1969 W100 Sweptline project

[98yota]

Hi everyone! I've been viewing this forum for a long time and figured it's time to join. I am the proud owner of a 1969 W100. My grampa bought it new. When I was 12, I worked for hard for him and in return he surprised me by giving me the old pickup! The motor is a 383, which we put some time and money in to, it has plenty of power (understatement). It has a 727 torque-flight transmission. Prior to the truck becoming mine, my grandpa had some interesting modifications made to the steering. The steering was converted to power steering. The steering arm and drag link were custom made. Judging by the constantly braking steering knuckle bolts it was not the best design! This could also be to me being a knuckle head highschool kid with a 4X4! I parked the truck in my dad's driveway and went off to college. Low and behold 10 years have passed and I'm back in my home town with a family and home of my own. Now it's time to get my old truck back on the road!

Prior to leaving for school, I purchased a open knuckle dana 44 out of a 3/4 chevy truck to replace the old closed knuckle setup. I also have the P/S pump and steering gear from the Chevy. I would like to mount a P/S steering gear in the location the mid 70s dodge trucks had and do a cross over set up. Are there any kits available to do this? Or what do I need to make? I know the Dodge purists won't be happy I want to run an axle from a GM but I only paid $50 for it and it's in great shape! Thanks in advance for your help and support! I am excited to get this baby going! Here are some pictures:

I know she's a little rough, but I'll get her back in shape!


http://pbckt.com/pw.JaWWGx


http://pbckt.com/pw.JaWye1


http://pbckt.com/pw.JaWWI1


http://pbckt.com/pw.JaWWL4

Here's that odd steering setup.


http://pbckt.com/pw.JaWXOo

[jimmy]

Welcome!
The Dana 44 should be pretty easy to install.
Things to think about with the Power steering: I was going to do the samething but ran into this problem with most boxes I mocked up.
1. If you use crossover with the box on the out side of frame, the drag link and pitman arm (in a right hand turn) will pass between the frame and springs. So if you dont have a 6inch lift thier is not enuf room without spring and or frame to drag link contact.
2. If you mount the box on the outside of frame and use push/pull drag link I found that my pitman arm/drag link would contact tire. I have a medium Dish 9.75 wide wheel with 33x12.5x16.5 tires. not that large.
3. I found my open knuckle 1992 Dana 60 turned far sharper than the closed knucle 1969 HD dana 44 that I removed. So install the new axle, check your turning radious then mock up steering. I would think the newer dana 44 with turn sharper to.
I now guys have done it but I'm pretty sure thier trucks are lifted up. Sorry i can't see the pictures at work, I'll check them later.

I'm sure you saw the links already, but this is what I did. remember whatever you do, Plate and or box the frame otherwise the frame will crack. Power steering have many times more torque on a frame than non power. This is what mine look like.
viewtopic.php?f=17&t=20020#p140495
viewtopic.php?f=17&t=34532

[jimmy]

now that I've seen the pictures, a couple things jump out.
1. Lift blocks on a front axle are a big no no. The blocks create a very weak point at the ubolts. The safe way to lift the front of a truck is lift springs, or add a lift springs. Blocks are perfectly fine in the rear.
2. what steering box is mounted to the inside of the frame? The pitman arm is sticking up rather than down. sticking up is the opposite of how a factory box would be. which indicates a box turning in the reverse direction.
Anyway, I really like the idea of doing away with the stuff that you have, man it looks scary.


Just food for thought. I hope this helps.

[98yota]

The blocks are just there to help mach everything up, I have new leaf springs for the front. This steering setup is pretty crazy and I definitely want to update it!