I've read lots of post, but not seen an absolute answer on gearbox changes to get power steering on a 47 using the straight axle setup. If is a detailed post can someone point me there. Not going IFS mine is a 1/2 ton Panel. I have seen a few PS boxes between 800/1000 bucks, but that seems more than a little over priced. I don't expect a direct bolt on. I'm sure an adapter plate would have to be made. If anyone has done this please need input. Pics, and what was used to adapt, and what boxes used would help. My 47 will have 4 wheel disc, and a 89 Mustang HO 5.0 EFI, auto setup, only thing holding me up finishing chassis so can put back under truck is steering. Pulling my hair out, (not much left to start with, lol) searching interweb trying to find a answer. Thanks in advance for any info.

 

Wish I could help you out, but I have been wondering the very same thing. The toyota setup looks great for the newer stuff. What donor box do us '47 earlier guys look for?

 

I've seen a couple pretty good threads in the 57-60 section on installing the Toyota box. I have one ratholed for some future use.

 

But the fridge trucks steer with a fore and aft motion of the pitman arm. IIRC the '47 type swings 'side to side' or crossways. Whole different setup, isn't it?.

 

Yes is a different steering setup.

 

My '40 big truck had the push pull steering and I had a power steering box from a mid '80's Toyota p/u that I was going to use but I had concerns as to how it would hold up to the 8x19.5 tires the '40 had. I never installed it and sold the truck with the original box in it. My '39 p/u has the cross steering box set up and it appears similar to the power steering set up found in a late '70's to early '80's GM 4x4. Might be worth checking out.

 

A 1978 Ford 4x4 truck gear box might work. They can be setup in a push/pull setup or crossover. They need to be mounted forward of the axle though for the steering column to have good angle.

Also my tonner used a crossover style setup I believe but my 1.5 uses a push pull style

 

I checked my '79 toyota landcruiser station wagon box. Push pull and if it's like everything else on the cruisers, it's a larger, heavier version of what's on the 4x4 pickup. '79 was first year for power steering.

 

. If you were referring to my post I was talking about a 78 Ford 4x4 truck not Toyota.

 

True but there are plenty of steering arms in catalogs that bolt right to the spindle.

 

I was refering to 5140's post about the '80s toyota box being too light for a 1 1/2 ton. Suggesting the landcruiser has a similar box, but bigger.

 

Oh I gotcha. My mistake

 

Have my disc conversion done. Been working through the power steering thoughts. With the limited space since chassis is 27" wide will have to use original column/gearbox, or a micro manual box. My plan now is to engineer a 1964 Ford power assist system I have that works with manual box to the truck. One question is can I use the original slow gear ratio box, or do i need a quick ratio box for the power assist. I can't find any info anywhere on this type of adaption, I doubt that I'm the first, but since no info not many have been done. Thanks in advance for any input.

 

Those power assist systems are complicated and clunky. Why not stay the course and find a good integral unit. The whole for and aft or side steer seems pretty moot. Many of those boxes you can index the steering arm where you want. I've seen cross steer boxes used on 4x4s by just rotating the pitman 90 degrees.

 

I have rebuilt the system, They work really well when everything is "right", plus there is that, be different factor. But for the engine setup, n brakes, want the truck look like someone took a 40s truck n hot roded it in the 60's