Power steering into '56 Chevy 4x4

[Leisure]

(Note, the above picture is not my project but a pic from the Internet. I use it to show how I plan to use the Scout II steering box)

I have a 1956 Chevy 4x4 pick up that has a D44 front axle out of a '72 Blazer. I am tired of the Armstrong manual steering and am ready for some power steering. I looked at using the steering box from the Blazer (or a GM Saginaw 2wd box for crossover steering) but because the 56 frame is wider in front than later model GM trucks, on a hard right turn the LF tire hits the steering box itself and limits turning radius to the right. I have studied and looked for a couple years and have decided to use a mid-70's IH Scout II ps box with a crossover setup. This box sits atop the frame rail and only the sector shaft is to the outside of the frame and won't interfere with tire movement.
My questions are:
1. will the power steering pump (and hoses) on my small block V-8 Chevy motor hook right up to the Scout II Saginaw ps gearbox? Both GM and Scout boxes are Saginaw brand so I hope the hose threads are the same .
2. will the end of a GM crossover drag link fit the hole in the pitman arm on the scout box, or do I need to swap arms? If so, will a GM pitman arm fit on the scout sector shaft? Will I need a custom pitman arm made or is there one out there on the market for this application?
3. Are there any other things I need to consider that I may not be aware of?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[diesel4me]

Years ago when I had a '56 3200 series pickup,I too hated the manual steering,it was worse than power steering with no belt on the pump--parking it was a nightmare...

I remember "Brothers" truck parts selling a P/S conversion kit for my 2wd pickup,but I'm not sure if they had one available for the 4wd trucks--I assume yours is a Neapco conversion ?..the kit for the 2wd allowed use of a later GM steering box off a full sized car like an Impala,etc..

That IHC gerbox "might" have the same hose fittings as a GM box--if not what I have done for many hot rodders and do it yourselfers at the parts store,was to cut the original (or new replacement hoses) in half,and put hydraulic fittings with pipe thread on both end and screw them together--,so you'd have GM pump fittings on the pump side and "stock" IHC hoses spliced together to match the gear box..

This of course was done as sort of a last resort,when looking through illustrated hose listings for one with the correct fittings on each end,or adapter fittings couldn't be found..you can change the "bung" in the P/S pump to match up to the early flared style hoses,or later "O" ring type..

I'm no help as far as the drag link fitment..

 

[ChrisPerry]

If you have room inside the frame you might think about an Astrovan box to keep everything GM.

 

[dremu]

2. will the end of a GM crossover drag link fit the hole in the pitman arm on the scout box, or do I need to swap arms? If so, will a GM pitman arm fit on the scout sector shaft? Will I need a custom pitman arm made or is there one out there on the market for this application?

The drag link end is just tapered, so it'll be easy to see if it fits. If it's too tight, you can have the arm reamed out, either by a machine shop, or DIY if you buy or borrow the reamer.

IIRC, the pitman arms are all similar and only differ in their length and whether they're "flat", or if the ends are offset. More info here https://ck5.com/forums/threads/crossover-steering-do-i-need-a-drop-pitman-arm.321368/

My remembrance is that your pitman arm should be the same length, center to center, as your steering arm (i.e. on the passenger side knuckle.)

WFO has a bunch of parts and info too, http://www.wfoconcepts.com/ and might be worth dropping them an email or phone call to talk about what you're doing. I *believe* the 2WD splined end of the sector shaft are all basically the same, so your choice of arm will boil down to length and whether you want flat or offset.

-- A