General power steering info wanted

[overdrivesteve]

Hi,

the steering on my 62 c120 with 304 v8 is the old style of all one piece, from the gear box to the steering wheel. I'm not a mechanic and only somewhat familiar with two types of p/s in general. First is the common power steering gear box where the pump hoses go directly to the steering box.

The other, the style I used on my old Chevy, retained the stock manual box but used a drag link valve assembly to apply pressure to a cylinder ram. Did IH ever use such a setup in any of its trucks, in particular its loadstar trucks? (here in lost angeles there are no IH trucks for me to look at for comparison). I would prefer that drag-link type of setup as it reduces the stress on the steering box and retains the in-cab stock steering column appearance.
I know the seals must be replaced every couple years, and drag-link ram assist May not be as powerful as modern p/s, but that is ok with me. I would prefer the ram assist type of p/s unless, unless a 2-piece IH steering column set-up was available using a rag joint where the in-cab part of the column and wheel was identical to that of a 62. Did IH ever make such a 2-piece set-up compatible and similar in appearance with the 62 cab, either light duty or loadstar heavy duty?

How do people upgrade to power steering and retain the stock steering wheel, turn-signal steering column in-cab appearance, especially when they have the one-piece steering column? The only way I know when the steering column is one piece is with the drag-link style of power assist.

Also is the same p/s pump used for both light duty and heavy duty (loadstar) applications? If a difference, in my searching I will be looking for the higher pressure and capacity p/s pump of a loadstar. Would brackets be the same?

Thank you.

Steve

the second half of this video shows what my steering column and dash should look like:
'62 International Harvester and the automobile driving museum: hcctv - youtube

And here is a pic of my type of steering column assembly but installed in a newer type of truck cab (at least newer than my cab):

 

[gustaferic]

Gurus-please respond!
I too need to change to power steering for my 1965 c 1200 awd with factory winch up front. It's a beast to drive! Ps would make a world of difference.

What would work? Where do I get it?? I'm desperate!

Thanks, gustaferic

 

[FDChappie]

I saw a picture of a ram assist that was an interesting setup. This was a 4x4, but the ram was mounted to the frame at the fixed anchor point of the right front spring. The ram was between the frame and spring which protected it nicely and a steering arm was added to the right front wheel. Don't know where you'd fine one though.

 

[overdrivesteve]

I saw a picture of a ram assist that was an interesting setup. This was a 4x4, but the ram was mounted to the frame at the fixed anchor point of the right front spring. The ram was between the frame and spring which protected it nicely and a steering arm was added to the right front wheel. Don't know where you'd fine one though.

Hi,
I don't suppose you mean this set-up? From my internet research (not always very reliable) it appears to be still used on some tractors, but I have no idea of which makes or models. I always thought that was an ideal way to add power steering to an existing manual setup - just add a p/s pump, change the drag link and attach the cylinder to the frame.


And an even easier way would be to just use an electric high-speed, water-proof industrial actuator instead of the ram cylinder, and use a steering wheel control module like used on some of the modified electric steer street rods. That would totally eliminate all hydraulic parts. I even found a company that makes such actuators. I wish I had the money to play around with this kind of stuff.


Steve

 

[overdrivesteve]

Hi,

I think I figured out my power steering problem, or rather part of it. I had a power steering box that came with some other parts I purchased awhile ago. The person told me it was for their Scout, but they never installed it. I never thought much of it as I want something much more heavy duty than a Scout drive train in my crew cab truck.

Well, today I cleaned the steering box. The grease, grime and mud was about 2 inches thick, and while cleaning it I found someone had written 70 IH on it, so I assume it was for a 70's IH truck and not a Scout. Additionally, with a google image search, I found the exact same box mounted in an IH truck - so now I see how it mounts to the frame. But I don't understand the pitman arm / drag link connection. Will someone please enlighten me.

Re pitman arm:
are there two connections on the pitman arm for different length drag links? Or is it intended that two drag links are to be connected to the one pitman arm at the same time, one for each wheel knuckle on an axle like shown in the last picture below? If not, what would be the purpose of that other drag link connection on the axle's passenger knuckle? What is the "stock" purpose of having two drag link connections to the one pitman arm? Are there catalogs available of different pitman arms of different lengths and configurations for this (and/or other) steering boxes?

Re steering box rating:
what axle/vehicle/gvw is this box rated for? The number stamped into the body of mine is exactly the same as the one shown mounted in the picture below: 7809253. The pitman arm has the number 448356 cast into it. And the aluminum top has the number 5686555. (there are other numbers too, but they are only partially visible). And will this box have enough rated reserve strength and capacity for a rockwell axle like shown below if/when I upgrade my axles?

Re steering box mounting:
is the picture below the best way to mount this box? Can you suggest other ways, or are there other ways to mount this box documented somewhere? Is that a custom made bracket or are mounting brackets available either through the store here or elsewhere?

I have lots more questions - but for now my final request is for people to please post links here to power steering conversions on IH trucks.

Thank you.

Steve

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Rockwell axle

.

 

[overdrivesteve]

Just posting a few more pics as I try to figure out how to convert my truck to power steering...don't suppose anyone makes a complete bolt-on kit for a 62 c120 IH 4x4?
Steve
.
. IH power steering box:[/color ]
http://forums.IHPartsAmerica.com/attachments/basic-tech-questions/20263d1371709485-general-power-steering-info-wanted-IH-4x4-ps1.jpg[/img ]
.
. [color=red]IH power steering box:[/color ]
[img]http://forums.IHPartsAmerica.com/attachments/basic-tech-questions/20264d1371709485-general-power-steering-info-wanted-IH-4x4-ps2.jpg[/img ]
.
. [color=red]IH power steering pump:[/color ]
[img]http://forums.IHPartsAmerica.com/attachments/basic-tech-questions/20265d1371709485-general-power-steering-info-wanted-IH-4x4-ps3.jpg[/img ]
.
. my manual steering box:
[img]http://forums.IHPartsAmerica.com/attachments/basic-tech-questions/20260d1371709400-general-power-steering-info-wanted-62-c120-4x4-ms1.jpg[/img ]
.
. my manual steering box:
[img]http://forums.IHPartsAmerica.com/attachments/basic-tech-questions/20261d1371709400-general-power-steering-info-wanted-62-c120-4x4-ms2.jpg[/img ]
.
. my manual steering box column:
[img]http://forums.IHPartsAmerica.com/attachments/basic-tech-questions/20262d1371709400-general-power-steering-info-wanted-62-c120-4x4-ms3.jpg[/img ]
.
. [color=red]IH power steering box:[/color ]
[img]http://forums.IHPartsAmerica.com/attachments/basic-tech-questions/20263d1371709485-general-power-steering-info-wanted-IH-4x4-ps1.jpg[/img ]
.
. [color=red]IH power steering box:[/color ]
[img]http://forums.IHPartsAmerica.com/attachments/basic-tech-questions/20264d1371709485-general-power-steering-info-wanted-IH-4x4-ps2.jpg[/img ]
.

 

[carnuck]

Loadstar is considerably different for ps. My '71 1800 ls has ps and pto but no brakes at the moment. I'm looking at modding the original system so it stops well enough to drive to the scrapyard with all the excess Jeep and other junk stuff I dragged home over the years. I'm pretty sure it has a ram setup (I'll get pics)

 

[jeff campbell]

hi,

I think I figured out my power steering problem, or rather part of it. I had a power steering box that came with some other parts I purchased awhile ago. The person told me it was for their Scout, but they never installed it. I never thought much of it as I want something much more heavy duty than a Scout drive train in my crew cab truck.

Well, today I cleaned the steering box. The grease, grime and mud was about 2 inches thick, and while cleaning it I found someone had written 70 IH on it, so I assume it was for a 70's IH truck and not a Scout. Additionally, with a google image search, I found the exact same box mounted in an IH truck - so now I see how it mounts to the frame. But I don't understand the pitman arm / drag link connection. Will someone please enlighten me.

Re pitman arm:
are there two connections on the pitman arm for different length drag links? Or is it intended that two drag links are to be connected to the one pitman arm at the same time, one for each wheel knuckle on an axle like shown in the last picture below? If not, what would be the purpose of that other drag link connection on the axle's passenger knuckle? What is the "stock" purpose of having two drag link connections to the one pitman arm? Are there catalogs available of different pitman arms of different lengths and configurations for this (and/or other) steering boxes?

Re steering box rating:
what axle/vehicle/gvw is this box rated for? The number stamped into the body of mine is exactly the same as the one shown mounted in the picture below: 7809253. The pitman arm has the number 448356 cast into it. And the aluminum top has the number 5686555. (there are other numbers too, but they are only partially visible). And will this box have enough rated reserve strength and capacity for a rockwell axle like shown below if/when I upgrade my axles?

Re steering box mounting:
is the picture below the best way to mount this box? Can you suggest other ways, or are there other ways to mount this box documented somewhere? Is that a custom made bracket or are mounting brackets available either through the store here or elsewhere?

I have lots more questions - but for now my final request is for people to please post links here to power steering conversions on IH trucks.

Thank you.

Steve

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Rockwell axle

.

Steve,your 1st 5-6 pics of the pwr.strg box, is just like 1 I took outa '73 1010 2wd,wagonmaster/t'all,mounted inside the frame, thats a good idea with that fabbed bracket on the outside of the frame ! Jeff

 

[overdrivesteve]

loadstar is considerably different for ps. My '71 1800 ls has ps and pto but no brakes at the moment. I'm looking at modding the original system so it stops well enough to drive to the scrapyard with all the excess Jeep and other junk stuff I dragged home over the years. I'm pretty sure it has a ram setup (I'll get pics)

Thank you, I really appreciate seeing how the power steering is set up in other trucks, especially the heavier trucks as I've never seen any of those parts or configurations.

steve,your 1st 5-6 pics of the pwr.strg box, is just like 1 I took outa '73 1010 2wd,wagonmaster/t'all,mounted inside the frame, thats a good idea with that fabbed bracket on the outside of the frame ! Jeff

Did it also have the two drag link connections like this box has? How were they connected?

Thanks.

Steve

 

[jeff campbell]

Yes it did,exactly like that,Jeff