I had wanted to keep my cab as original looking as possible when I had IFS
and power steering installed in my TF. I emailed 'ididit' and they said they
could machine an adaptor for $75 to let me use the original 18" wheel and
horn button with their column. The shop that welded in the IFS said the
original wheel was heavy and unnecessary, as it was designed to transmit a
lot of torque to the steering column. With power steering it would be a
hindrance, moving a lot of mass around when it didn't need to be. I went
with a LeCarra Mark 10 wheel and a big moon horn button. The Mark 10 is
smaller and lighter and looks like it belongs in a '50s vehicle. The steel
'ididit' column is larger in diameter, 2.250" vice 1.750. We made a new dash
hanger out of sheet metal identical to the original and welded the bottom of
the column thru a hole in a 4.5" x 9" piece of sheet metal that we bolted to
the floor. Aftermarket dash hangers and toeboard clamps are available
machined out of aluminum, but if you weld the column make sure the levers
(shift, turn, tilt) are level.
http://www.lecarra.com/mk10.shtml The Mark 10 is 15" diameter with no dish,
I have it bolted to
a black adapter 3.5" tall.
Dave '57 3100
-----Original Message-----
Subject: Re: [oletrucks] well i got it
The Box and column are one piece on orig AD, and you can use it only if you
cut it off at firewall, put a bearing in end of tube and make/buy a mount
for firewall and use U-joints and shafts to go to whatever type of steering
box you put in after. That's what you do for the kits you mention or you use
modern short column as said to get the turn signals, maybe cruise if used
and wiper controls like a newer truck/car has. Also for tilt wheel, which
your old column will NEVER be!
My Opinion, rebuild the stock front axle with kingpins, tie rod ends and
disc brake conversion, plus new steering link, it will be like new.
G. L. Grumpy's
----- Original Message -----
Subject: RE: [oletrucks] well i got it
> On Mon, 10 Nov 2003, Tom C. wrote:
> > I may go with power steering later down the road, and if I can keep my
> > original column I will do that, but I don't think it will work if I go
to
> > power steering.
>
> There is no reason you can't have power steering with the stock column. I
> know chevy duty has a conversion that adapts a 73-78 power steering box.
>
> --
> Scott H. Zekanis
oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
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