What size belt to just power the alternator (no AC or power steering)?

[misterW]

Anyone know what size belt I can get to just power the alternator? My power steering is messed up and before I buy the parts to mess around with that, I figured I would just go manual steering for a while. Pretty stiff when the truck is sitting, but not bad at all when moving. But, I would obviously need a different belt. What size?

 

[ltbenji]

I have the same question. My truck came with AC but I took the compressor off....any ideas?

 

[Hagan]

You can't just go to manual steering with a power steering pump. It just doesn't work like that.

ltbenji - If your truck is the same as mine (2.3l) there are 2 different pulleys for the AC and for the power steering/alternator. Mine has the AC belt removed but all the other accessories still work. So, just remove the belt.

 

[ltbenji]

Thanks Hagan....I found a belt that fit last night. And the AC belt was already gone, I was looking for the serpentine belt

My truck has an 89 2.3 with AC. A 48" belt fit around the crank, waterpump, alternator and the idler

 

[EMB1230]

My power steering is messed up and before I buy the parts to mess around with that, I figured I would just go manual steering for a while. Pretty stiff when the truck is sitting, but not bad at all when moving.

My 96 is so base, that it does not have A/C or P/S! You're right, manual steering in these is NBD. there are 3 differnt belts on the 97 and older 2.3: one if you have A/C and P/S, one if you just have P/S, and one for if you have neither.

You can't just go to manual steering with a power steering pump. It just doesn't work like that.

What would happen if you did?

 

[--weezl--]

you guys have those wicked awesome air cooled trucks? no need for a waterpump i guess...

take a piece of string, and run it around all of the pulleys you need the belt to go around, cut it at the length you need your belt, then take it to the parts store... serpentine belts are numbered something like 5060960, which, if i recall correct, the 60 means 6 ribs, and the 960 is the length, i BELIEVE, in mm, but don't quote me... i forget what the 50 means, it may mean nothing

 

[Mark_88]

My 96 is so base, that it does not have A/C or P/S! You're right, manual steering in these is NBD. there are 3 differnt belts on the 97 and older 2.3: one if you have A/C and P/S, one if you just have P/S, and one for if you have neither.

What would happen if you did?

It's a pig to steer...

But if you can find a manual steering box it should swap right in...who needs to loose 10 HP for power steering...I swapped mine from my original Ranger and a few other front end parts and it's a bit of a go to turn sometimes but otherwise handles perfectly...

I've never liked power steering...especially when the motor conks out and you have to fight the pump to maneuver it...

 

[--weezl--]

oh, i should also mention, that a power steering box being used without a pump is extremely dangerous... there is virtually nothing actually turning the wheels, the linkage between the input and outputs is a tiny pin... there is little to no pressure put on that pin, when you are using the hydraulic system, but when it's not on, it's ALL on that little pin...