Power Steering Frame-Reinforcement Plate

[402Bowtie]

Does anyone know the history of the power steering frame reinforcement plate on 67-72 trucks? I've been thinking about some questions:

-What models had it? No 2wd trucks? Just some 4x4's? Shortbeds and Blazers only?
-Was there a firm date that GM began production on those models going forward? Are there examples from every production plant?


I have a 72 K20 that does not have the plate (built in Flint, May 1972).

I also have a K10 shortbed that does have it (built in Fremont, January 1972).

I'm surprised the K20 doesn't have it, especially given its later production date.

I did some thread searching and didn't find much definitive info. Let me know if something already exists.

EDIT: Perhaps we can develop a pattern based on our responses. Here is a summary of the replies:

(year & model, Build Plant, Build Month, member name)

Have Brace
1970 K10 SWB___ --_______--_______________Love 70 Chevys
1972 K5________St. Louis __--______________tim71
1972 K10 SWB___--________--______________Richard
1972 K10 SWB___Fremont___10/20/71____Custom/10
1972 K10 SWB___Fremont___1/72__________402Bowtie

No Brace
1971 K1500 SWB__Fremont__--____tim71
1972 K20________Flint_____5/72__402Bowtie
1972 K20________Janesville_6/72__57taskforce

[57taskforce]

I’ve always thought this one was funny. My early June 72 Janesville K20 does not have the plate. I wish it did. My frame probably wouldn’t have cracked. I’ve got the ORD repair plate and cross brace now though. My 69 short K10 doesn’t have the plate either. But then again the whole crossmember was missing when I got it.

[kwmech]

The only vehicle I've seen them on were the K5s. I bought one on this forum years ago and put it on one of my K30 conversion trucks

[tim71]

My Fremont built 71 K1500 SWB does not have plate, but my 72 St Louis built K5 does have the plate.

[402Bowtie]

Interesting - keep the replies coming! So far, it seems like it might have been a 72 model year thing for k5 and k10 trucks only.

[57taskforce]

Makes perfect sense actually because the K5 and short K10 use basically the same frame (obviously wheel base and cab mount quantity and spacing are different) but the frames are the same thickness. The long K10 and K20 use the same identical beefier frame, only axles and springs are different. I bet with the thinner frame gauge of the K5 and short K10 it necessitated the brace. (all the K trucks should have had it in my opinion)

[BigBird05]

It might be beneficial to find out what the frame vender was when you find a power steering frame reinforcer.

[Richard]

My current SWB 72 K10 has the factory frame reinforcement. I recall my last 72, a LWB K20 having it as well. Could be mistaken, many years ago. Current truck has two holes in it for a bracket at the front crossmember. Maybe only a bracket there on the K20. The holes almost line up with the separate reinforcement included with the ORD steering brace. If there is is a difference on some K trucks it is curious ORD only offers one brace for 67-72 trucks. Their brace allows for the factory plate. On rear most steering box bolts the upper steering box bolt does not go through factory reinforcement plate but the lower does.

[Dieselwrencher]

I removed one from a K5 and installed it on my Longhorn when I 4x4 swapped it. I'll have to check my K20s to see if they have them. I'm guessing not.

[CUSTOM/10]

My 72 k10 swb 4x4 has it.

[Love 70 Chevys]

My 1970 short box K10 has the bracket due to its one and only luxury......power steering! (Besides its dealer installed AM radio.)

[402Bowtie]

Originally Posted by Love 70 Chevys

My 1970 short box K10 has the bracket due to its one and only luxury......power steering! (Besides its dealer installed AM radio.)

Thanks for sharing. Do you know which plant your truck was built (represented with 6th digit in VIN)?

[402Bowtie]

Originally Posted by CUSTOM/10

My 72 k10 swb 4x4 has it.

I saw yours on your build thread, which got me thinking about this question. Do you mind sharing your truck's build month and assembly plant?

[CUSTOM/10]

Originally Posted by 402Bowtie

I saw yours on your build thread, which got me thinking about this question. Do you mind sharing your truck's build month and assembly plant?

My truck was built in the Fremont plant, don't know the build date.

[57taskforce]

Originally Posted by CUSTOM/10

My truck was built in the Fremont plant, don't know the build date.

Pm me with your vin or post it here and I’ll get you a rough date.

[CUSTOM/10]

Originally Posted by 57taskforce

Pm me with your vin or post it here and I’ll get you a rough date.

I'll pm you in a little bit.

[CUSTOM/10]

From 57taskforce's calculations my truck has an approximate build date of 10/20/1971

Gary

[D.PASSMORE]

Ive seen add in by owners that is usually bolted on the frame. If you have the frame rivets, top/bottom, that could define it as a factory install. Not to many people will go to the extent to rivet to frame.

[Love 70 Chevys]

Answer to 402 Bowtie: My truck is a 1970 model built in September of 69 at the Tarrytown NY plant.