OK, so putting the old washer and dryer in my grammas shed, I noticed the original manual steering box and shaft to my 72 d100. We converted to power because as my grampa was getting older, it was hard for him to turn while parking it with the manual steering.

I'm not building a drag truck, but is it worth the weight reduction/HP gain by NOT having power steering? Does the one belt really rob THAT much power? I'm building a MILD 360, so there wont be THAT much weight on the front...

I JUST went through my power steering to eliminate leaks. New reservoir/pump and new hoses. It doesn't leak a DROP, but the gearbox is severely worn out.

Whats everyone running? single choice
	Power steering
	Manual steering
Votes accepted starting: 05/23/13 03:42 PM You must vote before you can view the results of this poll.

Putting 10.50 x 15s on the front of the '64Dog turned parking into a nightmare. It actually is a good upper body workout and I like the way it looks.

Power steering is better, and if you run a Hydroboost power brake setup it runs that too. Going from 24:1 ratio to 16:1 or whatever means less flailing of the elbows on twisty roads.

I am trying to figure out a "modern" power steering retrofit for the Dog.

Gearbox is worn out? What's to wear out? the recirculating ball setup should run basically forever. There are a couple of bearings and a bushing or two, that's all there is. Steering slop can be mostly adjusted out. I've found more play in idler arms than in the box.


R.

the adjustment bolt/screw is turned all the way in. The steering is super super loose, and i can grab the wheel at an idle, and "spin" it, let go and it'll keep turning to the stop at the wheels on its own.

either its really really great power steering, or its worn out. The parts were what my grampa found in the pick a part, except the pump is off a 79 van 360 that i bought.

I really like the power steering on my truck. I had a '70 that had manual steering. What a pain in the a$$. As far as weight is concerned, I wouldn't worry about it. It's a truck!

My toolbox weighs more than the steering box. I converted mine from manual to power. No noticeable power loss, and way less steering effort. And I did the swap when the truck still had a slant six.
My

I put a lot of extra effort to put power steering in cars and trucks that didn't have it, make mine power steering. Gene

I'll drive either. My old daily driver/work horse was a manual stirring/manual trans 318 3/4 ton and I ran 295/75-16s. Try backing up a loaded trailer. I loved driving that truck. Wife first truck was a slant six auto manual steering. Its really what you prefer

For a drag truck I voted manual.

You lose a good amount of weight, and parasitic drag.

I am a big fella with big upper arms so a manual steer,manual brake,manual shift hot rod is what I like.

it takes more driver input when flying and no sleeping at the wheel.

power anything makes one lazy when driving and tends to cause over steer when you get out of the groove.

a tall skinny tire on a manual steer car/truck helps a lot when at slow speed manuvers. my 68 dart was a bear with manual steer and a 205/75/15 but with the drag skinnys 3.5rim/165/15tire I could palm the wheel lock to lock sitting still.

my truck is a lot better with the 215/75/15 than with the 10.50 up front for sure.