72 C10 drag link on a 66 C10 ?

[gulfcoast66]

Do anyone have pics or any info on how to mount a 72 drag link on a 66 truck. Im having problems getting the DL to line up right. i have the complete power steering box, link, tie rods, pitman, idler arms all still connected together. Do the 72 fit without changing any pieces from the 66? any pics or any how-tos will help at this point. Ready to put the old one back on! Yeah the one with a half of a turn play in the steering wheel. Thanks in advance Chris [IMG][/IMG]

[gulfcoast66]

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[greg64]

Hey Chris,

Are we talking the idler arm that is giving you all the problem? That's the one part in your pictures that sure doesn't look like it's going to line up.

[psychorodder]

I put a 72 on my 65 had to square up drag link then redrill holes for the idler arm mount it works fine.

[greg64]

That's what I'm thinking too. The fixed part of the idler arm needs to point the other way to meet the chassis (pointing towards the firewall).

[wild one]

Chris,

The drag link will work, you will have to drill two new holes to mount the newer style drag link to the older frame. Now, the newer steering box will also work however you will need an adapter kit to make it fit. The adapter kits generally cost around $70.00 - $100.00 are are well worth the cost as you will gain the power steering box and get rid of the sloppy manual box.

If you have any other questions on the swap, check out this link : http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=209956 .

[gulfcoast66]

Thanks Wildone I was just wondering if it could be done without the cpp kit? If so do anyone have any pics of this retro fit. thanks Chris.

[billydonn]

Wild One:
I don't doubt your word but sure would like a picture or how you mounted the idler arm to make that newer drag link work. I'm currently running the tie rod adapter sleeves and thinking of changing. FYI I have also heard of reaming out the older drag link to allow use of later inner tie rod ends.

[gulfcoast66]

Yes some pics please, Anyone, Thanks Chris.

[gulfcoast66]

ttt

[wild one]

Here is a picture recently posted by a board member here, goes by the name POORBOY. This is a great shot of the newer idler on an older truck, you can see the original mounting holes and how the new idler is positioned.

[poorboy]

It was real easy to do. I just put a level on the crossmember and another on the draglink and made sure they were both level. You also need to make sure it is straight with the pitman arm. It took about 15 min to get it mocked up and the holes drilled.

[gulfcoast66]

Thanks for the pics Wild one and poorboy, that is whatim doing wrong need to turn the alder arm facing the cab. Poorboy is that a complete 72 drag link and sway bar? on your truck? Looks good. oh yeah is that a cpp kit for the pow steering???

[poorboy]

Yeah it's a cpp kit. It is draglink and swaybar. Thanks for the compliments.

[gulfcoast66]

Thanks agian Poorboy do you have any pics of the streering end conected to the P.S gearbox after you cut and put back together. sorry for all the ?s Thanks Poorboy Chris..

[poorboy]

I did not have to cut the column. I did not reuse the 63 column. I used a 72 column from the donor truck.

[billydonn]

Wild One and PB:
Do we think the 73-87 drag link units will work, and not only the 72? It would make the salvage yard search much easier if so.

[poorboy]

They should work fine.

[wild one]

Yes, the drag links and idler arm off of a any 1/2 ton from 1973 - 198? will work (the ? is representing the final year that these trucks were all standard nut and bolt sizes before chevy started using metric junk). I personally used the entire steering setup from my donor truck which was a 1975 GMC heavy half ton.

Oh, and as far as the sway bar is concerned, you can use one off of any 1963 to 1987 chevy pickup regardless of the size (1/2 ton to 1 ton) or off of any 1988-1990 crew cab or suburban truck. If you use one from a 3/4 ton or 1 ton it will be a larger diameter i.e. stiffer and heavier bar. Be sure to get all the brackets and bolts with the bar, they are literally a one hour install with a drill and basic hand tools.

[gulfcoast66]

Thanks for the pics Poorboy, i didnt get the 72 coleum from doner truck, i have no way of welding coluem back together, any ideas?

[poorboy]

I bet if you get it all mocked up and scribe where the shaft needs to be welded it would only cost a few bucks at the local welding shop.

[gulfcoast66]

Thanks Poorboy for your help, your truck is looking good agian.... Chris

[gulfcoast66]

Well its been a couple of months since last time i worked on my truck but i got the drag link installed on my truck I got the kit from classic and thats it no custom sleeves no truning around tie-rods I just mounted the power steering and drag-link as a whole unit. For anyone wanting to do a swap this is to me the best and cheapest. To the guys that help along the way Thanks man!

[gulfcoast66]

Oh yeah i forgot I changed the up and low control arms with spindles attached from a 72 donor truck.

[Chevy Fleetside]

I got a front clip for a 75 chevy truck and used everything from it. Control arms, sway bar, sway bar mounts, center link and everything attached for $60.. This was about 5 years ago. You can see the control arm and the upper bracket for the idler arm in this picture..