maybe368

Hi guys, it's been a while since I have needed your collective experience for a rare problem on my rig. I have been having some funky steering problems and I just found that my steering box adapter is cracked. I remember a thread where there is a billet adapter available as a replacement, but I cannot find it. Does anyone have that info? Meanwhile, I am going to keep looking, Thanks Mark

thrashingcows

I recall a member building one, or having one built....but can not recall there being an "in production" billet one.

gyman98

There was a member who had one built, I sent him a used one to use as a pattern. He said he wasn't going to sell them and neither was the shop that built it for liability reasons

maybe368

Thanks guys, anyone had any luck welding them?...Mark

NJTman

I've read on here where guys welded them, and they ultimately re cracked.
Boneyard or have Oliver send you a new used one.

Or upgrade to the RR steering, and fuggetaboutit

Jim5870

Is this it?

Power Steering Brace

maybe368

Yeah, I am just going to buy 1 from Oliver. I would do the upgrade, but I need to do the plumbing on my house. Lousy pipes only lasted 60 years, I want my money back...Mark

maybe368

I found that too. I think that it is used in conjunction with the stock adapter plate. I was a bit confused when I clicked on a link and it said that it was for 94 and later...Mark

j.fonder

that brace was designed to be used behind the 2x4 steering gears which were bolted straight to the frame.

it can be made to work behind your 4x4 setup, especially since you'll already have everything off.

my steering brace broke about 3 years ago. found some cracking in the frame around the holes. drilled and welded the cracked, replaced with used steering brace, and made a plate for the back side of the frame out of 3/8" plate. frame flexes much less now and no problems after 3 years.

Hillbilly66

This brace is NOT the adapter plate to go between gearbox and frame. It will bolt to the inside of frame with gearbox in 4x4 position then it will bolt to the frame cross section under the core support.

It is designed to keep the frame from flexing as much and potentially eliminating cracking of the frame or adapter plate.

They are not hard to install especially if you have gearbox off already. I installed one a year ago when I replaced my gearbox.

thrashingcows

I installed one on Patches as well when I did the 4wd conversion....been over 2 years now....no issues. I have another one I scored at the JY for $15! it's for Sno-ball when I do the cummins conversion.

peckens

My plate cracked by the bottom hole. I had it professionally tig welded and added the DC steering brace. 4 years later still holding.

j.fonder

There are more than a few members running around here with those braces that I found in junkyards. They're usually under late 80s d150s and 2x4 ram chargers in the yards here. Been about 6 months since I've gone pickin. Might have to make a day of it soon.

1972RedNeck

I was going to say that a TIG weld would have the best chance holding.

1STGENFARMBOY

I welded my plate and then bought the brace, then beefed it up as it looks kinda whimpy, needed a box also, so a redhead box went on, built my own steering shaft with some u-joints, no problems after that...
how could there be....eh.