56 chevy power steering question.

[Jeff56]

What are my options on putting power steering on my 56 Chevy pickup with the stock front axle. I heard I could use a steering box from a 68-72 Chevy and add a power steering pump and I'm good to go. I don't know if thats true or not any help will be greatly appreciated thank you.
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[Knothead]

It's a little more complicated than that. You will need to modify or replace steering column also. Classic Performance has a install process on thier web page under tech articles .

[Rude Dude]

No not that easy you can use a toyota truck box or but this kit

http://www.classicperform.com/Store/...ks/4754PSK.htm

[_Ogre]

if you're keeping the straight axle...
first replace your king pins, drag link, tie rod ends, wheel bearings and align it.
while your under there, replace shackles.
either way you will need to do this work.

you may be surprised at how easy it steers.

[Jeff56]

its got the drop axle in front already with only a single leaf spring in it. Do i still need to replace all the parts or just find a steering box and pump.

[OrrieG]

Here are the steps you need to take.
1. Make sure the existing front suspension components are in good working order like Ogre said.
2. Decide if you want to use the existing column, modified for a lower bearing, or an after market column. This will determine what is needed on the column end to mate to the box.
3. Decide what box you want to use, aftermarket, Toyota or newer GM. This will determine what in needed to mate to the column. It can be splines, D shaped or even welded or pinned.
4. Box will determine what is needed to connect to the stock drag link.
5. PS pump will be determined by what engine your have, type of head (old smooth or newer with bracket mounts), short or long water pump, stock exhaust or headers, high or low mount and if you want an integrated or remote resivior.
6. Check for other conflicts like headers, wheels hitting drag links, etc.

Once all the parameters are set then you can start shopping. I would recommend looking at the build threads to see what everyone has done, and the amount of labor to configure your own Vs. $ to buy ready to bolt on.

[Curly5759]

I bought the kit posted in reply #3, and I am unhappy with it. I wish I had done the toyota box instead, but I didn't know it existed then.
I don't like my set up for a couple of reasons:
1) The saginaw box sits on the ouside of the frame rail, so the tire rubs on it during hard right turns, and my steering circle is WAY larger now. (I am running 8 inch rims with 31/10.5-15)
2) The rod ends on the drag link keep wearing out, in as little as a 1000 miles. I think it is due to the force on the drag link when I turn full lock.

The Toyota box sits in the same area as the factory box, so no tire interference problems.

Other than the problems mentioned, I do like the power steering. I also upgraded the original tie rod ends to modern ends, installed a tilt column.

Curly

[Jeff56]

What do you need to get if I go with the Toyota steering box.
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[JumboAMONGus]

they make a factory power steering for your truck but last time i seen a kit it was like $2200 and i seen a used one on ebay a few weeks ago that im not sure if it sold ,,, i was looking to do power steering also on my 56 ,but since im going camaro or ifs front end , look for jf40 landcruisers they had power steering in the late 70s 80s ..

[OrrieG]

I found this, you can delve in deeper to see what the box is, etc. If you look at the thread its in there is a company called ABS power steering that also makes a kit. From searching and reading on the subject it is obvious there is no one answer to your question. You are going to need to start searching and decide what is best for your skill level and wallet. Looking at the kits it would not be that hard to find the pieces and put it together but there are at least two companies that make kits that mount the box in the stock location. Both require modifications to the stock steering column or changing to a new one.

http://talk.classicparts.com/showpos...1&postcount=12