power steering conversion kit

[61hawk]

Exactly where did you mount this on the truck?

[Arne]

Originally Posted by 61hawk

Exactly where did you mount this on the truck?

Inside the LF fender.

[Arne]

I took the truck on a short shakedown drive today, and I can confirm that the electric pump is a totally viable option. It has an audible whine, but you can't hear it from the cab when the engine is running, even at idle with the window open. The fixed 70% boost that the pump provides when not computer controlled is just about right. Easy to turn those big 275/60 tires when going slow, but not over-boosted at normal road speeds. Building the custom mount was the most difficult part, but really not that bad. The plumbing and wiring are relatively simple.

I'm planning to write up a more comprehensive review of the rack & pinion kit + electric pump (with DIY notes) soon. Watch for a separate thread here.

[61hawk]

Do you have a picture of the steering pump in the wheel well with the wheel on? I'm just wanting to see how protected it is from the tire. I've seen it put there in other vehicles, but wanted to see how it looked in one of these trucks.

[Arne]

Easy to do. I didn't have any shots with the tire in place. But even to take one at full lock, I don't even have to start the engine. Just switch on the ignition, wait a couple of seconds for the pump to engage and turn the wheel.

The pump sits well inboard of the tire, right next to the frame rail.

Here's a shot through the fender opening, wheels straight.



Same as above, but wheels at full right lock.



From the front and below, wheels straight.



And with the wheels at full right lock. The spot circled is the closest, but not as close as it looks. There is at least 1½" clearance at that spot, and that is with big 275/60 tires.

[Arne]

A comment in my build thread asked if I thought this location would work with a square body steering box conversion.

If I understand where the square body box mounts, I think this spot would be problematic. One may be able to move it outboard some, depending on what tires and wheels were being used. (Mine, being 275/60 on 15x8 up front are about as large as most people will have.) Also, building my mount brackets leveraging the original Volvo bracket as I did makes the package a bit larger than it would have to be.

But you could mount it on the other side, inside the right fender easily, if you didn't mind running the hoses across under the radiator. Or behind the cab, or wherever.