steering swap question - tie rods - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

DanJC · 11-02-2022, 02:55 PM

I have searched and searched and cannot find the answer. We are swapping a square body power steering box and center link onto our '67 with original power steering due to the non-stop leak of the '67 design.
Got the box fit to the frame and the bumper bracket cut for clearance. Went to bolt up the center link (it has the correct taper for the pitman are and there is no way to the original...) Looks like I need to use the square body inner tie rods (11/16) and the original '67 outers (5/8) to fit the spindle tapers.
In all the threads I have read I have never seen this issue addressed. Anybody have any help?? Thanks-

**pjmoreland** · 11-02-2022, 03:34 PM

I did a disc conversion on my '68 C/10. I've got the original centerlink on it with square body style drop spindles. My outer tie rods are outer square body style, and my inner tie rods are original '68 style, but they are outers installed in the inner position so that the thread direction matches what's needed to work with the outer tie rods. The inner and outer tie rods are connected with adapter adjustment sleeves. It seems to me that you could use this same arrangement, except installed in reverse, with the outer square body tie rod attached to your square body centerlink, and the original smaller outer tie rods installed in their normal position. Here are the adapter sleeves I used:

https://www.performanceonline.com/19...ONVERSIONS-Pr/

Another option might be to go back to your original centerlink and get a K6131 Pitman arm to match it.

May70 · 11-02-2022, 04:39 PM

One thing you may consider is pulling the squarebody spindles/hubs and swapping to discs. That way your whole system is squarebody components and youve upgraded.

Otherwise yes you need squarebody inners and 67 outers, call POL they have the adapters you just need to know the year.

DanJC · 11-02-2022, 05:59 PM

OK, I think I've got. I thought maybe there was some combo of stock parts I could use but if I understand correctly for this particular application the "adapter" is necessary. I made these and that seemed to solve the issue, everything seemed to fall right into place...

**pjmoreland** · 11-02-2022, 06:04 PM

Resourceful. I'm impressed that you had a 5/8-18 LH tap handy, as well as a LH jam nut.

DanJC · 11-02-2022, 06:37 PM

We've done some "hot rod" type chassis fab stuff in the past so luckily some times we the odd ball stuff laying around...

**MikeB** · 11-03-2022, 10:29 PM

Brings back memories! I bought similar tie rod adjusting sleeves back in the dark ages (mid 90s) from Golden State Pickup Parts to go from 69 inners to 73-up outers. Eventually went to a later model center link and documented all the P/Ns for the future owners -- my son and grandson.

DanJC · 11-04-2022, 10:15 AM

That's cool - would you be willing to share your part numbers?? Thanks

**MikeB** · 11-04-2022, 01:00 PM

The info is in an Excel spreadsheet. If I copy it here, the formatting is all messed up. Also tried attach it as pdf and html, and neither worked.

Send me a private msg with your e-mail address and I'll send it to you. If you don't have Excel, I'll send it to you as a pdf file.

11-02-2022, 02:55 PM	#1
DanJC Registered User Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Miles City MT Posts: 23	steering swap question - tie rods I have searched and searched and cannot find the answer. We are swapping a square body power steering box and center link onto our '67 with original power steering due to the non-stop leak of the '67 design. Got the box fit to the frame and the bumper bracket cut for clearance. Went to bolt up the center link (it has the correct taper for the pitman are and there is no way to the original...) Looks like I need to use the square body inner tie rods (11/16) and the original '67 outers (5/8) to fit the spindle tapers. In all the threads I have read I have never seen this issue addressed. Anybody have any help?? Thanks-

11-02-2022, 03:34 PM	#2
pjmoreland Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: CA Posts: 5,364	Re: steering swap question - tie rods I did a disc conversion on my '68 C/10. I've got the original centerlink on it with square body style drop spindles. My outer tie rods are outer square body style, and my inner tie rods are original '68 style, but they are outers installed in the inner position so that the thread direction matches what's needed to work with the outer tie rods. The inner and outer tie rods are connected with adapter adjustment sleeves. It seems to me that you could use this same arrangement, except installed in reverse, with the outer square body tie rod attached to your square body centerlink, and the original smaller outer tie rods installed in their normal position. Here are the adapter sleeves I used: https://www.performanceonline.com/19...ONVERSIONS-Pr/ Another option might be to go back to your original centerlink and get a K6131 Pitman arm to match it.

11-02-2022, 04:39 PM	#3
May70 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Hampton Roads VA Posts: 644	Re: steering swap question - tie rods One thing you may consider is pulling the squarebody spindles/hubs and swapping to discs. That way your whole system is squarebody components and youve upgraded. Otherwise yes you need squarebody inners and 67 outers, call POL they have the adapters you just need to know the year. __________________ 70 C20 Build link : Project Montezuma http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=794479 How to repair that rusted out 67-72 c10-c30! Please subscribe! https://www.youtube.com/c/MaycoCustomRestorations

11-02-2022, 05:59 PM	#4
DanJC Registered User Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Miles City MT Posts: 23	Re: steering swap question - tie rods OK, I think I've got. I thought maybe there was some combo of stock parts I could use but if I understand correctly for this particular application the "adapter" is necessary. I made these and that seemed to solve the issue, everything seemed to fall right into place... Attached Images

11-02-2022, 06:04 PM	#5
pjmoreland Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: CA Posts: 5,364	Re: steering swap question - tie rods Resourceful. I'm impressed that you had a 5/8-18 LH tap handy, as well as a LH jam nut.

11-02-2022, 06:37 PM	#6
DanJC Registered User Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Miles City MT Posts: 23	Re: steering swap question - tie rods We've done some "hot rod" type chassis fab stuff in the past so luckily some times we the odd ball stuff laying around...

11-03-2022, 10:29 PM	#7
MikeB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: North Texas Posts: 3,459	Re: steering swap question - tie rods Brings back memories! I bought similar tie rod adjusting sleeves back in the dark ages (mid 90s) from Golden State Pickup Parts to go from 69 inners to 73-up outers. Eventually went to a later model center link and documented all the P/Ns for the future owners -- my son and grandson. __________________ Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 35 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 24 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then!

11-04-2022, 10:15 AM	#8
DanJC Registered User Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Miles City MT Posts: 23	Re: steering swap question - tie rods That's cool - would you be willing to share your part numbers?? Thanks

11-04-2022, 01:00 PM	#9
MikeB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: North Texas Posts: 3,459	Re: steering swap question - tie rods The info is in an Excel spreadsheet. If I copy it here, the formatting is all messed up. Also tried attach it as pdf and html, and neither worked. Send me a private msg with your e-mail address and I'll send it to you. If you don't have Excel, I'll send it to you as a pdf file. __________________ Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 35 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 24 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then!



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