[hardknocks]

Hey ,
Need a little feed back on doing vit power steering conversion
I've just chipped a tooth my steering and have been thinking
about doing the conversion but ?
is it a tougher steering box ?
Is it worth the trouble ?
How's the drive ?
Anyway any input would be helpful
thanks

[tanshi]

i have vit power steer and would never drive a sierra with big rubber again with out doing it.

[BlueSuzy]

My vit ps makes everything slow..

The ratio is much different to sierra's.

Sierra's you turn, you go around the corner.

Sierra with vit box, you turn, you have to turn more because of the box ratio..

I can turn with one hand everywhere on x12.5 wide tyres.

But if i was to do it again, id look into toyota boxes.

[BenT]

BlueSuzy wrote:

My vit ps makes everything slow..

The ratio is much different to sierra's.

Interesting... How many turns lock to lock do you get. Mine has about 3.6 with a Vit box and steering arm.

Looking on the net for specs the early stock Sierra is 3.4 turns lock to lock, and later models are 4.2.

BlueSuzy wrote:

But if i was to do it again, id look into toyota boxes.

I also have a Toyota Celica ps setup, but can't remember the turns lock to lock. Was around 3.5 - 4 from memory.

I also make adaptor plates to fit these boxes if anyone wants one.

[BlueSuzy]

I wil test abit later when i go to the shop.
With the stock steering wheel it feels like im steering a ship! Also stock box and straight vit arm.

Lock to lock tyres rub on springs..as well..

[ajsr]

the only down side to vit power steer is perhaps your arm muscles may end up slightly smaller.
drive a front locked sierra with and without ps and debate over .

[appsie]

there are no cons mate,all pros

i done my conversion like most these blokes just before BenT made his kits available haha but for the little rooting around making new mounts etc it was worth it.wheras if you buy the adaptor kit it will be a walk in the park

Bluesuzy i also think it has made mine as you are describing??

[Gwagensteve]

I think any weird feel with the vitara box is due to the flatter/shorter pitman arm. try a vitara dropped pitman arm from Lowrange - it's 17mm longer than a sierra pitman so it should more than makeup any ratio difference.

I've put vit boxes in a number of sierras and slow steering isn't something I've experienced. You didn't do any other mods at the same time that rolled some caster out of the front end did you?

Steve.

[Fatzook]

hardknocks wrote:

Hey ,
Need a little feed back on doing vit power steering conversion
I've just chipped a tooth my steering and have been thinking
about doing the conversion but ?
is it a tougher steering box ? YES
Is it worth the trouble ? YES. Not much trouble if you use BenT kit
How's the drive ? Great onroad, great offroad
Anyway any input would be helpful
thanks

Go with the BenT kit. It is VERY well engineered.

[BlueSuzy]

The slow steering onroad also goes with my long shackles.
My camber/caster looks to be about same as any other stock sierra. I've had it much worse.

lock to lock is about 3.5 turns. Prob tyres rubbing springs also.

All i remember is before the vit steering, with exact same mods, she steered alot quicker. like half a turn for 90' intersection turns.

[v.w.dave]

I have driven BlueSuzy on the road for a short distance and it is kinda scary at first. It just kinda wonders.
I have driven one other with the Vit P/S set up and it was nothing like yours but he was SPOA with a drop pit arm and a smaller steering wheel. It felt good and normal.

[BlueSuzy]

v.w.dave wrote:

I have driven BlueSuzy on the road for a short distance and it is kinda scary at first. It just kinda wonders.
I have driven one other with the Vit P/S set up and it was nothing like yours but he was SPOA with a drop pit arm and a smaller steering wheel. It felt good and normal.

I realise i turn Suzy before the corner..

I think its the shackles wandering mainly..and the locker pushing her forward..

[hardknocks]

Thanks guys
I did a ring around today can pick up
s/box , so better be back on the road .
But I'll be looking for a conversion kit in a few months
when I start my Lwb
and a half cut vit
and a
and a
and a
I'm sure the list will be long .

[Rockhopper]

Gwagensteve wrote:

I think any weird feel with the vitara box is due to the flatter/shorter pitman arm. try a vitara dropped pitman arm from Lowrange - it's 17mm longer than a sierra pitman so it should more than makeup any ratio difference.

I've put vit boxes in a number of sierras and slow steering isn't something I've experienced. You didn't do any other mods at the same time that rolled some caster out of the front end did you?

Steve.

Am interested in knowing if these pitman arms will present a binding problem for guys that have already moved their diffs forward??

[BlueSuzy]

Yes the arms probably will. My box is maximum forwards. If i had the box on a wedge that BenT makes with my diff 25mm forward, my steering arms would bind!

My stock arms were close with the diff 25mm forward with the stock box..

My vit box hugs the front cross member.

[Fatzook]

Rockhopper wrote:

Gwagensteve wrote:

I think any weird feel with the vitara box is due to the flatter/shorter pitman arm. try a vitara dropped pitman arm from Lowrange - it's 17mm longer than a sierra pitman so it should more than makeup any ratio difference.

I've put vit boxes in a number of sierras and slow steering isn't something I've experienced. You didn't do any other mods at the same time that rolled some caster out of the front end did you?

Steve.

Am interested in knowing if these pitman arms will present a binding problem for guys that have already moved their diffs forward??

I have one here ( thanks ajsr ) so I will try on the weekend.

[Gwagensteve]

You'll DEFINITELY have binding if the diff is forward. I've fitted one of these to a car with full RUF and the vitara box 35mm further forward than stock and there was heavy contact between the drag link and tie rod, and that was with 2" bumpstop spacing. We clocked the steering box more vertical and we were just able to get it to clear, and we have excellent steering angles, but really, you need to build the steering box position around the drop pitman arm.

Also, these arms really need significant spring lift to achieve good draglink angle. I'm setting up another car at the moment, and it's running a low RUF. with the vit drop arm, the draglink climbs to the tie rod. I'd reckon you'd need a good 2-3" of spring lift to achieve a flat draglink angle with the drop arm.

They are cool, but I can't help but think they aren't a "vitara drop pitman arm" at all, and they are actually an arm from something else with the right taper/spline cut in it. I can't imagine why you'd make a drop arm longer than the stock arm considering the clearance problems involved.

Steve.

[BlueSuzy]

Just tested my wt lwb. Stock sierra box. Stock steer wheel. Lock to lock is about 2.5 turns! A whole turn less then the vit box!

[zookprojectfnq]

I recently fitted a 82 model MK62 Toyota cressida box and pump to my 92 swb sierra. I have Ruff and 50mm longer shakels. Toyota cressida and vitara have the same spline so i used a 3" dropped pitman arm from locktup. It drives and steers beautifly. I looked at the Vitara box but the cressida is much easier.. No moding radiator mounts or any thing. you need to make an adapter plate still that picks up the original holes with counter sunk bolts. the steering shaft lines up with the cressida one spot on and the bolt pattern for the rag joint is the same. Its another option anyway.
Joe Blow did a solid works diagram and instructions on outers and I just followed them and it turned out sweet.

[BlueSuzy]

How much lock to lock steering wheel turns?

[zookprojectfnq]

not sure off the top of my head but I will check tommorow

[zookprojectfnq]

nearly 3 turns

[BlueSuzy]

Wow! Thats quite quick!

Well quicker then vit..

[zookprojectfnq]

Its quick but not to quick. it steers like my missuses new prado. If it steers to quick it would be go kart like and dangerous