brakes and steering

[redrider]

do any of you guys know of someone who makes disc brake conversions for a w200 and power steering conversions

[712edf]

Easiest way to get front discs is to swap in an Dana 44 from an 81-84 W250.

Bucky

[Boons]

Better yet do yourself a favor and go with a dana 60 front.

[NewcastleHoward]

If one was to make the shift to a 80's Dana 44 or 60 how do you bolt it up to the steering box? Do they use the same pitman arm, spring perches, etc?

[jimmy]

Front leaf springs are same lenght eye to eye. I installed a 92' dana 60Cummins springs and all, but the 44 is much less expensive and easer to find.
The first article in the powerwagon section is a great one. Has great pictures and detail.

Their is no bolt on style kits for Power steering. A few of us have built our own power steering kits. Mine is to box the frame ahead of the axle and install a 78-79 ford 3/4 ton box. I used a pitman arm that swings between the frame and springs. It's a push pull set up, but works very nice. A few of the guys have greatly improved on my idea and built cross over steering using the same box and clocking the pitman are differantly.

depending on the height of your truck and how much room you have between turned tire and frame, some guys have used the 70's-93 power box and bolted to the out side of the frame ahead of the axle, this is a push pull set up just like the factory did from 72-93. GM also used this for about 20 years.

Another great way to mount a box is to use a late 80's- early 90's Nissan box from a Pathfinder or Hardbody in front of the axle on the outside. The box is a mirror image of the ford box I used. Very heavy duty for import box and they can be had pretty cheap at pull'in saves. Still a push pull set up.

Others have used a ford and or toyota box in the factory location behind the axle on the inside of the frame.

Search this section and the suspension section and you find lots of articles.

[surfnuke9]

My 93 Dana 60 front is currently hooked up to the same pitman arm using a swedged end tube and Heim joints in place of the original drag link.

The only mod I needed to do to put it into my 71 was change the brake hoses and weld the shock mounts to the front of the axle tube.

[712edf]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Dodge-Si ... 5196078a20

Here's ya a 60!

Bucky

[NewcastleHoward]

So it would be simpler to stick with the manual box? I'm OK with that. I just worry about making a mistake on such a crucial safety component.

[712edf]

So it would be simpler to stick with the manual box? I'm OK with that. I just worry about making a mistake on such a crucial safety component.

Simpler yes..... I've never considered manual steering itself less safe than power assisted steering. Vehicles had manual steering for decades, on cruddy roads that were much worse than what we have today. But speeds were slower too.

A big problem with manual steering today is nobody is used to it anymore. They are used to the quicker/easier responding systems of modern vehicles...... In an way, automakers have taken the "driver" out of the car. Computers control everything.

Bigger tires make manual steering a booger bear at slow speeds.

Bucky

[Boons]

If you plan to do any more than mild offroading.....Powersteering is going to be a must.

[Sterno]

Bigger tires make manual steering a booger bear at slow speeds.

Bucky

This is where we Sweptliners get our upper body workout.
Even something as mundane as parallel parking becomes a chore with 35 inch mudders on a non-PS Swepty.

[NewcastleHoward]

I'm used to driving the 46'-68' PW's with 900-16's so I think I'll stick to manual steering.

[Hobcobble]

I'm used to driving the 46'-68' PW's with 900-16's so I think I'll stick to manual steering.

I'm with you on that Howard.
John

[Kaegi]

I'm used to driving the 46'-68' PW's with 900-16's so I think I'll stick to manual steering.

I'm with you on that Howard.
John

Me too! I have a PS set ready to install in my D300 sitting on the floor in storage. probably wont ever happen. with the 19.5s it steers real easy for manual. WAAAAY easier than my WCs and FFPWs