• From: Northern Illinois
  • Registered: 2004-03-27
  • Posts: 1,105

Topic: Late steering box in early car, bolt in ?

My '53 Zwitter has what I believe a 54-55 beam & the steering box is a mess. Leaks, wanders all over the road etc. I need to pull it off to rebuild it but when I do I'd like to still drive the car to a few shows etc. I have a new 66-77 Style steering box in stock. Will the late steering box fit the early beam and can I simply swap the early pitman arm onto it or do I need some special conversion pitman arm ?

-Darby
  • From: New Castle, Indiana
  • Registered: 2004-03-29
  • Posts: 725

Re: Late steering box in early car, bolt in ?

Boy Darb I wouldn't know.  I am sure there is someone out there that can help.  Gee you have helped us so much we feel guilty when we can't  help ya back.  Gip

My restoration site.  Gippers 1975 SB La Grande
http://www.shenry.k12.in.us/Buildings/T … /index.htm
  • TomB
  • Moderator
  • Offline
  • From: Austin, TX
  • Registered: 2004-03-27
  • Posts: 1,095

Re: Late steering box in early car, bolt in ?

Well, looks like the steering box for 46-60 was the same, then changed. BFY does list a "61-65 Pitman Arm" as required when fitting a new style steering box to a 60 and earlier car.
http://www.bfyobsoleteparts.com/Steerin … -pg-1.html

  • Registered: 2007-03-27
  • Posts: 2,422

Re: Late steering box in early car, bolt in ?

Yeah Im not sure on the Interchangeability by experience ??
But my book show's 62 too 77 Steering box on a Std Beetles are the same !
   My west coast book show's 61 too 77 same parts number ??
As too pitman << been this route on many different car's Ford , Chevy , Nissan Toyota Etc.
  Basic rule of thumb is if they Index the same << Look the same etc. Usually then they are the same ? Remove and match them up ? Count splines etc and check the Indexing on the splines is the same ????
  Not much help Im afraid ??? As my Part's book's show nothin on Early Steering Boxes ?
                                                           Sean

  • From: Northern Illinois
  • Registered: 2004-03-27
  • Posts: 1,105

Re: Late steering box in early car, bolt in ?

Thanks Guys. I also see that CIP1 has BFY's $49.00 pitman arm for $17.00. I'll report back & let you know how a '53 does with a '74 steering box and '63 pitman arm.

-Darby
  • From: Northern Illinois
  • Registered: 2004-03-27
  • Posts: 1,105

Re: Late steering box in early car, bolt in ?

Ok looks like what I need is a 1961 - 1966 pitman arm (the arm that bolts to the steering box & connects to the tie rods). Does any one have a spare ?  The CIP1 unit is chrome (yuck) and I just need a plain old used arm.

-Darby
  • From: Colorado Springs, CO
  • Registered: 2004-03-27
  • Posts: 3,622

Re: Late steering box in early car, bolt in ?

D: I might...let me look tonight.

C.

  • From: Portage, Indiana
  • Registered: 2004-03-27
  • Posts: 454

Re: Late steering box in early car, bolt in ?

I think I do too. Race ya, clancy smile

  • From: Colorado Springs, CO
  • Registered: 2004-03-27
  • Posts: 3,622

Re: Late steering box in early car, bolt in ?

Nope, I must have tossed it......or I'll find it right after Jordan finds his!

Clancy

  • From: Portage, Indiana
  • Registered: 2004-03-27
  • Posts: 454

Re: Late steering box in early car, bolt in ?

Darby, I have one that i have marked as being from a '63. No guarantees, because I dont' recognize the steering box or which car it came from, but  PM or email me and we can talk.

Jordan

  • From: Northern Illinois
  • Registered: 2004-03-27
  • Posts: 1,105

Re: Late steering box in early car, bolt in ?

Thanks, EM sent

-Darby