Hi Y'All,

I am a newbie to this forum. I joined because I have just bought a '42 Panel truck. I own a hardware store in an urban area located in a warehouse built in the '40's. I bought the panel to run a small amount of deliveries and I wanted to be period correct.

Anyway, the panel has the older straight front axle (of course) and I am wanting to put powersteering on it since it will be a convenience driver. I have been searching the forum and see that a Toyota box seems to be the conversion of choice but everything I have read applies to '48-'60 models. I really do not want to get into an IFS conversion if I can help it. Does anyone have any experience with converting the older trucks to powersteering?

Thanks!

Bob

 

Ya know, there is someone (one of the Big Name Venders, but I forget who) that is selling a power assist for straight axles. You can find the nifo searching through the 48-60 forum, or post up the question there, someone may recall the name...I'll do a search in a bit to see if I can find it for you.

Downside was the price, I think it was 500.00 or so, but sure beats yanking the frontclip, a subframing/etc.

 

Oh hey,

Welcome aboard Bob, didn't realize that was your first post.

 

Hey Mike,

Thanks for the reply! I'm an old gearhead and love these forums for this hobby. Back in the day it took all sorts of diggin' and experimenting to get done what someone else has already done before. I figured with all the guys out there with these old straight axles there had to be something available.

I'll try posting something that might spark someone's memory.

Thanks again,

Bob

 

if you can find the peices late 50s t bird or fairlane adapts good

 

You might check out Mavalgear.com (I think thats the sight) anyways, it's Maval manufacturing in Ohio. They do an actual rack and pinion CROSS STEER setup. Gotta be careful IF you're planning to use a drop axle, but worth checking out.