anybody go back to manual steer box - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

blackmopar · 02-03-2011, 04:18 PM

Im trying to decide what to do here - the PO did a power steering conversion, and the box itself has been abused and leaks like a siv (at the return port - slight crack in the box - no clue how he did that - over tightening?

anyway - i wouldnt mind losing the pump and additional belt on the motor either - (side note is I need new pulleys and I could elminate double groove crank pulley, etc)

SO has anyone gone back to manual and totally regretted it? Or does anybody have a manual box now to give me some advice - doyou look like Popeye?

im thinking a quick ratio manual box might be pretty damn sweet

thanks

blackmopar · 02-03-2011, 04:26 PM

oh yea = other question - is my steering shaft now too short to go back to a manual box? (somewhere I think I saw that you gotta cut the shaft on power conversion??) I could be totally wrong here - dunno

jchav62 · 02-03-2011, 04:30 PM

Yeah, the shaft does lose a couple of inches in the conversion.

blackmopar · 02-03-2011, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jchav62

Yeah, the shaft does lose a couple of inches in the conversion.

so id need to replace the shaft AND box...damn! and pitman, right?

maybe itd make more sense to roll with a quick ratio power box - another thread on here was talking about that....but then that doesnt get rid of pump and reservoir, etc

jimmydean · 02-03-2011, 04:44 PM

My truck is manual now and I'm torn between converting it and leaving it manual. A buddy has a manual box in his '65 and a little wheel and doesn't seem to mind. Parking is the only time it really matters.

61_FL_Apache · 02-03-2011, 04:45 PM

I like the power steer in my truck, I would keep it. My last truck was manual and lets say I like the power better.

*lakeroadster* · 02-03-2011, 06:00 PM

My C10 has manual steering. So does my '69 Camaro, '31 Ford and '27 Ford. Like everything else, it's an acquired skill, especially with manual shift tranny. Keep the vehicle moving while your turning.

As long as you have a large diameter wheel, and you are able bodied, manual steering isn't a big deal, IMO.

kiknrocks · 02-03-2011, 09:48 PM

I just put power steering in my truck and its the best mod i have done yet.
I have a small wheel so it was very hard to drive. I used a lower mount for the ps pump that mounts reall low and you cant even see it when i open the hood unless you look inside..

markeb01 · 02-03-2011, 10:12 PM

I'm spoiled. I prefer a small steering wheel and ease of parking. I would never go back to manual steering.

old cruiser · 02-03-2011, 10:19 PM

I,m running a smallish wheel, manual steering and column shift manual not a problem at all. Oh and I drive on the wrong side of the road compared to you guys

66_k10_manny · 02-03-2011, 10:17 PM

I did the PS conversion on my 66 k10, would never go back to manual.

protrash64 · 02-03-2011, 10:21 PM

I've got two with power steering and the '66 with manual steering was a real surprise!! I forgot how heavy it is to aim into the driveway.( I am able bodied and worked in construction for nearly 20 years.

)

Notch1988 · 02-03-2011, 11:12 PM

I love my manual steering, reminds me that I'm driving a 45 year old truck. Nostalgic to me I guess.

rbar · 02-03-2011, 11:21 PM

I put power in and love it. Wish I had done it years ago.

**Captainfab** · 02-04-2011, 12:53 AM

It would be quick and easy to just replace the power box. AGR make a quick ratio truck box. I don't know of any quick ratio manual boxes.

If you really do want to go back to manual, get a box from a '67 to mid 70's truck. They'll bolt right in place of a power box

*lakeroadster* · 02-04-2011, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Notch1988

I love my manual steering, reminds me that I'm driving a 45 year old truck. Nostalgic to me I guess.

Good point.... I think that is a big part of it for me too.

blackmopar · 02-04-2011, 01:03 AM

good info Cap'n! i wasnt sure if there was a qr manual or not - like said, besides steering aspects, im weighing the engine accesory thing too - would love a single belt on the motor - but also thinking an aftermarket pump with remote reservoir - im all over the place - just weighin options

somewhere on another thread someone also said you could fine tune the power boxes by adding or removing washers to give more or less road feel maybe that would be the thing to do

**rideblue00** · 02-04-2011, 08:21 PM

I have a manual steering setup with a suicide knob. Its fine for me.

Heater63 · 02-05-2011, 12:18 AM

Ihad manual- im going to power strng.

As Captainfab said, there is no fast ratio manual box to my knowledge.

Yes, you would need a different pitman arm to go back manual, but many on here like me have an old one laying around.

You can put an extension on the shortened steering shaft.

Staying power would be the easiest.....about $125 for a reman unit at rock auto or any parts store- you have a core
Posted via Mobile Device

02-03-2011, 04:18 PM	#1
blackmopar Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: fallbrook, ca Posts: 326	anybody go back to manual steer box Im trying to decide what to do here - the PO did a power steering conversion, and the box itself has been abused and leaks like a siv (at the return port - slight crack in the box - no clue how he did that - over tightening? anyway - i wouldnt mind losing the pump and additional belt on the motor either - (side note is I need new pulleys and I could elminate double groove crank pulley, etc) SO has anyone gone back to manual and totally regretted it? Or does anybody have a manual box now to give me some advice - doyou look like Popeye? im thinking a quick ratio manual box might be pretty damn sweet thanks

02-03-2011, 04:26 PM	#2
blackmopar Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: fallbrook, ca Posts: 326	Re: anybody go back to manual steer box oh yea = other question - is my steering shaft now too short to go back to a manual box? (somewhere I think I saw that you gotta cut the shaft on power conversion??) I could be totally wrong here - dunno

02-03-2011, 04:30 PM	#3
jchav62 1962 C-10 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Las Vegas, New Mexico Posts: 4,978	Re: anybody go back to manual steer box Yeah, the shaft does lose a couple of inches in the conversion. __________________ Joseph Chavez "See the USA in a Chevrolet!!" ......................_____ .........________//__{\_____ ,,,,,,,/__(O)___//___/__(O)_/ 1962 C10 Shortbed Fleetside 327/th350 GV overdrive 1974 C10 Longbed Fleetside 350/th350 "The Trash Truck" 1999 Chevy 2500 OBS, Longbed 5.7/4L80E 4x4 2015 GMC Sierra SLE 1500 4x4

02-03-2011, 04:44 PM	#5
jimmydean Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Beaverton, OR Posts: 3,728	Re: anybody go back to manual steer box My truck is manual now and I'm torn between converting it and leaving it manual. A buddy has a manual box in his '65 and a little wheel and doesn't seem to mind. Parking is the only time it really matters. __________________ New Project: 1966 LWB C20 Plans: 1/2 ton conversion Dropmember front Dropmember rear Corvette discs Restored raised bed http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=4295210

02-03-2011, 04:45 PM	#6
61_FL_Apache Who Me? Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Royal Palm Beach, FL Posts: 4,067	Re: anybody go back to manual steer box I like the power steer in my truck, I would keep it. My last truck was manual and lets say I like the power better. __________________ Steve 1997 Tahoe LT 4D 2WD (DD) 2001 Blazer 4D 2WD 1961 Apache 10 (sold) 1965 C10 Stepper (sold)

02-03-2011, 06:00 PM	#7
lakeroadster Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: High Plains of Colorado Posts: 2,485	Re: anybody go back to manual steer box My C10 has manual steering. So does my '69 Camaro, '31 Ford and '27 Ford. Like everything else, it's an acquired skill, especially with manual shift tranny. Keep the vehicle moving while your turning. As long as you have a large diameter wheel, and you are able bodied, manual steering isn't a big deal, IMO. Last edited by lakeroadster; 02-03-2011 at 06:06 PM.

02-03-2011, 09:48 PM	#8
kiknrocks 65 Chevy Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: LODI Ca Posts: 144	Re: anybody go back to manual steer box I just put power steering in my truck and its the best mod i have done yet. I have a small wheel so it was very hard to drive. I used a lower mount for the ps pump that mounts reall low and you cant even see it when i open the hood unless you look inside..

02-03-2011, 10:12 PM	#9
markeb01 Senior Enthusiast Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Spokane Valley, WA Posts: 8,356	Re: anybody go back to manual steer box I'm spoiled. I prefer a small steering wheel and ease of parking. I would never go back to manual steering.

02-03-2011, 10:19 PM	#10
old cruiser Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Camperdown Vic Australia Posts: 230	Re: anybody go back to manual steer box I,m running a smallish wheel, manual steering and column shift manual not a problem at all. Oh and I drive on the wrong side of the road compared to you guys

02-03-2011, 10:17 PM	#11
66_k10_manny Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: san jose, ca Posts: 86	Re: anybody go back to manual steer box I did the PS conversion on my 66 k10, would never go back to manual.

02-03-2011, 10:21 PM	#12
protrash64 Resistance is Futile Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mesa,Arizona Posts: 3,520	Re: anybody go back to manual steer box I've got two with power steering and the '66 with manual steering was a real surprise!! I forgot how heavy it is to aim into the driveway.( I am able bodied and worked in construction for nearly 20 years.) __________________ 64 CHEVY PICK-UP > http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...otrash+re-hash 64 CARRYALL >http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1964+suburban 66 LB >http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=427852 STRENGTH/DETERMINATION/MERCILESS/FOREVER .......posted via stationary device

02-03-2011, 11:12 PM	#13
Notch1988 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Lacombe, Alberta Posts: 335	Re: anybody go back to manual steer box I love my manual steering, reminds me that I'm driving a 45 year old truck. Nostalgic to me I guess.

02-03-2011, 11:21 PM	#14
rbar Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Meridian, Idaho Posts: 422	Re: anybody go back to manual steer box I put power in and love it. Wish I had done it years ago. __________________ 1963 Chevy stepside 327 1965 Chevy swb 383 1996 Mystic Mustang Cobra 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP 415hp/415tq 6speed

02-04-2011, 12:53 AM	#15
Captainfab 60-66 Nut Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Posts: 23,252	Re: anybody go back to manual steer box It would be quick and easy to just replace the power box. AGR make a quick ratio truck box. I don't know of any quick ratio manual boxes. If you really do want to go back to manual, get a box from a '67 to mid 70's truck. They'll bolt right in place of a power box __________________ Power Steering Box Adapter Plates For Sale HERE Power Brake Booster Adapter Brackets For Sale '63-'66 HERE and '67-'72 HERE and '60-'62 HERE and "60-'62 with clutch HERE Rear Disc Brake Brackets For Sale. Impala SS calipers HERE Camaro Calipers HERE D52 Calipers HERE 6 Lug HERE Hydroboost Mounting Plates HERE

02-04-2011, 01:03 AM	#17
blackmopar Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: fallbrook, ca Posts: 326	Re: anybody go back to manual steer box good info Cap'n! i wasnt sure if there was a qr manual or not - like said, besides steering aspects, im weighing the engine accesory thing too - would love a single belt on the motor - but also thinking an aftermarket pump with remote reservoir - im all over the place - just weighin options somewhere on another thread someone also said you could fine tune the power boxes by adding or removing washers to give more or less road feel maybe that would be the thing to do



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

02-04-2011, 08:21 PM	#18
rideblue00 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Lambertville, MI Posts: 1,866	Re: anybody go back to manual steer box I have a manual steering setup with a suicide knob. Its fine for me.

02-05-2011, 12:18 AM	#19
Heater63 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: N Texas Posts: 580	Re: anybody go back to manual steer box Ihad manual- im going to power strng. As Captainfab said, there is no fast ratio manual box to my knowledge. Yes, you would need a different pitman arm to go back manual, but many on here like me have an old one laying around. You can put an extension on the shortened steering shaft. Staying power would be the easiest.....about $125 for a reman unit at rock auto or any parts store- you have a core Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 292 + TKO500 Last edited by Heater63; 02-05-2011 at 12:19 AM.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.