71 highboy conversion to power steering

[mlheppl]

I decided to get a better look at the core support and see what I needed for clearance. I placed the support up onto the frame like I did before. I was standing back looking at it and noticed that the support was leaning towards the engine compartment. I tilted it forward and noticed it looked a lot closer to fitting but was still off just a skosh. I dug through my coffee can full of nuts/bolts for the parts I removed and saw the large washers that sit above the core support bushings. I thought: I wounder if putting these back in would make any difference. I placed the washers on the core support and was able to get both mounting bolts in. The curled edge of the support barely touches the steering sector. It looks like some minor trimming below the radiator mounting hole and I will have full clearance between the sector and core support.

Here's what it looks like:

[mlheppl]

The weather cooperated some today so I got to work on the truck again. I had ordered a new drag link, so I picked it up, Got my measurement for what the drag link length needed to be. 15 1/16" center of pitman arm hole to center of steering arm hole. Put the brand new drag link in the chop saw and cut it at 7 1/2" frim center of one spindle. Placed that end in the steering arm. Took the other end and put it in the pitman arm. Lined the two halves up side by side and marked where I neded to make my second cut, Removed both halves. Made the 2nd cut on the one end. Then ground both ends down to a V. Put the halves back on the truck and lined them up. I clamped a piece of 1" angle underneath to ensure that I had proper alignment. Then I tack welded the drag link.

before tacking


I then took the drag link to a machine shop that is ran by a family friend. He said he could have it ready by lunch time. While the drag link was being worked on, I cut the spacers for between the mounting plate and frame and got them installed. I used 3/4" pipe for the spacers.

tubing spacers installed:


After lunch I picked up my drag link. No money charged for the job, so I cleaned shop for him and he told me that cleaning shop was nice, but I was still going to have to help him pack his elk out of the mountains this fall. Fair enough!
Came home and installed the drag link and connected the hoses from the PS pump to the steering sector.

Almost done:

[mlheppl]

I've still got to correct the intermediate steering shaft. Debating on what to do. I'm leaning towards just buying a aftermarket shaft. I also still need to flush the system out and purge the air out of it. Before I can do that, I need to re-install the radiator support and at least the passenger side inner fender to support the battery and keep the radiator away from the fan. Getting close! ( I hope).

[zakt]

anyone ever do crossover steering with one of these?

What angle is your box at, is it pointing up to the steering wheel side, flat or??

[rattlecan]

Good to see that the conversion is working out. I am glad you put the spacers in, I did the conversion on my truck and made sure the spacers were welded in. I was paranoid about the frame squeezing in on me, there is an enormous amount of stress at that point. here is my conversion. I also notched the crossmember an inch because mine would not clear my core support.









I am using the highsteer setup so I bought high steer arms for the knuckles and a 4 inch drop pitman arm. I had to machine my right side knuckle down and drill/tap for the studs. I am making the crossover steering links this week.

Todd, the steering box sits level, no difference in the way it mounts up. everything for the high steer is a bolt up deal. I bought a steering shaft with universal joints, worked out great.

[averagef250]

I'm still trying to figure out why you got your box to fit there? I have always had to notch the crossmember just like Rattlecan just posted up.

Have you checked the radiator for fit? Do you have the little radiator or the supercool? I know the supercool mounts different, no way it would clear the box installed like that, but I haven't seen one of the little radiators in so long I don't remember how it mounts.

[mlheppl]

I haven't bolted the radiator to the support yet. My radiator is a 4 core radiator is that the super cool radiator? I'm assuming so. I believe the radiator that was in the truck was a 3 core radiator and I put this radiator in when I dropped the 400 in this truck I believe. Hoping to mount the radiator today/tomorrow, well when it's light outside anyways. What pictures or measurements can I take to help figure this enigma out? I'd like to figure this out as well.

Mike

[averagef250]

The supercool is 3 core, but it's much larger than the standard radiator. Aftermarket supercools have been made 4 core though.

The standard radiator ends at the top of the frame rails. The supercool extends down between the frame rails, nearly to the bottom. The upper and lower tanks on the supercool are much larger, the supercool holds another couple gallons compared to the standard radiator.

[mlheppl]

I was mistaken, my radiator has only 3 cores. I guess I thought it was 4 core because of the large upper tank size. sounds like the super cool as you described Dustin.

I got the radiator support and inner fenders mounted. I only had to trim about 1/4" or so off of the radiator support below the lower mounting hole to get clearance. I flushed out the system and bled the system out. I then took it for a very short test drive, around the block. Everything appears to work great.

I would still like to figure out why I was able to mount this sector without having to notch out my front cross member. I think this would be important info for others who may be contemplating this swap out in the future and come acrossed this thread in their research. What measurements can I take that would help in clearing this matter?

I believe that one of the reasons that I was able to make it work, is that I did not mount my mounting plate flush with the inside of the frame. Instead I mated it to where I cut out the rolled up part of the frame. This moved the sector outward just enough to make the sector fit with just minor trimming of the radiator support. Had the sector been mounted flush with the inside of the frame, then there would have been a lot less clearance.

[James72]

I know this is an older thread but did the rad fit good?
I see you mounted th box slightly in the frame compared to others and it seemed to cure the need to notch the crossmember
Also, the steering arm was how much too long?

[Doug Comer]

If I recall I had to cut part of the radiator supprot on mine, but I'm running a 2wd core support. I didn't cut the crossmember either.
Doug