Power steering, power disk brakes.

[RonWT]

Like many here before me, we converted to power steering, power brakes and disk on the front of our 69 CST 10. Man what a difference. Now the wife wants full time access to the pickup lol.

[425HP409]

When I got my 68 from my brother, (originally my Dad's) the first things I did was to change the steering wheel to one off of a 88-92 PU and added Disc Brakes. It already had power steering and brakes. Those 2 items made it a whole new truck to drive!

[NGN]

I remember that first ride after I changed over to P/S PDB, Man diffinly a big difference. I can't wait till my son drives his truck, pretty much the same as mine was, all manual with drums all around. I been telling him to make the change it's a big difference, He likes the truck the way it is and wants to keep it that way. His young and I'm sure he'll enjoy driven it. I can't wait what his reaction and thoughts will be when he drives mine. Oh and a sway bar is a easy must have big difference.

[Yamariv]

When I got my truck which didn't have power steering , I thought to myself that this is how the real men drove back then and Id be fine keeping the truck that way. I ended up adding power steering and it's the friggen BEST addition EVER!! Completely different truck, had no idea I'd like it so much! If you're on the fence about adding power steering, DO IT!!!!

Next up..power brakes!!

[Rust_never_sleeps]

I've only driven her around the block, because I haven't secured all the hard lines yet, but power front discs on this thing seemed pretty familiar jumping out of the 21st Century Nissan and Lincoln I drive.
I got her with manual drums all 'round and a leaky q-jet that raised the idle speed, so holding back the beast at a light was interesting, unless I took it out of gear

She came with PS, but I slapped on a 15" wheel and that feels pretty natural too, AND I can set the parking brake without opening the door now ;-)

It's a brave new world ;-)

[67 twins]

Originally Posted by Yamariv

When I got my truck which didn't have power steering , I thought to myself that this is how the real men drove back then and Id be fine keeping the truck that way. I ended up adding power steering and it's the friggen BEST addition EVER!! Completely different truck, had no idea I'd like it so much! If you're on the fence about adding power steering, DO IT!!!!

Next up..power brakes!!

I'm here to offer a different opinion. If you are on the fence about power steering, DON'T do it. It's not worth it, the truck doesn't need it, and it's just more parts to break. Save your money for something else.

[old51sedan]

I bought a new 69 C/10 in the fall of 68. It was a plain Jane with no PS and I thought nothing of it back @ 25 years of age. Fast forward to 2016, I bought a truck from out west, had it delivered. They backed if off the delivery truck, I got it and had to turn it to go in my driveway and almost took out my mailbox. It went into the garage and din't come back out until it had power steering. It's amazing how much muscle mass you lose in 50 years.

[Yamariv]

Originally Posted by 67 twins

I'm here to offer a different opinion. If you are on the fence about power steering, DON'T do it. It's not worth it, the truck doesn't need it, and it's just more parts to break. Save your money for something else.

You're joking right!??

[67 twins]

Originally Posted by Yamariv

You're joking right!??

Absolutely not. Neither one of my trucks has power steering & never will, it's not needed. It wasn't needed 56 years ago when the truck was made, and isn't needed today. If you think power steering is needed you're doing it wrong

[Yamariv]

Originally Posted by 67 twins

Absolutely not. Neither one of my trucks has power steering & never will, it's not needed. It wasn't needed 56 years ago when the truck was made, and isn't needed today. If you think power steering is needed you're doing it wrong

This is exactly what I said in my original post, I thought the same until I got power steering.. Anyway, you do you

[hewittca]

I am in just to see where this debate goes! I am one who's on the fence about swapping mine to PS. The manual steering is definitely a bit more effort at low speed, but at cruising speeds it feels great to me. I have more feel in the wheel compared to my old truck which was PS. To me, the PS in my old truck always felt over assisted. The wheel was so light and easy to turn I felt like I had no connection to the road.

[weq92f]

.

I drove a '68 manual drum brake all around and manual steering with 275/60/15 all the way around. Drove it like this the entire time I owned it back in the 80s to early 90s. There is a certain technique that is necessary while moving slow and turning otherwise you could easily wear yourself out trying to lug that wheel around.

Back then I opted to upgrade to A/C, tinted windows, sway bar and wheels/tires rather than power brakes and steering.

YMMV however...

-klb

[RichardJ]

>>67 twins,
If you are on the fence about power steering, DON'T do it. It's not worth it, the truck doesn't need it, ..<<

That's all well and good, but the choice should really be made, based on where you live and how you use the truck.
If you have a destination in mind with traffic congestion and difficult parking issues and you make the decision to drive a different vehicle, you should consider PS with a smaller steering wheel on your truck.
After I added the PS and PB, the decision to drive the GMC was never again a consideration - in good weather.

AC made the truck a real joy to drive anywhere, any time. I can go to any SoCal destination and arrive without a soaking wet shirt.

I have a 2018 Ram SLT 3500 with almost 10k miles on it. I drive the GMC.

Even before the Ram, I had a Vette. The last year I had it, I put 800 miles on it. I drove the GMC.

[dmjlambert]

I really like the power steering and manual brakes combination. I also like the stock steering ratio, and turning the wheel many times with pinky finger effort.

[Already Gone]

Originally Posted by RonWT

Like many here before me, we converted to power steering, power brakes and disk on the front of our 69 CST 10. Man what a difference. Now the wife wants full time access to the pickup lol.

If you like what the P/S And P/B did for the driveability of your truck if there is not one one the truck already add a front sway bar to the truck and you'll notice more difference again. Cheap simple install and one of the best bangs for the buck on these trucks. Lots of threads on the boards on install. If you do not have one I recommend getting one that 1 1/4 inch diameter from any 1973-87 Chevy C30 or GMC 3500 1 ton truck.

[67 twins]

Originally Posted by RichardJ

>>67 twins,
If you are on the fence about power steering, DON'T do it. It's not worth it, the truck doesn't need it, ..<<

That's all well and good, but the choice should really be made, based on where you live and how you use the truck.
If you have a destination in mind with traffic congestion and difficult parking issues and you make the decision to drive a different vehicle, you should consider PS with a smaller steering wheel on your truck.
After I added the PS and PB, the decision to drive the GMC was never again a consideration - in good weather.

AC made the truck a real joy to drive anywhere, any time. I can go to any SoCal destination and arrive without a soaking wet shirt.

I have a 2018 Ram SLT 3500 with almost 10k miles on it. I drive the GMC.

Even before the Ram, I had a Vette. The last year I had it, I put 800 miles on it. I drove the GMC.

First off there is no such thing as difficult parking problems. If the truck fits in a spot it'll fit with or without power steering. Again if you struggle to park you are doing it wrong!
Second I can't decide to take a different vehicle. What you see in my signature are the only vehicles I own.

[ghackett1]

My truck has 4 wheel drum brakes and manual steering. I won’t change it because it personally brings me back to what I remember driving in the early 70’s.

Of course disc brakes and power steering are easier/better technology I won’t argue with that. To each his own.

[72c20customcamper]

I’m doing the PS swap on my 68 so my wife can drive it . I can park the truck as it sits anywhere with minimal effort . I’m also doing the disc brake conversion at some point because of where I live . Anyway I go getting out of where I live is a long 12-16 % grade hard on the manual drums and leaving it in second gear all the way down the mountain isn’t fun .

[67 twins]

Originally Posted by 72c20customcamper

I’m doing the PS swap on my 68 so my wife can drive it . I can park the truck as it sits anywhere with minimal effort . I’m also doing the disc brake conversion at some point because of where I live . Anyway I go getting out of where I live is a long 12-16 % grade hard on the manual drums and leaving it in second gear all the way down the mountain isn’t fun .

My wife has driven my half ton no problem.
Now disc brakes on the other hand are definitely worth the trouble. I've converted two of our trucks, my half ton had already been converted when I bought it.

[67C10Step]

I have converted to power disc brakes up front on my 67 and want to do power steering. Currently short the crank pulley but also trying to determine if my current power steering pump brackets will work on my 283.

Plan on keeping the three on the tree until I do an engine swap.

[72c20customcamper]

Originally Posted by 67 twins

My wife has driven my half ton no problem.
Now disc brakes on the other hand are definitely worth the trouble. I've converted two of our trucks, my half ton had already been converted when I bought it.

Mines a 20 bigger tires and mass to turn also the geometry is different making it a bit more if a strenuous activity . My wife can drive the Chevelle with no problem big block no power steering but it turns very easy

[70STOVEBOLT]

Originally Posted by 67 twins

First off there is no such thing as difficult parking problems. If the truck fits in a spot it'll fit with or without power steering. Again if you struggle to park you are doing it wrong!
Second I can't decide to take a different vehicle. What you see in my signature are the only vehicles I own.

Please tell us how to do it correctly.

[425HP409]

My Dad's truck that I now own, came with manual drum brakes and manual steering. It was a bear to steer at slow speeds. My Dad hit a bump in the pasture and the steering wheel kicked resulting in a broken thumb. I installed power steering the next week.

[72c20customcamper]

Originally Posted by 70STOVEBOLT

Please tell us how to do it correctly.

Don’t even try to turn the wheel stopped for starters. Always have to have a plan I find it’s easier to back into a spot . Make a sweep to line up let the wheel return going forward then back in . Parallel parking is a little harder but the truck needs to be moving when cutting the wheel . It’s definitely harder than with power steering . But there is also a lot of strain on the toe rods moving the wheels while stopped . This is one thing I’ve learned driving the Dodge with the Cummins don’t turn the wheel while stopped . Ya it turns but it wipes out the tie rods rather quickly. I have friends who’ve replaced inner and outer rods three or four times to my once in 200k miles

[toms68cst]

I once drove a 69 3/4 ton with manual steering around a farm yard. It also had big ol' bias ply tires on it. I couldn't believe how easy it was to steer even when parked.

I converted my truck to PS a couple of years after I bought it. Best thing I ever did to it.