steering decisions

[kencombs]

I am working on my 56 1/2 ton and need to decide what steering it will get.  A few years ago,  I purchased a Toyota PU power steering gear for the older solid axle Toys.  They are really popular with the 54-56 F100  crowd.  Compact and sort of the same mounting format, horizontal fore and aft pitman travel so fairly easy to mount.  Arriving at the correct pitman arm length and splines seem to be the biggest hurdles. well that and building a PS pump mount and drive. But, the availability of GM electric boost columns at good pricing sort of muddied the waters.  So I was tempted to change.  But, that requires a good tight original box to work well.  Then I discovered the Volvo electric PS pump that could solve the  pump issue.

 

Bottom line, I want PS but want to keep the cost to a manageable level.   A stock box rebuild is several hundred, an electric boost is a few hundred more.  Since I have the Toy box the Volvo boost pump is looking better.  Any sage advice born of experience.?