Power Steering , Yes or No

[WDX700]

Well I'm new here. Just acquired a Sweptline, I have been searching for over 10 years for a truck like this. Pre 67 W300. Embarrassingly from Ebay, hey whats a guy to do. Some here may know me but most don't. Let me introduce myself. Drew Reed, Bought my 1st PW in 1993. Still have it #700 WDX . Have owned plenty of PWs since but for the last few years have been down to old WDX700. When I saw the 63 W300 come up on Ebay, I had to do what I had to do. Here's a pic. I have one small gripe, There has been a lot of talk here about Power Steering. I have to say I may be biased and got lucky with a very tight truck. But after driving a Flat Fender for over 15 years, who needs power steering . This thing is like driving a porsche compared to the FF. Anyway, I actually think PS might be detrimental to how nice this truck drives. I have a few plans yet to be finalized, but am glad this place is here as a resource. What a great truck Smiling from Ear to Ear!!

6BT, NV4500- We will see

Disc brakes up front for sure

Thanks in advance,

Drew Reed

[Hobcobble]

Welcome Drew. Looks like a
beautiful W300. You'll find a ton of good folks
and great information here. Keep the pics
of your W300 coming. Pics of the WDX700
are "encouraged" as well.

The "power assist" steering that was offered
on Sweptlines was not greatest set up. I, like
you, would much rather drive my trucks just
as they are with manual steering.
John

[digdoug]

I saw that truck on ebay.(where is the drool smiley?)

I have put power steering on several w200s and love it, but would never even think about changeing that w300 from stock.Its just too nice,and ORIGINAL!

[RH62]

wow.... really nice truck!!!!!

[WDX700]

Thanks,

Full pics to follow this week.

A little history,

Orders in 63 by Shaw Walker ( google the name) interesting story
64K miles since new, thats 1361 miles per year.
The canvas on the bed is bullet proof. ( traveled by trailer 2500 miles and is just fine. ) The crazy thing is , it has a canvas bed liner to match that is basically a drop in bed liner.
Yes it lines the entire bed floor sides and tailgate with heavyweight canvas. Its crazy and cool.
Windshield wiper res. is still hanging in the drivers side inner fender with a rubber pump button just above the "brights" switch to pump fluid onto the windshield.
Defrost and heat work, Fuel gauge not working, Zero/ 0 rattles driving down the road. My transfer case levers don't even rattle. One small rust area just behind the drivers front tire in some sort of shield on the back part of the inner fender front part of the cab. Purrs like a Kitten, no kidding, this thing is so smoooooth and compliant its laughable. I'm grinning ear to ear.

My first hurdle to overcome is 8X19.5 tires. I have been lucky enough to have bought a couple new sets of Firestone Super All-Tracs new in the past , but they are none existent now. Best option so far is the Goodyear G171, but at $275 each , OUCH.

I seem to find trucks that are just a little too nice t= chop up, but 6BT , NV4500 is tempting. I will probably see the light and leave it as it is. Front discs will be going on
within the next 45 days.

Pics and more to follow

Drew
Does anyone make repro seat covers?

[RussRoth]

My first hurdle to overcome is 8X19.5 tires. I have been lucky enough to have bought a couple new sets of Firestone Super All-Tracs new in the past , but they are none existent now. Best option so far is the Goodyear G171, but at $275 each , OUCH.


Drew

I bought 5 of those.

[jimmy]

Because sweptlines aren't high dollar collectables in most cases, I don't think upgrading to Cummins, disc and Power steering will hurt the value just hurt the feelings of purest. In fact I'm sure would raise value.
Don't get me wrong, I like to see things as they were.

I personaly would upgrade brakes and steering if the truck will see much driving or work for safety reasons.

Power Disc and Power steering would be a must with a Cummins.
Keep in mind a Cummins is nearly 1200 lbs.! So disc are a must. I don't know if you could steer at low speeds with out power.

Very nice truck.

[Jims68]

Looks Great! Welcome to the Sweptline Forums! I don't worry about power steering either. The manual steering is fine and besides... how else would I keep in shape?

Jim

[61pwcc]

Didn't you used to own a 1946 WDX Crew Cab oh, I don't know... 80 years ago. ATOMIC POWER WAGON ring a bell?? If I'm wrong I'm sorry!! I used that picture of that 46' Crew Cab as my start up screen for years!! Welcome whether I know ya previously or not. Very nice truck. My 61' W200 Crew Cab steers just fine w/o power steering. If it ain't broke....don't fix it!!!

[WDX700]

Yup, thats me.
One of my many regrets, selling that Crew Cab FF. Anyway, glad to be hear and thanks for all the input from everyone so far. Only had the truck for a couple days but have managed to put 200 miles on it. Need a fuel gauge sending unit, any ideas?

Thanks

Drew

[61pwcc]

Would you be willing to tell the tale of how you got the FF Crew Cab? Maybe post some pics? If its a sore spot, I'll leave you alone about it.

[magnumcid]

Very nice 'wagon. I love the W300+ heavy duty trucks. I have the original power assist setup, and while it steers easy, the number of turns from lock to lock is irritating, especially with that big wheel. I'm somewhat of a purist but I'd probably jump at the chance to swap in a Cummins and NV4500... and 205 case... and D60F... okay so I'm not much of a purist.

[WDX700]

Regretful yes, but not a sore spot. I sold it to Herb Hobbie in Oregon (Herb passed away not so long ago, I heard he restored it and sold it for near $50K). I wanted to buy a Power Giant. Here is a pick of the Power Giant ended up with as well as a photo of a FF CC, not mine but very similar. I got the FF from a friend in LA. It was originally a Glendale Utility truck. Mine was in need of total restoration including new frame. I had the parts, just not the time. The W200 was in very nice shape though not quite as nice as this pic shows when I got it.

58w200redcmsmall.jpg (16.51 KiB) Viewed 1074 times

[WDX700]

BTW, This new 1963 W-300 is so far the most enjoyable of the 20 some Power Wagons I have owned.Its my first Swepty probably not my last. Most have been FFs, a couple Power Giants and a very nice M37 V8. ( I know it sounds like a lot of trucks. You have to remember I got into this over 16 years ago and bought most of the trucks for under $1000. Good news is I sold most of them for a lot more)

Drew

[61pwcc]

Herb tried to sell me that same truck for 30K years ago. Too rich for my blood then and now. I think your truck is pic #3 and #63 under the crew cab section(pictures) of the powerwagon web site?? The only other 46' WDX Crew Cab I know of was in Kentucky. Used to be owned by a Bob Metcalfe Jr. I believe. Not much bed left in those trucks after adding another cab!!
It's curious to me that the 61' and later Crew Cabs pretty much came on a longer(146") wheelbase while the WM's were not.

[WDX700]

Good catch. Yes my truck at my old house in N. Hollywodd CA. That brings back memories. Thanks for the tip.

Drew

[61pwcc]

Bob Adler writes a monthly column for Vintage Truck magazine. He owns a restoration shop in NY. Say using brake shoes with a FF code stop as well as disc. He also believes disc keep heat too close to the axle seals thereby shortening their life span. This may help you update your trucks brakes as well... just my

[Kaegi]

Nice score on the ebay truck! I would have been bidding against you if i hadd the space for it! does it have the stock Hydravac brake booster? IF not it is a much less expensive alternative to a disk conversion. I was wondering why the fender emblems have been removed and it looks like the are was filled and painted? Was it a rust repair?

[WDX700]

Thanks for the tip on the booster. I will have to look into it. Yes there has been a respray. Front clip,doors and lower cab as well as bed fenders. The paint on the front passenger fender does not match. No sign of damage accident or rust. Welds are still in place at the back corners of the fenders to cowl. It needs a little TLC as expected. I have not looked that closely at the inner fenders to see what the story is with the missing emblems. I will be looking for a replacement set though. The respray is mediocre with surface cracking in the paint. Kind of strange as there is clearly no sign of any accident. I will be digging into it a little deeper after Christmas. For now I'm having a blast driving it around. Lots of comments from locals. "looks like the National Guard is in town" or the usual "is that an army truck". Nice to pull up next to a new full size 4X4 of any of the big 3 and look down at them though!!!

Drew

[soopernaut]

Welds are still in place at the back corners of the fenders to cowl. Drew

The fenders shouldn't be welded to the cowl. The factory didn't do that.