64 C10 Front steering system question
 

I'm back from the dead. Mostly because my C10 spun a bearing on the 454 and it's time to do some upgrades to the project. This is a street truck in every sense. I'm looking at upgrading from manual steering in the truck. I'm wondering how far do I need to go to have a more modern feel.

A. Porter built front cross-member, coil overs, rack and pinion?

B. Rack and pinion only with a coil spring change (900 lb springs that have been cut already for the big block)

C. Traditional power steering and a coil spring change.

A splined sway bar is likely on the list for B&C above.

The truck already has the front suspension completely rebuilt 7 years ago, porter built control arms, and an upgraded sway bar. I want the steering tight / firm. Currently with the big block and manual steering when the tail swings out, the correction is soooo slow it's dangerous. Same if it's wet out. Considering a wilwood spindle upgrade and bigger front brakes as well.

My build thread is super old, and I'm departing the vintage build feel for something I can drive more daily.

Thoughts?

Re: 64 C10 Front steering system question
 

Here are my thoughts. Get weight off the nose and improve the balance on the truck. The slow reaction and the poor rain performance can be improved by getting rid of weight off the front and adding what you can to the rear. The physics you are fighting is hard to over come. If you can scale it you can see what the split is and work on ways to improve it.
Jimmy

Re: 64 C10 Front steering system question
 

Agreed. Fuel tank is moved to the rear, engine has aluminum heads, 35 spine axles in the 9" in the back (heavy).

Re: 64 C10 Front steering system question
 

Non-balanced rear to front seat base will also add to an understeer issue. Be careful how much rear antiroll bar you put in it. For cornering / mostly street use, I would put the biggest front seat bar in it I could.

900lb cut spring will end up with a higher spring rate, as wired as it sounds a bit front seat bar and lesser spring rate may be better. The fronts may stay together lessoning yaw rotation.

Wet vs dry is way different.