Steering box frame reinforcement weld in plates

[dragstews]

My frame was in good shape, went ahead and bought the plates just to keep it that way ..

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Guess it's overkill, but is a good place to add some beef ...
73-91 Chevy/GMC trucks was bad about cracking in this area ..
(Most likely from rough usage)

 

[nvrenuf]

Cracks at the steering box were just about standard equipment, I'd put the bolt on brace on the truck as well.

 

[Bennyt]

Besides the plate, and bolt-on brace...you might find some rivets have loosened up in the crossmemeber. If you drill them out and replace with 7/16(?) G8 hardware it will help control the movement as well.

 

[Bextreme04]

My frame was in good shape, went ahead and bought the plates just to keep it that way ..

You must be registered for see images attach

Guess it's overkill, but is a good place to add some beef ...
73-91 Chevy/GMC trucks was bad about cracking in this area ..
(Most likely from rough usage)

If you do any wheeling, this is a great kit as well. Allows you to mount a winch hidden up in the frame and strengthens up the entire front frame structure. Also includes an interior brace to the back side of the steering gear. The shackle brackets are really nice and heavy duty as well. I've had them on my truck for a few years now and they are still like new.
https://engineeredvintage.com/produ...ring-box-reinforce-kit?variant=41201426956474

 

[CalSgt]

Cracks at the steering box were just about standard equipment, I'd put the bolt on brace on the truck as well.

This ^^^

The brace is more valuable than the patch kit on an unbroken frame.

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[dragstews]

I'd put the bolt on brace on the truck as well.

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Did give this some thought ...
Very well made and easy to install but ...
On the 75 K15 the brake-proportion valve is mounted right in the way of where the brace bolts on ..

Pretty much decided not to use it due to the need to relocate the valve ..

(Guess I'm going to limit the truck to jumping only three Greyhound Buses instead of five)

 

[Bennyt]

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Did give this some thought ...
Very well made and easy to install but ...
On the 75 K15 the brake-proportion valve is mounted right in the way of the where the brace bolts on ..

Pretty much decided not to use it due to the need to relocate the valve ..

(Guess I'm going to limit the truck to jumping only three Greyhound Buses instead of five)

I've installed 3-5 of these on both K's and C's(off the top of my head 2 77's and an '89) over the years and never had to relocate anything that I recall. Maybe bend a line. I think the little bracket/ brace is already on the 89-91 trucks from the factory.

SBGK Steering Box Gusset Kit Instructions - Autofab

Those of you that have '73 to '87 Chevy or GMC full-size pickups or up to 1992 Blazers and Suburban, are probably fully aware of the steering box problems these rigs typically have. It's not the box itself but the way it is mounted to the frame lend

autofab.com

 

[dragstews]

I've installed 3-5 of these on both K's and C's(off the top of my head 2 77's and an '89) over the years and never had to relocate anything that I recall. Maybe bend a line. I think the little bracket/ brace is already on the 89-91 trucks from the factory.

SBGK Steering Box Gusset Kit Instructions - Autofab

Those of you that have '73 to '87 Chevy or GMC full-size pickups or up to 1992 Blazers and Suburban, are probably fully aware of the steering box problems these rigs typically have. It's not the box itself but the way it is mounted to the frame lend

autofab.com

Cool Beans ..

Will be doing some more research on this brace for sure ..
Like to be able to put it to use, if it will install without doing major work it'll find a home on the truck ..

Much thanks for the info, Guys .. You Boys rock !!
_________________________________

Ok, alright you'll talked me into it ..
Just placed a order for the brace ..

I'm not afraid of a little work for what the brace does ..
Be well worth the trouble to install ..

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[JBswth]

Cracks at the steering box were just about standard equipment, I'd put the bolt on brace on the truck as well.

Mine, a 73, has never cracked, and neither did my 81.

 

[nvrenuf]

Mine, a 73, has never cracked, and neither did my 81.

Then you should buy lottery tickets because there are thousands upon thousands of trucks (I’d bet literally hundreds of thousands) that cracked (stock and modified).

 

[brooksman9]

While working on the C10 yesterday I noticed not only is it cracked its got a chunk missing out of it. PO scabbed a piece to the other side. Not even welded, just bolted. Guess I'll have to fix that too.

 

[SquareRoot]

I got the brace on mine. There's plenty of real estate around that prop valve for add ons!

 

[Bennyt]

Mine, a 73, has never cracked, and neither did my 81.

That is pretty rare. I will say that every time someone tells me that they don't have a crack, after stripping the paint and removing the box, I have always found a crack. On my '77 C10, I inspected it very thoroughly and even had a frame shop take a second look before sending to powdercoat and didn't see anything. After blasting, I found a very tiny hairline crack that I had to weld up.

On that truck I have the autofab brace to the rear of the box and the Ridetech triangulation braces up front. C30's have a triangulation brace and I've always wanted to see if I could adapt it to the C10 frame.

 

[dragstews]

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Soon to have the box back on the frame rail ..
Since the frame didn't have any cracks to start off with and the install of the weld-in plates, plus the bolt-in brace should be ready for some 44's ...
(Think I'll keep the 33's on the truck) ..

 

[Old Guy Bill]

There were no cracks in my ‘78, I inspected it thoroughly.
Added the plates after the frame sand blast.