power steering for my 61

[61shorty]

just inherited a 61 short bed 2 wheel drive with a 318 and 3 on the tree...want to ad power steering. i know they had it later on but was wandering if any conversions are being done..i want to keep the straight axle. thanks.

[Rodger]

Sir

Be glad that you are able to aquire to the truck as
you just have. Most of us save our funds ony to
find out it is a piece of junk at gold prices, was
sold or that we can not get a title.

The reason for you to inherint the truck may not be
good, but I still envy you. Welcome to here.

Oh Yeah, for your pwr steering, try rolling slightly
while moving/turning the steering wheel. As you
master this others will tell you how to spend
your money.

Rodger & Gabby
COS

[61shorty]

uh....not what i had in mind for an answer, but....thanks.

[nfury8]

Welcome!! We love pictures of trucks. Hint, Hint!

Unfortunately there is no one, or easy answer. But you can get an idea of what others have done
in the following threads.

viewtopic.php?f=20&t=19017
viewtopic.php?f=20&t=16782
viewtopic.php?f=20&t=17036
viewtopic.php?f=20&t=15208
viewtopic.php?f=20&t=11032
viewtopic.php?f=20&t=15341

I have been documenting the complete rebuild and modernization of my crew cab in this thread.
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=14030
The steering upgrades start towards the end of page 9.

[MountainMoparRobin]

61shorty, nfury8 gave you a good start, I'm looking at doing a power steering conversion and having the donor vehicle being a Dakota or Jeep Cherokee, the box will sit on the inside of the frame and the only modification I see of right now is to move the shock tower to the rear of the straight axle, Old_Blue here in Colorado has a power rack from a 2002 Ram 1500 pickup mounted on the straight axle, he'll be at the September Cruise, I'll get pictures of it then.
Roger there is no vehicle that you can't get a title for, I've been down that road and yes you can, unless you don't have the desire to do whats needed. Sweptlines are very inexspensive still,

[61shorty]

thanks for all the replies and support.........now i just need to figure out which way to go with my new toy !!

[Russ]

uh....not what i had in mind for an answer, but....thanks.

Well, I had to laugh when I read Roger's solution to power steering: just turn while you are moving.

Roger is a great guy but sometimes he has some strange ideas. You'll get used to his replys if you check this forum frequently. He almost always has good information but sometimes more than you wanted. Just don't ask his opinion of putting a big block engine in you truck.

Just joking with you, Roger, LOL.

[61shorty]

i did get a good laugh out of it...sounded like one of my answers !!...i did try his idea, and you know what ?? it works !!!!

[wally426ci]

My thoughts exactly Russ.

Im really curious of what methods people are using on their trucks myself.

[Russ]

My thoughts exactly Russ.

Im really curious of what methods people are using on their trucks myself.

Fortunately I got a Prototech setup while they were still available. Someone posted pics recently of a Ford crossover setup installed on their truck. If I didn't already have PS I think I would duplicate that. It looked fairly straight forward. I would also investigate using a later model Dodge cross steering box or a rack and pinion.
If you have wide tires on a Sweptline, either 2X4 or 4X4, you will need PS.

[soopernaut]

My manual steering was never that bad except in tight spaces. All my Sweptlines had 235 75 15s on the front. If all your steering and front suspension components are in good working order it isn't really that bad without power steering. If everything needs replacing then it is probably better to upgrade to power. With that said I'm still upgrading to power by putting my truck on a newer frame.

[61shorty]

i learned to drive in this truck....no it's not that hard to steer, but now that i'm a little older i thought it would be kind of nice to have power steering......i want to keep the straight axle and i'm rebuilding it...tie rod ends, king pins,steering box, brakes,etc.it should steer fine..until i decide which p/s to go with. also changing the cab and bed.. hope to have it up and going in a couple weeks.

[nfury8]

I was surprised how well the manual was in my crew when I got it, better than any other
manual steering vehicle I had ever driven. However, I knew it still wasn't what I wanted
on a daily basis. Now that the Toyota box is in, I couldn't be happier! The effort and
feel is very much like the rack and pinion feels in my Dakota!! About the same number
of turns lock to lock even! It still has the big steering wheel, while the Dakota has a
15" steering wheel. So I imagine it might get a little stiffer if I reduce the wheel size.
Much better feel and response than the factory hydraulic assist on my 71 Adventurer SE!

[junkyarddodge]

Scott i know how you feel about the hydraulic assist steering and mine was starting to get that way also but after i adjusted the steering box it got a lot better. I think i'll spend a little more time and adjust it a little more and keep trying it until i get it where there is a bit of road feel. I know there are a lot of folks who say it's a crappy system for feel and handling but it should'nt have to be that way after all corvette's used basicly the same system and i don't hear people saying they handle crappy. I am also thinking of changing the caster wedges to give it a bit more caster to help with high speed road feel. If this works out i will let you know. junkyarddodge

[MountainMoparRobin]

Gentlemen, while out at the "U pull n pay" I saw 3 Dodge 3500 Vans, low and behold the box sits in a way it may fit very easy into an existing Sweptline, in the same location as the current saginaw.

[mopardwh]

Well I know I'm jealous! I finally just picked up the 65 long bed I've been eyeing for years, only to spend hours of labor to make a 61 shortbed clone like you get to start with!

to the forum!! How about those pics!

[nfury8]

The hydraulic steering is going to a goner very soon! Fired up the truck to go renew the plates and
the steering fluid was empty. Filled her up and 2 days later it was dry again, with a nice 6 foot
by 2 foot steering fluid streak down the drive way! IT IS SO GONE!

[MountainMoparRobin]

If you have a chance look at a Dodge Van 3500 gear box.