Power steering

[Bob H]

Finally got the M880 power steering conversion project completed!
What a P.I.A.
I've had the power steering box on it for a few months.
Got the pump pullled of an organ donor last week.
I was a little miffed at having to remove the fan & pulley to get a PS bracket bolt. that and draining the coolant out of the block

Got 'er done last night. Jumped in it this morning coffee in one hand, had to turn & back up so I grabbed the wheel, got the arm & shoulder into position for the Armstrong Steering, Dang near fell over
Oh yeah! Power Streering, Saweeeet!

 

[N1265]

Yep, That was the first thing I did to my unit. It was just to much of a pain jockying it around in the driveway.

 

[McGuyver]

That was one of the best mods I've done to my M880. With that large 14"(?) steering wheel, I can turn the wheel with one finger now.

 

[Hotrod1340]

Power Steering

Bob do you have some pictures of how this looks when completed, is there any more trick or tips you could share?

I am planning on putting a plow on it and i think you said something about a top mounted vs a side mounted pump...could i get some more detail?

 

[Bob H]

Wow! looks like someone had some luck with the search function! 2 1/2 year old post.
No pics...
Most newer plows have electric pumps, so that should not be an issue.
search junk yards & ads for a 75-77 W200, W300, or W400 with powersteering.
D series of those years will not work. I heard the pitman arm is different from manual to power, so be sure to get that with the steering box.
I beileve 78 & 79 can also be used, but you will need the whole steering column and the rod that connects from pitman arm to axle.

 

[Hotrod1340]

I cant seem to find one yet off a truck but i did find one off a van. would that work?

 

[Elwenil]

No, vans are a totally different setup.

 

[Hotrod1340]

I installed the powersteering gearbox, and i have been looking for the pump, the Junkyard just called and said they just got in a 78 3/4ton dodge pickup with powersteering will that pump and mounting hardware work? i am not sure if its 4 wheel drive or not?

 

[Bob H]

Should do it, brackets may be different for 6 cyl & big block though.
I think most of these trucks were 318 / 360 's.

 

[Hotrod1340]

Well I am taking a ride over there during my lunch, I did call them and ask them what engine it had and she said a 400 (i never heard of a 400) so i will check it out and at least get the pump....I called the local dodge dealer and he is useless (dosent have the right catalogs and just unwilling to help) I told him I try to spend money in the town I live in but he was still uninterested. Owell back to the internet.

 

[Hotrod1340]

ok, i went and looked a 2 trucks one was a 78 3/4 ton big block truck with AC i am almost sure the mount wont work, then I saw a 84 powerwagon with a small block and no AC do you think this will work??

Hey the power steering hose connecting points on the gearbox i installed pointout the right side of the box towards the frame is this correct? can i get a hose in there? One loks like it will be no problem but the one hose looks really tight.

 

[jimbo*]

I used parts from an '84 W250 with a 360ci. Steering gear and pump bolted on, no problems.

 

[Hotrod1340]

thanks jim, I will pick it up this week are the hoses easy to come by? a stock part at a auto supply? this truck is missing the steering box so the hoses were cut off.

thanks again

bob

 

[jimbo*]

I would assume the hoses are easily acquired--I had the complete truck at my disposal when I did the conversion.
Try a decent parts store, such as NAPA or Car Quest; I have commercial accounts at both, and find NO reason to try Autozone or the like.

 

[N1265]

Yes, The hoses do come out of the right side of the box. Here is a couple of pictures of the gear box on my M880. I got the complete set off of a 1979 Ramcharder.

The one picture ( a little fuzzy ) is of an adjusting screw on the right side of the box ( that can be adjusted threw a hole in the frame ) I think you might be able to get to the hoses by taking the rubber skirt on the inner fender out, but I am not sure...

 

[Hotrod1340]

N1265, thank you very much that is good to know, can i get a couple pictures of the mounted pump and the top looking down at the steering box? Your truck looks very clean.

thanks again.

 

[N1265]

Here you go, I flipped part of the rubber skirt up ( silver for some reason ) to get a better picture of the top of the gear box ....

 

[Hotrod1340]

that really helps, thanks, they pulled the pump today and i am going to get it tomorrow, they said it only has one piece of metal attached to it it is probably that front bracket piece....i will keep you posted

 

[Hotrod1340]

Well I didn't get the pump on yet but i am close, I need to find some longer bolts. Every bolt on this truck is to short to long and are bottomed out (valve covers leaking like crazy) and all are finger tight....

I got the steering box on last week and even though i don't have it hooked up i am noticing a drip/leak around the pitman arm shaft. is this rebuild able, or do i have to start looking a replacement steering box?

 

[Hotrod1340]

N1256, I have another question, at the top mount is there 2 plates? or is the big plate with the adjustment slot does that attach directly to the water pump?