47-55.1 AD TF steering arm interchange????? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**mr48chev** · 05-04-2020, 04:38 AM

I'm in a bit of a quandary on this one. does anyone know if the 53/54 steering arms that have the tapered hole for the tie rod end interchange with 55/59 ?

1project2many · 05-08-2020, 01:57 PM

I know this question is a few days old. I ran into this while trying to collect interchange information between 55-59 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton steering arms. I *believe* the RH side arms interchange but the LH side do not. I can research this further if needed.

nvrdone · 05-08-2020, 02:08 PM

my '49 arms did not have tapered holes. so I had a machine shop do it for me. cost about $35.00 total if I remember right.
Also, if I'm correct, the bolt spacing on the TF where it bolts to the spindle is wider than an AD.

**mr48chev** · 05-08-2020, 07:22 PM

I was trying to help a guy in Australia out as he had bought a 53/53 with a dropped axle and they had flipped the drag link end so it attached from the bottom but he didn't know if the arm still had half the taper from the top.

The Australian inspection wouldn't pass the dropped axle. I didn't ask but it may be a Speedway axle with the square tube in the middle. His plan was to set it back with a stock axle, get it pass inspection and swap back. later.

nvrdone · 05-08-2020, 11:30 PM

very interesting question. I think that's a great way to get past the initial inspection but don't they have an annual inspection ? if so, that seems like a lot of work to swap axles every year.

**mr48chev** · 05-09-2020, 02:18 PM

I don't know how they actually work the later thing. I also don't know what axle the truck came with either dropped original or aftermarket like the Speedway cobbled together mess.

I'm thinking that he will have have an engineer approve the swap and sign off on it to be legal and can't just arbitrarily swap the axle and be done with it. Modified vehicles down there that are done by the numbers are usually really safe vehicles in comparison to some of the cobbled together see stuff we see running around here. I've read stories of more than one car or truck bought from the US and shipped there that was totally rejected because of shoddy work and build practices.

05-04-2020, 04:38 AM	#1
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,711	AD TF steering arm interchange????? I'm in a bit of a quandary on this one. does anyone know if the 53/54 steering arms that have the tapered hole for the tie rod end interchange with 55/59 ? __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

05-08-2020, 01:57 PM	#2
1project2many Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Lakes Region NH Posts: 3,200	Re: AD TF steering arm interchange????? I know this question is a few days old. I ran into this while trying to collect interchange information between 55-59 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton steering arms. I believe the RH side arms interchange but the LH side do not. I can research this further if needed.

05-08-2020, 02:08 PM	#3
nvrdone Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Moxee WA Posts: 1,482	Re: AD TF steering arm interchange????? my '49 arms did not have tapered holes. so I had a machine shop do it for me. cost about $35.00 total if I remember right. Also, if I'm correct, the bolt spacing on the TF where it bolts to the spindle is wider than an AD. __________________ 49 chevy 3100 3 window. 327 / m21 4 spd, 12 bolt w/ 3:55's Bought in 1973 for $235.00. Had it longer than my wife & Kids!!

05-08-2020, 07:22 PM	#4
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,711	Re: AD TF steering arm interchange????? I was trying to help a guy in Australia out as he had bought a 53/53 with a dropped axle and they had flipped the drag link end so it attached from the bottom but he didn't know if the arm still had half the taper from the top. The Australian inspection wouldn't pass the dropped axle. I didn't ask but it may be a Speedway axle with the square tube in the middle. His plan was to set it back with a stock axle, get it pass inspection and swap back. later. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

05-08-2020, 11:30 PM	#5
nvrdone Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Moxee WA Posts: 1,482	Re: AD TF steering arm interchange????? very interesting question. I think that's a great way to get past the initial inspection but don't they have an annual inspection ? if so, that seems like a lot of work to swap axles every year. __________________ 49 chevy 3100 3 window. 327 / m21 4 spd, 12 bolt w/ 3:55's Bought in 1973 for $235.00. Had it longer than my wife & Kids!!

05-09-2020, 02:18 PM	#6
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,711	Re: AD TF steering arm interchange????? I don't know how they actually work the later thing. I also don't know what axle the truck came with either dropped original or aftermarket like the Speedway cobbled together mess. I'm thinking that he will have have an engineer approve the swap and sign off on it to be legal and can't just arbitrarily swap the axle and be done with it. Modified vehicles down there that are done by the numbers are usually really safe vehicles in comparison to some of the cobbled together see stuff we see running around here. I've read stories of more than one car or truck bought from the US and shipped there that was totally rejected because of shoddy work and build practices. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.



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