolds or block hugger headers to enlarge the exhaust to 2.5"

[Coach529]

If spacing the steering box out further is not an option, you will probably have to mount a box external of the frame to make room.

[octanejunkie]

I'm running a 85 Toyota p/s box in the stock location



I originally bought it through CPP but they don't seem to carry that kit anymore. It's still popular with the Ford truck crowd and the toyota guys ;p

There is also a Solid Axle Power Rack kit on the market


There is current thread going discussing this kit here. I'm not sure if they make one for your truck, however.

[mr48chev]

That is the first Toyota steering box install I have seen a photo of and it does seem to work and a manual box would take up less room.

I've never given the axle mounted rack and pinion setup much thought as it adds extra unsprung weight to the front end but with all of the GM front wheel drive cars laying around in wrecking yards it might be fairly simple to find a rack that would work with a minimum of effort and even less if you go manual steering if it can be found. A friend of mine had a rack and pinion box on a 39 Chevy coupe gasser style hot rod for years and loved it. It was ugly but he said it drove great. He drove it everywhere in the early 80's too.

Depending on the exhaust manifold or headers a guy ran I'd still like to put a Saginaw box down in position to cross steer the truck and only have to worry about running a steering shaft down beside a V8. You would want to run a panhard bar but that is simple to do and not expensive.

[Coach529]

I do not know if it is still an option, but I spaced my stock steering box out 1-1/2" to allow room for my headers. This required a small notch in the firewall to do it.



It is snug, but it worked for me.

[mr48chev]

I'd say the number of them that have been done the way Coach529 did his is up there in the thousands. Mine was done that way in the mid 70's when I pulled the 283 out of my T bucket and put it in it.

It does require a bit of work at the floorboard for clearance for the column and the wheel sits at a very slight angle or has to be moved to the left slightly.

I'd still like to put a cross steer setup together that ran the drag link to the right side of the tie rod I'm so far behind on getting to projects that it may be a while before that gets done though.

[JamieFredericks]

Coach

Did you move the engine to the passenger side as well? That is a lot of room and mine looks no where near that much centered.

I made a custom header that wrapped around the steering box and now I am looking to move the box itself

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by JamieFredericks

Coach

Did you move the engine to the passenger side as well? That is a lot of room and mine looks no where near that much centered.

I made a custom header that wrapped around the steering box and now I am looking to move the box itself

Yes my motor is pushed to the passengers side to make clearance. I do not recall the exact amount of moved it.

[Katrina/10]

Originally Posted by Coach529

I do not know if it is still an option, but I spaced my stock steering box out 1-1/2" to allow room for my headers. This required a small notch in the firewall to do it.



It is snug, but it worked for me.

Did moving the box out have any adverse effects on the steering linkage?

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by Katrina/10

Did moving the box out have any adverse effects on the steering linkage?

I flipped the drag link ball joint around to the backside of the pitman arm and this took care of any binding.

[Katrina/10]

That sounds like a good idea, hope it steers well when you get it back on the road.

[xaircav]

Originally Posted by Coach529

I flipped the drag link ball joint around to the backside of the pitman arm and this took care of any binding.

Isn't the pitman arm hole tapered?

[morgan71]

Originally Posted by xaircav

Isn't the pitman arm hole tapered?

Yeah it's tapered. Talk to Sid at dropped axles.com. He welds them up and reverses the taper if you are moving the factory gear.

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by xaircav

Isn't the pitman arm hole tapered?

Yes it is. I welded it solid, re drilled it and reversed the taper.

[JamieFredericks]

Coach:

Is the mount off of the frame you made tapered so that the steering box angles back towards the original mounting location on the dash? I am getting ready to do this and want to make sure I am going down the right path.

[Coach529]

The complete bracket is 1-1/2" wide from front to back.

The steering post and steering wheel are at a very slight angle, but I bet you could not tell if you did not know about it already.

[sleepindawg]

I moved my box out as well and I have never even noticed the wheel being at a slight angle...lol

[Erics51chevy]

Thanks for posting pictures, helps my build out tremendously.

[zenchal26]

stock box stock location with huggers.

[sleepindawg]

AD frames are a lot narrower than TF frames.

[Lo1dakota]

Originally Posted by Coach529

If spacing the steering box out further is not an option, you will probably have to mount a box external of the frame to make room.

When using this setup had anyone ran into rubbing issues st full lock either way?

[mach92bill]

The method used by Octanejunky looks to be a good answer to installing power steering. Anyone have more info on this install?