Power Steering vs Manual Steering


jfl1960

jfl1960

15+ Year Member

Joined
Mar 21, 2010
Messages
79
Points
3,101
City
Canada
Vehicle Year
1988
Transmission
Automatic
Is it worth the horsepower gain to go to manual steering, the manual box is half the weight of the power steering box and really clears up some room in a very cramped area, but how much HP would I free up and how much of a bear would this be to drive in town?

Power Steering vs Manual Steering


Power Steering vs Manual Steering


Power Steering vs Manual Steering
 
Can't even begin to guess about the HP gain but people have gotten so use to having power steering. It's not that hard without PS really. Lots of the older "F" seroes trucks came with out it but had the steering wheel the size of a bus.
Dave
 
When I was driving my little Sidekick with manual steering it was fine once you got rolling. At slow speeds it took a little effort but anything above parking lot speeds was a breeze. The removal of weight and drag on your engine makes manual swaps make a lot of sense.
 
My first ranger was a 1987 with a 2.0 L and manual steering, it wasn't bad at all, then I swapped in a 2.8 out of a 1984 ranger, I kept the manual steering. Sometime during the swap I installed a Grant steering wheel which was smaller than the original ford steering wheel, I still didn't have any real problems even in town, but my girlfriend refused to drive the truck if she had to go to town, kinda like that bonus, saved me quite a few dents and clutches I am sure, hehehe. Think I will go manual, can always add the power steering later if I feel the need.
 
HmmmmmmmI installed a Grant s/wheel too......I replaced all the seals in the p/s box......./shimmed all the slack out of the output shaft.....but the adjusting screw is down to its last turn....I could use the extra room in the little '36 engine bay since everythings v-e-r-y close...maybe i better check into a manual box....
 
I am also debating this swap for my V-8 swapped 98.... I replaced EVERYTHING suspension wise EXCEPT the inner and outer tie-rod ends, but I already have had the truck aligned after replacing the upper control arms and all ball joints/endlinks :( (hate paying for things twice)

The manual racks from AZ are only like $130 and come with inner tie rods already and all new bushings etc........... Do you need to change any linkage for the steering for the swap, anyone know?
 
dasfinc said:
I am also debating this swap for my V-8 swapped 98.... I replaced EVERYTHING suspension wise EXCEPT the inner and outer tie-rod ends, but I already have had the truck aligned after replacing the upper control arms and all ball joints/endlinks :( (hate paying for things twice)

The manual racks from AZ are only like $130 and come with inner tie rods already and all new bushings etc........... Do you need to change any linkage for the steering for the swap, anyone know?
Click to expand...

I wish I could use rack and pinion, mine is a 1988 and has the twin I beam suspension, without changing to control arms the rack and pinion wouldn't work for me. For me with a steering box no linkage changes were necessary so far, but cannot comment on a rack and pinion setup.

Does anyone know of an available rebuild kit for a standard steering box, mine has like 250K on it, still not too bad but I would like to rebuild it if possible.
 
Last edited:
If I were using the truck for off roading, I would not use manual steering..

It's tough enough in parking lot. I can't imagine trying to turn the wheel with rocks in the way...
 
maybe you should just rip off the belt for the power steering for less drag on your motor lol, my 79 has power steering and apparently it was a pretty rare option back then
 
BlackBII said:
If I were using the truck for off roading, I would not use manual steering..

It's tough enough in parking lot. I can't imagine trying to turn the wheel with rocks in the way...
Click to expand...

Yeah I agree, mine is straight line accelerator only, lowered 3/4 and narrowed ford 9", nothing to steer around except the slow Chevy and Dodges at the track. Weight reduction and horsepower are main considerations.
 
Last edited:
look into the electric assist steering motors for 05+ gm cars, it has spline input and a u-joint output, and literally 2 wires in. to simplify: it has a control module on it so it works just like a p/s pump and goes in line with your steering column, for another project i got one from a j/y for a 2005 saturn ion for $90. and you can wire it so that you have power steering even when the engine is off.....we used it in a buggy but i bet with a little imagination you could make it work on a ranger
 
Manual steering is not that bad with a v8. My father-in-laws 88 ranger with 306 is fairly easy at the local track have'nt had it in a parking lot yet sence it is a truck that is mint for the track.
 
Thanks for the input guys, I have decided to go with the manual box and put the power steering gear on the shelf in case I decide I want to use it later, also I found a rebuild kit for the manual steering box at rockauto.com for under $60.00 before shipping, man they have everything there.
 
My truck was originally manual steering. I just finished the power steering swap. The power loss is not noticeable with the P/S. There is however, a nice ford power steering pump whine.

Now that I've driven both, I can offer a comparison:

Manual Steering:
Offers LOTS of feedback (meaning the steering wheel jerks with every imperfection in the road). Forget about talking on the phone and parking at the same time. Manuevering around a parking lot at low speed is a two-handed ordeal and is a workout for your arms.

Power Steering:
Much less feedback - the roads feel smoother now. One-handed parking is now a breeze.

Also, the P/S gear box didn't seem much heavier or larger than the manual box. Make sure you get the pitman with the gear box though because they are different between manual and P/S and not interchangeable (I learned this the hard way)
 
Thanks for the input Sevensceondsuv, I had both gearboxes on the bench at the same time, the PS gearbox, pump and pulley system was easily a good 15 to 20 LBS heavier than the manual box alone, wish I have weighed both, will do the PS unit next time I am in garage and post an accurate number, that is forward weight, meaning in front of the front axle line, rule of thumb is every 50 LBS reduction can result in 1/100th sec on the 1/4 mile (that's what I have been told and read in many posts, if I am wrong please let me know), so I think the weight reduction is a good trade off for some arm workout in the parking lot, and besides where I live driving and chatting on cell will get you a $350.00 donation to the local policeman's association the, lol.

Forgot to mention I do like the feel of a good manual steering setup, most PS units make me feel disconnected with the road and make driving boring, IMO. Wonder if a manual would be easier in a short bed or long bed, mine is a long bed truck, standard cab.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Sponsored Ad

TRS Events & Gatherings

Where We Were in 2025 – The Ranger Station

Latest posts

Featured Rangers

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

TRS Latest Video

Official TRS Merchandise

Follow TRS On Instagram

Latest Album Photos

IMG_4690.JPEG
IMG_4689.JPEG
IMG_4688.JPEG
IMG_4679.JPEG
IMG_4656.JPEG
IMG_4625.JPEG
IMG_4562.JPEG
IMG_4561.JPEG
IMG_4560.JPEG
IMG_4559.JPEG
IMG_4558.JPEG
IMG_4445.JPEG

Product Suggestions

Back
Top