looking into buying one of these first gens. they seem like great trucks, but i was wondering how they are with no power steering. any problems? and also if i get one is there a kit or something that i could get to convert to power steering?

 

i've had 2 1st gens(79 and an 82), both were power steering, easiest way to convert is to swap over all the parts from the same vintage w/ps

i can only vouch for PS
steering is pretty good, very tight, very responsive, but with a heavy, wide tire it gets sluggish

high steer is always an option..IFS PS box, and it replaces the push/pull type steering

 

Mine's an '81 2wd and as long as your moving, it's easy to turn. Otherwise it's not bad. it just takes some getting use to.

 

Im just getting used to having power steering in mine, all of my vehicles ive had were Armstrong.

 

haha, nice. so it's not that bad.

 

Nah, I don't really mind not having power steering. Its not all that hard, and I think it helps not wear your tires down.

 

my truck was armstrong for about a year. i kept putting off installing a new ps belt. it wasnt too bad.

 

It's not bad at all without p/s. I don't think it really needs it.

 

i have no power steering and i still drive with my knees, its not that bad.

 

Once your moving its not much different than p/s, as I said all the vehicles ive had before were non power and I actually like the feel of it better in cars, havnt had a non-power truck though but id imagine its no different. Its defently not a reason to not buy a vehicle lets put it that way.

 

if you have a 4wd its a bitch when your headed down a bumpy road without p/s might as well let go of the wheel, but i have had both 2wd and 4wd w and w/o ps and they were all pretty easy to drive.

 

My brother runs Welded front and rear, Yota axles and 34" LTB's on his Suzuki with non power steering its nasty.

 

At least he doesnt have to pay for membership at the gym.

 

best thing i did to the truck. totaly changed the driving .

mtm

 

Never had a problem without it and running 35x12.5s. as long as the truck is moving you don't notice not having it.

 

My 81 doesnt have p/s and I only have problems when getting stuck you cant turn very much to try and get out of a rut. Seen trucks less modified than mine get out of holes because they can turn more. Adding p/s is def my next project

 

My 82 doesn't have power steering and I never had a problem with it but its all I had ever driven up until I put the diesel in my 92. The diesels got power steering and it does make quite a difference going from the 92 to the 82. But its not that bad. One thing to remember though is keep those knuckles greased up well. When you fill em up with new grease you notice a difference almost immediately. Oh and turning when really cold is not that fun with the no power steering but overall its not bad at all. 70000miles without it was fine.