Power Steering conversion for an '81 4x4
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
Power Steering conversion for an '81 4x4
Hey folks,
New to the forums, so apologize if this question has been answered before (but i couldn't find it doing a search)
i'm about to the pull the trigger on an 81 DLX 4x4, however my biggest gripe is that it has manual steering. I haven't been able to find any power steering conversion kits, so i'm assuming that I need to part everything out individually (as it was an option in 81).
Anyone ever gone down that road before, and if they have, has it been a complete pain? tips?
Also, I have found a full kit from an 85, and the seller has told me that if you re-position the cooler line and reservoir it will work. that sounds a bit sketchy to me though... thoughts?
This may or may not be the decision point on going down the rebuild path
New to the forums, so apologize if this question has been answered before (but i couldn't find it doing a search)
i'm about to the pull the trigger on an 81 DLX 4x4, however my biggest gripe is that it has manual steering. I haven't been able to find any power steering conversion kits, so i'm assuming that I need to part everything out individually (as it was an option in 81).
Anyone ever gone down that road before, and if they have, has it been a complete pain? tips?
Also, I have found a full kit from an 85, and the seller has told me that if you re-position the cooler line and reservoir it will work. that sounds a bit sketchy to me though... thoughts?
This may or may not be the decision point on going down the rebuild path
#2
Registered User
shouldnt be too hard, I plan on doing this swap on my 79. also just for street driving the manual steering isnt too bad just make sure everything is greased properly.
as for offroading I wouldnt want to be crawling on rocks with manual steering, would be super hard imo.
as for offroading I wouldnt want to be crawling on rocks with manual steering, would be super hard imo.
#3
Registered User
iTrader: (2)
I', not sure what years are compatible, but I found all the parts needed from one truck, an 82, at a pick and pull. It wasn't much of a problem installing it since I had all the parts required. BTW, my truck is an 81 4x4 long bed. The cooler fits behind the grille and the reservoir bolted right in as the the mount holes are all ready there. Make sure you get the pressure line that runs between the pump and steering box, all other lines are basically return lines with no pressure.
#7
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iTrader: (2)
Here are some pics of what I have installed before my tear down on my 81.
Power steering box, mount bracket, pressure line and cooler with lines
Pump and mounting bracket
Belt tension bracket and pulley
Pulley add on that bolt to the front of crank pulley.
Sorry, didn't get the reservoir pic, but you get the idea of the parts required..For reference, I'm upgrading my alternator and mounting it on the right side. Hope this helps
Power steering box, mount bracket, pressure line and cooler with lines
Pump and mounting bracket
Belt tension bracket and pulley
Pulley add on that bolt to the front of crank pulley.
Sorry, didn't get the reservoir pic, but you get the idea of the parts required..For reference, I'm upgrading my alternator and mounting it on the right side. Hope this helps
Last edited by Lons81; 10-30-2012 at 08:44 AM.
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#10
Registered User
Ah yes, bracket, too. That thing is hard to figure out where to put. All the holes are hidden behind other things. Unless you've got your engine out of the truck and all cleaned up! Nice.
#13
Here are some pics of what I have installed before my tear down on my 81.
Power steering box, mount bracket, pressure line and cooler with lines
Pump and mounting bracket
Belt tension bracket and pulley
Pulley add on that bolt to the front of crank pulley.
Sorry, didn't get the reservoir pic, but you get the idea of the parts required..For reference, I'm upgrading my alternator and mounting it on the right side. Hope this helps
Power steering box, mount bracket, pressure line and cooler with lines
Pump and mounting bracket
Belt tension bracket and pulley
Pulley add on that bolt to the front of crank pulley.
Sorry, didn't get the reservoir pic, but you get the idea of the parts required..For reference, I'm upgrading my alternator and mounting it on the right side. Hope this helps
Lons, do you still have these pics anywhere?
#17
Registered User
iTrader: (2)
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