Power Assist Swap

Suspension, Brakes, Tires, Wheels steeringetc..
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FourDoorScore
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Power Assist Swap

Post by FourDoorScore »

Hello All,

Been reading this forum since I bought my D200 Crew from Trey in '08. I have since acquired a parts truck w/ PB, PS, spare gas tank, clear windshield, etc. you know, all the normal reasons. Since the power assist will need a rebuild, and before i spend the money, it seemed wiser to measure twice. so i'll ask you all.

the doner truck is a 68 2door shortbed d200. 383/727 with 8 lug power assist front. the axle is solid and it looks like the kingpin is retained on the back of the wheel hub/spindle. the steering linkage connecting both front wheels is about 3 inches from the back of the axle.

The Driver Truck is a 65 Crewcab d200. 440/727 with an 8 lug no power front. the axle is solid and it looks opposite form the doner: the kingpin is retained by the axle which splits into an over and under piece. the hub/spindle is retained by the kingpin between the over and under pieces of the axle. the steering linkage connecting both front wheels is about 7-8 inches from the back of the axle. This axle appears like is could beat the doner axle into submission.

So, are these units compatible at all?

Can i use the power assist on the crew cab?

will the difference of 4 inches affect the steering geometry, and will the ram have enough "throw" to achieve a lock to lock turn?

please pardon my lack of "parts" vocabulary, and i'll try to post pix if i can make my camera take smaller pictures.

any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks all

FourDoorScore
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Re: Power Assist Swap

Post by FourDoorScore »

Here' pix:
Here is the '65
Here is the '65
and here's the '68
and here's the '68
I hope these show up...

712edf
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Re: Power Assist Swap

Post by 712edf »

I think those are examples of what is refered to in axle terminology as "Elliot" & "Reverse Elliot" axles. :thinking But I am not certain.

I dunno as to compatability with power assist units.

Bucky
1966 W500
1975 W600
1978 W200 club cab

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wideblock
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Re: Power Assist Swap

Post by wideblock »

that truck had power assist on it when i got it. that is if you are referring to my well missed crew cab long bed :pale . the units will swap. most axle parts differences dont matter. what matters is the diameter of the center link, are they the same? if not the brackets wont swap properly. what else matters is the lock to lock. make you a mark on the center of the axle, and the center of the drag link. turn all the way to one side and measure, then go the other way and do the same. repeat on the donor truck. see if they are close. i will tell you right now they will be different. when i converted the truck to manual steering i also got under it and adjusted the bump stops to work with the wheels i had and get the max turn out of it possible. with the power assist on there you will limit your turn radius over what it does now. the ram only goes so far, and you must adjust the bump stops back where they were to fit that. then youll need a foot ball field to get that boat spun around. according to the parts house, 61-68 all share the same steering arm, so you should be golden there. good luck if it ever breaks, parts are nearly impossible to find.


post a new pic of the whole truck, i want to see it again. did you ever change front tires??? it steered a whole lot easier with the 235/85/16's up front then it did with the ones on it when you got it.

another option, not that it needs king pins. but convert to bearing kings instead of shimmed kings and she will feel real close to like its got power steering.
Trey

1965 CSS Utiline.


ex trucks:
70 D100
66 d100
66 d100
67 d100
69 d100
69 d200 crew cab
65 crew cab
66 d100
66 d100


"i don't know it all, but i know enough to be dangerous"

FourDoorScore
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Re: Power Assist Swap

Post by FourDoorScore »

Hey Trey,

thanks for the info on the steering. I gather you took it of because it didn't work so good, or it went on a different truck.

I got the assist parts from a 68, and those guys in ohio have quoted me about $1200 for a completely rebuilt power assist, all new everything. still, new baby girl due soon so i don't have money for extravagances. maybe a project for spring i hope.

same exact wheels and tires. not even a flat.

I have three split rims, and i when i get a fourth , they will get new tires all around.

still have a ton of intentions, still lack time and skill. whats a body to do then they really only like old things. hell, i'm passing broken down cars from the mid 90's, so why would i want a new one?

Trey, this truck has more character than many people do, and living in new orleans, that's saying a lot.

Ill send pix, but it looks mostly the same.

RW

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Re: Power Assist Swap

Post by wideblock »

i would throw the split rims away. those things are dangerous and its getting real hard to find someone who will work on them. whati had on the front was a 16x7 rim with a 235/85/16 tire. i could turn the truck one handed. when i swapped the steel wheels on there there was a consderable difference in the way the truck turned. i could no longer do it one handed,and it didnt ride as well, didnt hold the road as well either. if memory serves those were 245/70/16's on those wheels. the lower profile and larger tire gave a much larger contact patch and made it a real bear to turn compared to what i was used to. that truck drove like a dream with the tires and such i had on there, i was actually embarrased to hand it over the way she acted with the wheel and tire swap. after i had talked it up so much, to have it behave like it did really bothered me. if i were you i would grab some nice quality tires in the size i mentioned before going too far. may even pick up a used set just to try it out. the alignment was set on that size tire, so was the turning radius. believe it or not the aluminum wheels even made a difference. less wieght, easier to muscle around, plus they had a different offset that put the tire a bit closer to the fender edge, this helped as well by widening the stance slightly. i put many years i that truck, if you need anything im an email or post away, i remember it like it was yesterday.
Trey

1965 CSS Utiline.


ex trucks:
70 D100
66 d100
66 d100
67 d100
69 d100
69 d200 crew cab
65 crew cab
66 d100
66 d100


"i don't know it all, but i know enough to be dangerous"

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Re: Power Assist Swap

Post by RH62 »

Sounds like the wheels you put on had a negative offset. They look good but make leverage work against the steering. I suspect the scarbird disk brake kit would do about the same. Until there is a decent power steering option I think it's best to stick with a 0 offset in a wheel choice.

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Re: Power Assist Swap

Post by wideblock »

7" rim with 3.75" of backspace is what i had on it if memory serves me. damn near centered. but the factory style thats on there is like a 4 to 4.5" backsace.

to add something else, with the power steering you will also need the angled shims to correct the caster for the power set up.
Trey

1965 CSS Utiline.


ex trucks:
70 D100
66 d100
66 d100
67 d100
69 d100
69 d200 crew cab
65 crew cab
66 d100
66 d100


"i don't know it all, but i know enough to be dangerous"

FourDoorScore
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Re: Power Assist Swap

Post by FourDoorScore »

OK, OK.

Lotsa things to think about and measure and measure again. Thanks again for all the info Guys (or Gals).

its gonna come in handy when the decisions start to happen.

RW

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Re: Power Assist Swap

Post by wideblock »

hey man, what did you do with the poly that i built?? if you still have it, lets talk.
Trey

1965 CSS Utiline.


ex trucks:
70 D100
66 d100
66 d100
67 d100
69 d100
69 d200 crew cab
65 crew cab
66 d100
66 d100


"i don't know it all, but i know enough to be dangerous"

FourDoorScore
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Re: Power Assist Swap

Post by FourDoorScore »

I still have it, but sadly it blew. I haven't figured it out yet, but it was most likely oil loss. to the bottom end. sounds like a connecting rod. I'll keep it, to try to rebuild if possible, but its at the bottom of the list.

Kids
house
maybe a new car
school
food
trucks that run
trucks that don't run
engines that run
engines that don't run

more or less...

RW

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