power steering

[phunckie]

Hey everyone....   This may have been discussed here before, and if so, please feel free to point me in the right direction.... I just bought my second bus.  It is a 1969 Eagle 05, 8v71, 4spd, 6 bunk entertainer.  We are very interested in a power steering retrofit for this bus.... can someone point me in the right direction???

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

Eric

[TomC]

Many times you can replace the manual box with a power steering box from a big rig truck.  Might have to make a mounting adapter plate, or drill new holes.  Then run the hydraulic lines to the back with the pump and reservoir at the engine.  I had it done on mine, but I have a straight axle with the steering box mounted on the axle, rather than on the frame.  Good Luck, TomC

[phunckie]

Tom,

Thanks for the info.... I'm not sure that I'm ready to take on a project like altering and installing a truck box just yet, but I was pretty sure that I had read that there are retrofit kits available, and was wondering how difficult that is to do on this bus, as well as the best place(s) to go to get them.

Eric

[jjrbus]

 Not sure of a retrofit, but there is a man in N Florida that will do this.

[phunckie]

excellent... do you have any contact information for him?

[TomC]

If you have manual steering, only go to integral power steering.  I had manual steering with air assist and can tell you that while it works well at low speed, at freeway speeds it wonders where you have to do alot of steering all the time-very tiring.  Good Luck, TomC

[jjrbus]

 Give Fred Hobe in N Florida a call. 850 929 4021. He is a well known and respected member of the bus community. He is about 80 now and thinking of retireing in the next 10 to 20 years.