Electric Power Steering on early column?

[1973Guppie]

I'm more worried with sketchy frame mods and linkages with the conventional systems. The # of posts on this forum fixing a PO's power steering is staggering. I wouldn't consider trucks with power steering mods when I was searching. With EPS it's a simple bolt-in operation. I bought a spare column for the mod so it can be swapped back. EPS isn't going anywhere. It's been around since the early 2000s at least and isn't going anywhere. Time to evolve.

exactly, it can be reversed very easily and completely removed. I would argue that a minitruck setup and / or a saginaw (and the variants) are all much less reversable. This is why it has become popular because people don't want to do major mods with these trucks with the cost of the stock components and the associated value with keeping them stock.

 

[xtremeVA]

Check out Epowersteering.com. They offer a kit and @abqcruiser did this type of conversion on his FJ55.

 

[Racer65]

Another take on this question...
Does anyone know the feasibility of swapping out the one piece column / steering box on an early truck and replace it with the two piece column / steering box from a later model?

 

[Living in the Past]

Another take on this question...
Does anyone know the feasibility of swapping out the one piece column / steering box on an early truck and replace it with the two piece column / steering box from a later model?

67 and earlier the steering box is held with a clamp. Not sure but think the pedestal is different on the 68-72 then the 73+. Been curious if the four rivets the mount the pedestal to the frame are in the same location could switch the pedestal without any other mods and drilling any new holes. Would use grade eight bolts. If they made button head bolts strong enough would look real close to stock. Key is location of the rivets on the different frame E-67, 68-72 and 73+.

 

[Rusty 72]

Here is a 10/71 frame with a 02/74 pedestal. Bolted on with no modifications.
I have been thinking about installing the later column myself. Where the 4 bolt flange is on the column is very close to the stock 72 firewall. Probably could move column down an inch or so then make a solid metal plate to secure the lower part of the column. @Coolerman has all the adapter harnesses for the electrical issues.

 

[badsamaritan]

hey @1973Guppie, I don't know how far you got with this, I have been looking into it myself. Here is a article from Hot Rod about the prius EPS system.

Electric Power Steering Increases Horsepower and Saves Fuel - Hot Rod

Thanks to the proliferation of electric power steering in modern cars, hot rodders now have power steering options that increase fuel economy and power!

www.hotrod.com

PS. I haven't forgotten about bringing you my rig, I just cant seem to get it roadworthy, currently knee deep in electrical gremlins which is keeping me from having tail lights, turn signals or running lights.

 

[Coolerman]

Someone asked if the early column outer shell separated from the steering box? It does. However the inner shaft (that the steering wheel attaches to) is one piece and part of the steering box. You have to disassemble the steering box to remove it.
Link to a page that shows all of this: Steering Column Rebuild