1965 C10 power steering addition

[Touchdown67]

I am thinking about putting power steering on my 65 C10. I was wondering if anyone can recomend what year chevy to use as a donor for the steering box and pump. Any help or pictures of this install would be great, thank you..

[Captainfab]

You can use the steering box from any '69-'87 C10 or C20 pickup, '69-'91Suburban or 2wd Blazer. It will be easier if you can get the pump from the same donor vehicle. If not try and get one with the same style of hose fittings. The '69-'80 models had the inverted flare fittings, whereas the '81 and newer had metric with O-ring fittings.

As for installation pics, there is a recent one in the 'Projects and Builds' section. I don't know about the 'other guys' but my power steering box adapter plates come with installation instructions, and support directly from me.

[turbostar]

Captain,I am in the early stages of putting the LT1 and 4l60e from a 95 Roadmaster in my 65 pickup. I probably will not convert to power steering right away but have thoughts of maybe doing it later. It would seem easiest to me for me to use the power steering pump that is on the LT1.Would that work? Also is there a way to go ahead initially and leave the pump on the engine but only use it as an idler and not hook up any lines? That way,later when I did the power steering conversion I would not have to mount a pump and change the belt setup,etc.

[raycow]

If you MUST run a belt on the pump, connect a hose from the pressure to the return port and fill the pump with oil. Don't even think about running it dry.

Ray

[Captainfab]

I agree with Ray. And yes you should be able to use that pump, that is why I suggested looking for the later model box so that the hose fittings would be the same style.

[Heater63]

What about ratios? Weren't there more than one, or is that a different car series? If there is a choice, does anyone recommend a faster ratio (for street, not off road)?

[turbostar]

Thanks for the info guys-very helpful and very much appreciated. This gives me some options. Initially my conversion will not have power steering or AC,but I want the ability to add those in the future if I decide. If there are no clearance problems,the easiest way to do it is to leave the AC compressor and the PS pump in place but only as idlers. That way I use the stock belt and tensioner. I can make changes later depending on which way I decide to go,but the intial conversion is simplified.

[Touchdown67]

Thanks Captainfab. That is great information. I will be in touch with you soon for a plate.