Manual to Power Steering Box for a 70/72

[sick472]

According to the Redhead website and O'Reilly's, the same power steering box fits from 67-76 C10's. It just so happens that I have a low mileage power steering box from a 76 C10.

Am I good to go to convert my 72 to power steering as far as the box is concerned? I'm pretty sure I have a 1970 frame under it BTW.

Any advice on things to look for or be concerned with?

Pitman arms the same or would they need to be swapped?

Anybody know the fitting type and size at the box so hoses can be made/ordered to match the Pontiac power steering pump to the box?

I hope to convert this truck to power steering this winter. Thanks in advance!

[Palf70Step]

I would use everything from the 76. Crosslink bar, idle arm and pitman arm. I know the pitman was different on my 70 for manual and power steering, so I assume it is the same for you. I had a 78 and I just used all of it on my 70.

[RustyPile]

I converted my '71 to power steering a while back. Not saying you can't but I didn't use donor parts, everything was either new or rebuilt. I bought a '76 gear box because it has a quicker ratio.. I had to change the idler arm and pitman arm also.. I had a heck of a time selecting the correct pump.. I can't remember which pressure hose I used but I made up the return line using steel brake line and bulk return hose.. I have all the part numbers filed away on the receipts.. Let me know if you need part numbers and I'll dig out the receipts and give them to you..

[Palf70Step]

I should also state, use new pitman and idler,butmatch them to the 76. Crossing can be used, but like mentioned use new for the key components.

[sick472]

Many years ago (in my tighter budget days) this truck had power steering and I think I recall just getting a used manual box (67-72 vintage) and merely swapped the power box out (and maybe pitman arm too). I did not change out the cross link or idler arm.

Is this recollection possible? OR, does it need the crosslink and idler swapped out due to the 76 box?

[Palf70Step]

I mainly changed mine out (going drum to front disk) on the 70 so I could use easy to find tierod parts with out an adapter. Since I knew I needed a new pitman arm, I also changed the idler. I do not know if they are they same. For some reason I did cause they showed different part numbers, so I matched everything to the 78 (in my case 76 in yours) for ease of remembering in case I ever needed a replacement.

[dz1087]

Just make sure you get the crosslink installed in the correct orientation. I put mine in backwards and it caused a very dangerous steering condition.

[sick472]

Originally Posted by dz1087

Just make sure you get the crosslink installed in the correct orientation. I put mine in backwards and it caused a very dangerous steering condition.

I did that once with a 67 GTO and, being young and dumb, had to figure out how to get to my mentor's shop by only making right hand turns...lol.