Power Steering.......!
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
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Power Steering.......!
I have seen on the forum about installing power steering units on the older pickups, but I don't want to do that at this time....Is there anything that can be done to make these old bruisers turn any easier......they are terrible....lol.....! Does it have power steering.....? NO....but it takes power to steer it......!
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 794
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From: Portland, OR
I can't see how anything else you could do for your steering system besides adding power steering could possibly be easier than adding power steering, especially if it's a 2wd. I suppose replacing all the bushings and tie rods in the front suspension might help steering effort or running narrower tires up front. Power steering is very easy to add. Should take a couple hours on a 2wd and less than a day on a 4x4.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 123
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From: WI
Put on a larger diameter steering wheel. The further the rim from the shaft, the less force it takes to create the same moment of inertia. Try cobbling a wheel from a '50's Mack truck--that should do it.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 5,130
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From: Brea CA
Worn king pins can make the steering hard. Try to lube up all the zerk fittings on the king pins and steering components. Also try inflating the front tires to the max inflation pressure on the sidewall.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: in the springs
wow maybee im just too dang big i rebuilt my entire front end (bushings, balljoints, springs and ujoints) then put a set of 31 10.5x15's on it and it has never turned easier
of course im 6'4" and pushin 240 and it ws never hard for me to turn the wheel on that truck
power steering by armstrong
of course im 6'4" and pushin 240 and it ws never hard for me to turn the wheel on that truck
power steering by armstrong
Last edited by Fritolay; Feb 12, 2004 at 11:20 PM.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,428
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From: Summit, NJ
Even if I had a complete power steering kit sitting in the truck, I think I'd keep the manual steering. I kind of like it! Feels more like a truck! 
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,209
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From: Black Hills of SD
I drove these trucks for many years without ever thinking I needed powersteering, but then I wasn't loving in the city either. When I converted my 72, I was living in Anchorage and commuting plus using the truck on service calls and it got to be a chore driving around town with the wider BFGs. I now live in a small town and drive a 68 without power steering and I get along fine. The manual brakes are a little jurasic though.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 170
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The thing that put me over the top was one night I'm slowing down to make a right turn. I got the clutch in to downshift to second (3 on the tree); right foot on the brake; it taking both arms to make the turn and shift; bright lights are on and there's a car sitting in the opposite lane on the road I'm turning onto. All limbs and appendages (well, almost all) are occupied and I need to dim the lights. How many arms and legs did people have in '68? Anyway, in went the c-6, the pdb and the ps. I love this truck!!
Dan B
'68 Ranger 360
Pop bought it new for $2605
BOS in the glove box
Dan B
'68 Ranger 360
Pop bought it new for $2605
BOS in the glove box
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,893
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From: Ohio
Try cobbling a wheel from a '50's Mack truck--that should do it.
Just happen to have another B model steering wheel out back
Even have a 8 turn lock-lock steering box also
Grease your king pins, keep a narrow tire up front. The two main things that will get it easier to turn.
Now if you really want to make it interesting...give it TWO shifter handles to move around while making a turn and not running anyone over. Thats what it takes to drive my old Mack. It has ARMSTRONG steering also
Larry
Last edited by Freightrain; Feb 13, 2004 at 10:54 AM.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 157
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From: Buckeye, AZ
When I first got my truck, it had a 13" aftermarket steering wheel with 31x10.5 15's all around, talk about ARMSTRONG steering!
I've put on a Grant 17" steering wheel, greased the front end and put on new tires, still 31/10.5 15's but they don't seem as wide as the old ones.
It's not too bad now, but the key is to PLAN your driving so you never have to turn the wheel if you aren't moving!
Thanks,
I've put on a Grant 17" steering wheel, greased the front end and put on new tires, still 31/10.5 15's but they don't seem as wide as the old ones.
It's not too bad now, but the key is to PLAN your driving so you never have to turn the wheel if you aren't moving!
Thanks,
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 731
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From: in the springs
i can sypathize with the old mack my dad used to drive a 72 cabover pete with armstrong steering i drove that truck unloaded twenty miles and was sore for a week i dont know how he did it cuz he is half my size. (6'3" and 150 with a pants load of bricks)
Last edited by Fritolay; Feb 14, 2004 at 12:30 AM.
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 35
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Thanks for the advice...adding power steering is something that I might look to do when the weather warms up some....The old stock steering wheel is already the diameter of a 55 gallon barrel...so I doubt that I want a bigger wheel....Are these power steering units easy to find? I know that finding these older units in the salvage yards here....well, the are as scarace as hen's teeth....My tires are new, and a matched set of four, but the are pretty wide....don't know the exact size.....Thanks for the advice.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 350
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From: Fairbanks USA
You can't beat power steering, power disc brakes, and an auto tranny on these trucks. Especially when you get older. I saw a complete kit for sale on ebay recently. Is yours a F100 or F250, 2x4 or 4x4?