Disc Brakes & Power Steering

Power steering was an option during the part of the LRS series run. It was not a popular option on the smaller trucks, so OEM setups are hard to find. But if you can find one, it should be a bolt-on install.

Dean

I have the Omni rack and pinion steering on my yellow 48 KB-2, it is manual and mounted on the axle with a slip shaft. It has worked good for the last 4 years with only the big bumps felt in the wheel, also you only have to get rolling and it feels like power steering. It is easier to steer then my manual mustang II rack on Rusty.
Bill

Thanks for the reply Bill but I am getting out of the IH business as a really sweet 65 Econoline pickup showed up and said buy me. I have a very special place in my memories for the econolines, I have put the IH on the sale pad.
JimG

Thanks for the reply Bill but I am getting out of the IH business as a really sweet 65 Econoline pickup showed up and said buy me. I have a very special place in my memories for the econolines, I have put the IH on the sale pad.
JimG

Crap! losing a good truck, I just hope whoever you sell it to doesn't cut the old body all to pieces and turn it into trash.

Bruce and I have similar projects going on, so I'm sure we'll continue watching this thread.

Wildmanbill, tell me more about the rack and pinion steering.
Also, have you finished the write up on your disc brake conversion?

I'm hoping for a "Disc Brake Conversion for Dummies" style for us mechanically reclined . Mine will be more like Nick's though.
Thanks,Greg

Power Steering EH?
YES WE CAN! I put power steering on a 1953 R120 and it was easy. I mounted the pump an a modified bracket that mounted on the block where the generator is. The bracket held both the GM Delco alternator and the GM Saginaw power steering pump. For the power box, I used a Saginaw power steering box from a Dodge 4X4 from a generation one pickup. As I remember, the frame mounting was very close to that of IHC. I cut the drag-link and threaded the end to fit a MOOG sleeve and used a matching rod-end to fit the Saginaw pitman arm. It might be necessary to re-clock the Pitman arm. You will notice that there are double wide splines on the sector shaft and in the Pitman arm. What I did was to cut the double wide index spline into two with a tri-angle file. Be careful and take your time, mark your place an get at it. There are different length Pitman arm lengths that can be used to change your steering response. Now might be a good time to buy a new MADE IN USA, Nicholson file just for this job. Sorry, I do not have a picture of the conversion.
This might be a good time to mention that the IHC 304 V8 is a direct bolt in to your truck, and since you are changing your steering anyway, this is a good time to put a V8 in the truck. Everything is bolt up and the fan fit the original shroud perfectly. I even added the automatic with the 304 V8. BTW, IT ALL FITS PERFECTLY.