Builds A 60 Runs through it… (2 Viewers)

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In the engine bay we need to locate the tach wire. We have a few harnesses and aren’t sure which one it’s in.

The 2F gets its tach reading from the distributor. Start there.
 
My power steering gear box is leaking fluid pretty good. These are expensive. Can they be rebuilt?
Looks like I should upgrade to an 80’s series gearbox. Heavier duty and prolly much better for the conversion.
 
Looks like I should upgrade to an 80’s series gearbox. Heavier duty and prolly much better for the conversion.

Not really heavier duty, but they do have a bigger power piston so you’ll get more steering assist. I just put one on mine a few weeks ago. The 80 pitman arm is better for a SOA 60, less drop means less chance of the drag link hitting the driver’s side spring under full bump.
Keep in mind you need to go to tie-rod ends, the 60 ends don’t work in the 80 arm. And good riddance, the 60 relay rod is horrible.
 
Not really heavier duty, but they do have a bigger power piston so you’ll get more steering assist. I just put one on mine a few weeks ago. The 80 pitman arm is better for a SOA 60, less drop means less chance of the drag link hitting the driver’s side spring under full bump.
Keep in mind you need to go to tie-rod ends, the 60 ends don’t work in the 80 arm. And good riddance, the 60 relay rod is horrible.
Where did you get your 80s gearbox and about how much?
 
Where did you get your 80s gearbox and about how much?

It came off an 80 roller I had.

I wouldn’t pay more then $150 for a used high mileage steering box.. keep in mind the newest original 80 steering box is 21 years old, which means 21 year old seals and o-rings.

What year is your 60?
 
7/85
I see these remanufactured ones with new rings and seals but they aren’t cheap. There is also a core charge.

Ok, good, your truck is in the year range that an 80 box will work on.

I’d take your chances on a used one, and if it leaks re-seal it yourself. The seal kits are cheap and if you can do an engine swap you can reseal a steering box.
 
Ok, good, your truck is in the year range that an 80 box will work on.

I’d take your chances on a used one, and if it leaks re-seal it yourself. The seal kits are cheap and if you can do an engine swap you can reseal a steering box.
I posted a wanted on the classifieds. I found this company and they are in your state. $299 but they are sold out.

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@cruisermatt I got ahold of @Deathvalleypaul and he has an 80s power steering gearbox. I only need the 80s tie rod ends but can use my 60tie rods?

No. The 60 drag link tube will be too short. Regardless, I think the threads are different, the 80 ends are M23 and the 60 relay rod ends are M21 if I remember correctly.

You’re going to have to make a custom draglink. This is a big can of worms, I know.
You are still planning on doing a SOA, right?
Might be better to wait until you have new steering arms and build you whole steeeeing setup at the same time.
The Ruffstuff GM 1-ton kit would work really well for you.
 
No. The 60 drag link tube will be too short. Regardless, I think the threads are different, the 80 ends are M23 and the 60 relay rod ends are M21 if I remember correctly.

You’re going to have to make a custom draglink. This is a big can of worms, I know.
You are still planning on doing a SOA, right?
Might be better to wait until you have new steering arms and build you whole steeeeing setup at the same time.
The Ruffstuff GM 1-ton kit would work really well for you.
Thanks a lot Matt. This forum is awesome!
 
Ordered the 0 degree Ruff Stuff SOA kit yesterday and got 10% off thanks to Morgan. Ordered new NV4500 5 speed stick shifter this morning. That sure is exciting.

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Ordered the 0 degree Ruff Stuff SOA kit yesterday and got 10% off thanks to Morgan. Ordered new NV4500 5 speed stick shifter this morning. That sure is exciting.

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The degree kit you order doesn’t really matter in my opinion, the only difference is that plate that goes under the passenger side perch and I am not a fan of it. I didn’t use it in my conversion and slowed me to drop that spring perch 1/4-1/2” on the axle tube. If you want to use it you have to grind the hell out of it for it to fit.

That steering box will work, and an 80 TRE will work with the 80 box obviously, but it won’t fit into the 60 passenger side TRE. The tapers are different.

$150 is a lot for two TREs.. Like I said, it may just be more straight forwards to convert everything to the GM 1-ton ends with the Ruffstuff kit.
 

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