steering box interchange

[anteek]

I'm piecing together a '40 pickup. The frame and cab are '40;I have a chance to get a '48 car steering box and column. Will this fit? i'm building a driver and don't mind making a few modifications that aren't oblvious.

 

[Mart]

I used a 48 box and shaft in my 40. Used the 40 mast and had to shorten the shaft a small amount. If you don't mind doing minor mods, you should be able to make it work ok.

Mart.

 

[Ol' Ron]

I like the 525, it's like power steering.

 

[Samson]

Ron,
What is a 525?

 

[TomT/Williamsburg]

The 525 box is Chevy's manual steering box - I'm running a Vega steering box in my 40 coupe right now - steers great.

 

[Bruce Lancaster]

If you can get hold of the steering shaft chart in one of the '28-48 parts books it will give you the overall lengths of the various '37-48 shafts so you know how much things are going to move. There are a bunch of applications same length as the '40, differing only in the drilled hole for the part that engages the steering lock.

 

[Scott De Shields]

The only problem I have found with the 525 so far is finding exhaust headers that will work without modifications. Would like to run cast iron Fentons but will probably have to go with modified tube headers.

 

[TJ]

The cast Fentons will not work with the 525. You will have to use the tube headers made by Speedway for the Vega box or possibly Red's Headers has a set that will work.

 

[richard crow]

the orignal 40 box works fine.

 

[Scott De Shields]

Thanks for the response TJ. Already talked to Red's and they said they would need pictures of the steering box/engine clearances to build the left side header to fit (would do it at no charge). Will look into the Speedway headers for Vega box