I'm contemplating going to manual steering on my pickup, but wanted to know a little bit more before I really make the plunge. First of all, I'm not sure what's available for an '82 D150. I'm sure there were some stock applications, but I'm not sure what ratios were available. I'm also not sure if there are any aftermarket options, such as the firmfeel 20:1 box (I noticed that all they had on their website was car related). Also, what's the interchange? Am I restricted to just pickups, or could I use a van box just as easily? Finally, what all will be involved in the swap? Will it just be a matter of removing the power setup and bolting in a manual box, or will I need a steering column adapter or thing of that nature?

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Used to own:
'82 Dodge D150
Erson 270 Cam, O/S valves, mild port work, ~9.5:1 compression

Currently fighting with an '85 VW Cabriolet

My other passion

Interchange is easy to determine; plug in your truck's year and model into www.car-part.com , search steering gear/box, w/o power, and the results will list all interchangeable years and models.

Don't think you've got but two options on that truck: Power or Manual.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

I tried car-part.com and noticed it only listed trucks; I didn't know if that meant vans wouldn't interchange or that the only parts currently available were for trucks. Turned around and searched for a van after reading your post and it didn't cross-list anything, so I guess it's pickup only.

I'm going to be doing a front end rebuild here w/in the next year, and it would be during this rebuild process that I did the swap. I'm honestly not sure if it's the route I want to go. I know the manual box is a bit lighter (which is a definite plus), and I've also heard that manual boxes generally offer better road feel and overall performance. Of course, that info is all coming from people who are used to working with much lighter vehicles; personally I have absolutely zero seat time with a manual box. If all I can get is an ungodly slow ratio box, I'm not sure I'd be gaining a whole lot.

Ultimately, I'd like to turn this thing into a corner-carver (or as much as it could be), with a performance oriented suspension drop and front and rear sway bars. Again though, looking at rear sway bars most are listed as "towing upgrades," and I'm not sure if they would be overkill for increased handling with no load. It's only used as a truck about twice a year when I pack all my stuff into it to move to/away from college because of summer break. The rest of the time it's usually just used for commuting. It does occaisonally see an engine block or transmission thrown in the back of it, but realistically that's not a whole lot of weight.

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Used to own:
'82 Dodge D150
Erson 270 Cam, O/S valves, mild port work, ~9.5:1 compression

Currently fighting with an '85 VW Cabriolet

My other passion

Hollander's cross reference lists your manual steering interchange as any Dodge/Plymouth truck/Trail Duster/Ramcharger with manual steering after 6-12-1979 (for some odd reason) through 1987....


-D.Idiot

I had a '74 D100 with manual steering. Never again. That thing was miserable to park and not much fun the rest of the time. I converted that truck to power steering with a pump and brackets off a /6 F-body and column and steering box out of a V8 pickup. I also converted my '72 B300 from manual to power steering using parts from a '78 Magnum I parted. An A body with manual steering is one thing. A pickup or van is something else entirely.

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Joshua

I got a 82 S10 with a 400 in it (well, not in it currently, more interested in my dart) with manual steering. That thing is a royal pain around street corners and to park. The one good thing about it though it that you build up some forearm strength driving it everyday.

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1974 Dodge Dart Custom, 225, 904, now with a Holley 2300...

I agree with the last 2 posts... you need to consider where you are going to drive the vehicle before going to manual steering. City parking, etc, is NO fun with manual steering.

-Mac

My 79 D 100 had man steering and brakes... boy I miss that one! and a 3 on the tree as well. I loved the way that truck drove especially in the winter! I towed a bunch when I had that one, no prob there either.