Steering boxes and frame cracks?

[divorced]

Do the 67-72 trucks have the cracks-in-the-steering-box-area problem that the 73-87(91) trucks have?

Are the steering boxes interchangable from 67-72 and 73-87(91)? (with the exception of the steering hose change in the 80's) Example - Will a steering box from a 1979 4x4 work on a 1972 2x4 that is being converted to 4x4?

Thanks.

 

[Burt4x4]

My 72 has a factory installed plate on the inside of the frame were the box bolts on. THe plate is held in by big factory rivits. So no cracking issues on mine. I don't know if all first gen years got them or not? I don't know why GM stoped putting them in on 73+ models?? Probly cost saver..

I'm not sure if the boxes are interchangable or not so maby someone can answer that one for ya.
Burt

 

[divorced]

Thanks for the information. What I might try to do is convert my '72 to a 4x4. Right now it has coils at all four corners, I would swap them out for leafs and I already have 2 sets of 3/4 ton axles sitting around so I would throw a set of them under there and hang a divorced 205 between them. I could use the 2wd box that is on there for crossover steering. Crossover costs more than I want to spend for it, but it would probably be worth it.

I don't know why GM stoped putting them in on 73+ models?? Probly cost saver..

I think they stopped doing a lot of things for cost savers. The 73+ doors either fall off or don't close properly on many of the older ones that haven't been fixed up. The doors on my '72 close perfectly. If only they still built things like they used to...

 

[K5MONSTERCHEV]

My 72 has a factory installed plate on the inside of the frame were the box bolts on. THe plate is held in by big factory rivits. So no cracking issues on mine. I don't know if all first gen years got them or not? I don't know why GM stoped putting them in on 73+ models?? Probly cost saver..

I'm not sure if the boxes are interchangable or not so maby someone can answer that one for ya.
Burt

Mine has something like that too. I just thought the dude before me installed it (although after seeing the rest of the truck, don tknwo why he owuld do that, lol) No cracks. I also made a brace to tie the frame rails together.

 

[supersize75k5]

lol I hear you on the doors closing thing, 73 plus seemed troubled to death due to design, any 67-72 out at the shop have little or no issues

 

[R72K5]

yeah in 71 72 there was factory steering brace

you dont really hear about frame crack problems nearly as much as 73 up

also did yo know that most 3/4 and 1 tons 2wd and all have factory brace bracket inside frame rail under the engine mount trees and above the suspension engine cradle ? i like to snag these braces from parts trucks and use them on my trucks, 1/2 ton, etc]

good luck

 

[Ressurection]

No frame cracks on my '72, but the rivets loosened up and caused about 1/4 turn of play in my steering. Ground/cut, etc the rivets off and replaced w/ beefy grade 8 suspension bolts and she tightened right up.....