power steering box

[bach4660]

is there a power steering box that can work with original axle/components?  I'm prepared for not bolt in, just looking for something half ways close.

Was looking at the Cpp cp5000 but now I think it is front steer.

[cavisco1]

I've always thought electric assist was interesting, Lots of these are used in GM SUVs. You'll need to modify your steering column to adapt the assist motor, but the suspension stays the same. There is a 3rd party standalone module  available to make the GM electric assist work without a computer. If the assist motor or module fails it defaults back to the manual steering you've always know.

Search ebay for Saturn Vue electric power steering

Search Google for DIY electric power steering conversion.

Good luck.

Scott.

[Plymouthy Adams]

while the electric steering units do the job as designed...I have driven a couple and to be truthful I do not like the over all feel of the unit at speed...but that may make it a better unit for these old car..the fact that they may never see a qualifying road speed...at last check by myself when this came up on a discussion one time before, the biggest hurdle had yet to be overcome in the retro market..a unit for the car over 2800 lbs..I also feel that if one goes this route that an alignment will be necessary to gain positive caster, without that...I think you will be in for one heck of a roadwalker..

[bach4660]

appreciate the response, would prefer hydraulic but maybe not possible.

[NiftyFifty]

The trucks are a rear steer design, which is why it's much more difficult to find a power box to try and wedge in there, and the space is another big factor as well.  The hotrod standard is a vega box, which is rear steer design, but like the electric, not designed for a truck the weight of our Dodges.  I went with a power steering rack from a Dodge Omni/Rampage, which yes is a light vehicle, but seems to be a tougher and better choice then a Vega box.  Been using this system for two years now, and works great..mounted right to the axle, no bump steer, some clearance issues, but extra suspension blocks solved that, and I'm getting my springs re-arched this winter, so hopping that will help a bit too.

Just a note on the electric design too...you don't have a removable steering column to work with on these trucks, so it would entail somehow mounting the new electric column to the original tube that is apart of the steering  box, which could be tough and somewhat unsafe....I looked hard at that until I realized that issue

 

[Drifter99]

I am in the process of installing the electric ps in my 48 truck. Just started yesterday by cutting the colum . Making my mounting brackets today. Went with the Saturn unit.

[NiftyFifty]

So how are you connecting the original steering shaft to the Saturn column?

[cavisco1]

On 11/10/2016 at 6:51 AM, Drifter99 said:

I am in the process of installing the electric ps in my 48 truck. Just started yesterday by cutting the colum . Making my mounting brackets today. Went with the Saturn unit.

Pictures Please!

[cavisco1]

On 11/9/2016 at 7:34 AM, Plymouthy Adams said:

I also feel that if one goes this route that an alignment will be necessary to gain positive caster, without that...I think you will be in for one heck of a roadwalker..

Probably a good idea for any power steering conversion.

[Drifter99]

Using the universal joint off the Saturn having a sleeve to connect to the steering shaft . And a sleeve from the  steeringwheel to the top of the unit 

[NiftyFifty]

2 hours ago, Drifter99 said:

Using the universal joint off the Saturn having a sleeve to connect to the steering shaft . And a sleeve from the  steeringwheel to the top of the unit 

But what connects the sleeve to the cut off hollow shaft? You can't weld to it safely, and pinning a hollow tube isn't an option either...only way I could see was spline the original shaft and somehow pinch a steering joint onto it