Steer me in right direction - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

8door · 02-05-2005, 07:29 PM

I think I am close to the right set up. Converting a 68 ram assist to a power steering box.
Use a power steering box from 69 or 70.
Use manual steering center link aka drag link.
Use 68 idler arm and tie rod ends.
Use power steering pitman arm from 69 or 70.
Use 68 pump and new pressure hoses.
Dimple frame and modify bumper bracket to accept PS box.
Add fluid mix all ingredients turn key and go

Have I got this right????????????

Longhorn Man · 02-05-2005, 09:27 PM

you'll have to cuss in there somewhere.

8door · 02-05-2005, 10:05 PM

Did that &*(*$#^#@ @#$)at the beginng.
Got it out of my system, I hope.
So have I got it right????????????????

68w/sbc406 · 02-06-2005, 12:39 AM

some 68s you dont have to dimple the fram. i didnt

tmad · 02-06-2005, 08:39 AM

I just did the very same job on my 67. I think you have got it all covered. You should not have to dimple the frame on a 68, I went with the shim method on mine,some will tell you this is a big issue but believe it or not my assemble manual from GM even shows shims used on some trucks from the factory. Ant way good luck and let me know if ya need any help. Mine went togrther really smooth.

8door · 02-06-2005, 12:25 PM

tmad:I haven't got a steering box yet, but I did notice the bolt holes to mount it are not flush with frame, must be at lest 1/4 inch standoff.
Some guys say the steering can be affected if steering wheel shaft and box shaft are not perfectly lined up.
Did you find any difficulty in connecting the two shafts?
Chris

tmad · 02-06-2005, 12:34 PM

Is your frame rail flat or dimpled? If it is flat you will have to dimple it or shim the box. My frame also had the raised bolt holes but I still had to shim it out a bit. I had no trouble at all hooking the steering shaft up. Has for the shim argument I am no geometry major but if you have a TOTAL front end alignment after yourdone it will be fine!!

8door · 02-06-2005, 12:48 PM

Not the frame is not dimpled.
I assume that the the concerns some have about shims are the force that is applied to the box if it it is not spread out evenly on all bolts could cause the box to distort. Maybe I'm not an engineer either.
How thick were the shims you used?Seems to me if thr manual states a shim can be used, then why not.

8door · 02-06-2005, 12:55 PM

Here is pic of frame rail with old box removed.

tmad · 02-06-2005, 12:59 PM

Well I didnt get the pic, but thats ok! My shims are about 1/4 inch and I used grade 8 bolts.

8door · 02-06-2005, 12:59 PM

here it is

8door · 02-06-2005, 01:06 PM

Something wrong here it is again

tmad · 02-06-2005, 03:08 PM

Looks just like mine did and like I said I had to shim some for the new box!!!

02-05-2005, 07:29 PM	#1
8door Not too old to learn Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: SoCal Posts: 617	Steer me in right direction I think I am close to the right set up. Converting a 68 ram assist to a power steering box. Use a power steering box from 69 or 70. Use manual steering center link aka drag link. Use 68 idler arm and tie rod ends. Use power steering pitman arm from 69 or 70. Use 68 pump and new pressure hoses. Dimple frame and modify bumper bracket to accept PS box. Add fluid mix all ingredients turn key and go Have I got this right???????????? __________________ 1968 C10 a way to long restoration.

02-05-2005, 10:05 PM	#3
8door Not too old to learn Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: SoCal Posts: 617	Did that &($#^#@ @#$)at the beginng. Got it out of my system, I hope. So have I got it right???????????????? __________________ 1968 C10 a way to long restoration.

02-06-2005, 12:39 AM	#4
68w/sbc406 Got Light Emitting Diode? Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Newberg, OR Posts: 2,485	some 68s you dont have to dimple the fram. i didnt __________________ 1968 1/2 ton 2wd lwb 6 lug disc and bags up front. Next c notch and rear bags '02 Chevy Silverado LT ext cab short bed 2WD 5/7 drop on 22's(the family car) 1993 Cherokee work ride/weekend wheeler

02-06-2005, 12:25 PM	#6
8door Not too old to learn Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: SoCal Posts: 617	tmad:I haven't got a steering box yet, but I did notice the bolt holes to mount it are not flush with frame, must be at lest 1/4 inch standoff. Some guys say the steering can be affected if steering wheel shaft and box shaft are not perfectly lined up. Did you find any difficulty in connecting the two shafts? Chris __________________ 1968 C10 a way to long restoration.

02-06-2005, 12:48 PM	#8
8door Not too old to learn Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: SoCal Posts: 617	Not the frame is not dimpled. I assume that the the concerns some have about shims are the force that is applied to the box if it it is not spread out evenly on all bolts could cause the box to distort. Maybe I'm not an engineer either. How thick were the shims you used?Seems to me if thr manual states a shim can be used, then why not. __________________ 1968 C10 a way to long restoration.

02-05-2005, 09:27 PM	#2
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	you'll have to cuss in there somewhere.

02-06-2005, 08:39 AM	#5
tmad Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: youngsville pa Posts: 166	I just did the very same job on my 67. I think you have got it all covered. You should not have to dimple the frame on a 68, I went with the shim method on mine,some will tell you this is a big issue but believe it or not my assemble manual from GM even shows shims used on some trucks from the factory. Ant way good luck and let me know if ya need any help. Mine went togrther really smooth.

02-06-2005, 12:34 PM	#7
tmad Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: youngsville pa Posts: 166	Is your frame rail flat or dimpled? If it is flat you will have to dimple it or shim the box. My frame also had the raised bolt holes but I still had to shim it out a bit. I had no trouble at all hooking the steering shaft up. Has for the shim argument I am no geometry major but if you have a TOTAL front end alignment after yourdone it will be fine!!

02-06-2005, 12:55 PM	#9
8door Not too old to learn Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: SoCal Posts: 617	Here is pic of frame rail with old box removed. __________________ 1968 C10 a way to long restoration.

02-06-2005, 12:59 PM	#10
tmad Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: youngsville pa Posts: 166	Well I didnt get the pic, but thats ok! My shims are about 1/4 inch and I used grade 8 bolts.

02-06-2005, 12:59 PM	#11
8door Not too old to learn Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: SoCal Posts: 617	here it is __________________ 1968 C10 a way to long restoration.

02-06-2005, 01:06 PM	#12
8door Not too old to learn Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: SoCal Posts: 617	Something wrong here it is again Attached Images __________________ 1968 C10 a way to long restoration.

02-06-2005, 03:08 PM	#13
tmad Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: youngsville pa Posts: 166	Looks just like mine did and like I said I had to shim some for the new box!!!



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