As you might know I'm very picky when it comes to my Sweptline. I don't mind non-stock parts, but they have to fit without any cutting, and they have to look like they were made for the truck; I don't want to add any parts that might look like they were aftermarket.
Well the CPP box delivers on both counts. It fits, it works, and it doesn't attract attention.
Here are some notes on the install and some pictures:
Box mounting
The preproduction box I got came with a flat mounting bracket already drilled for the sweptie bolt pattern. I had to add thick washers on each of the mounting pads to match the frame rail dimples. It is my understanding that production boxes will come with spacers. Everything cleared fine and I was able to bolt the box in without issue. The stock bolts (7/16-20 by 1 1/2) were plenty long enough. The pitman arm shaft goes through the frame hole without any problem, as already noted.
- Looks like the stock one.
Because the new box is wider it does move the steering shaft over by about 1/2". This is an issue with every Sweptline power steering so far, but it seems pretty minimal with this box. The steering column jacket is now at the very bottom right corner of the hole in the floor. The floor plate fits fine, but the rubber seal underneath of it does not have enough slop to clear. Note that my truck has Lifestyle era cab mounts, which are 3/8" taller than stock mounts, so there is even less clearance than other trucks might have.
On mine, I just moved it over and put the screws through it into the floor but CPP is working on a replacement rubber gasket.
The lower column mounting bracket does not fit with the new column position on my truck. CPP fabricated a new bracket that will put the column in the correct place. I believe this will be included in the kit, but check with Francisco.
- CPP-fabricated floor bracket. Works perfectly to hold the column in the new lower position.
- You can see how the column is moved over from center, and down. A truck with stock cab mounts would have it up a little bit.
Pitman arm and steering linkage
The pitman arm that CPP made is the same length as the stocker and works great. However, the outboard position of the new arm (because the steering box has a much longer shaft) pushes the back of the front tire into the drag link at the extreme left turn angle. I have asked CPP to make an arm that is cranked in by 3/4 inch so that the steering will get full lock. As soon as I get it I will post some pictures. Otherwise the box gives the same lock as the factory manual box (actually it gives MUCH MORE angle than the factory power steering ram, even with the pitman arm position).
- Tire runs into drag link on hard left turn, could get more turn with a bent inward pitman arm.
steering lines
My truck has a saginaw box and the fittings on the included hoses worked perfectly.
Verdict
AWESOME!!! The truck steers like a new truck. 3 1/2 turns lock to lock on the box. With the large stock steering wheel, effort when stopped is less than the factory manual steering with 5 1/2 turns lock to lock. On the road, it is amazing. I went from the factory power steering, which provides excellent boost but no road feel and no turn radius, and this is a vast improvement. And honestly, I spent about as much restoring the factory power steering as this setup is going to sell for.
Stand by for more updates when I get the new pitman arm.
cant wait for this to hit the market, count me in as a buyer 
