Power steering

[LilDemon]

I don’t know if my 1980 Datsun 720 has power steering or not I see the Nissan models does but I don’t know where it is

[Rat-a-tat-Dat]

Usually p/s pump pulley is found on the passenger side of engine. Same as the reservoir, attached to the right inner fender.

Is your vehicle a 2wd or 4wd?

[datzenmike]

It was only available as an option on the '81 and up trucks.

[LilDemon]

31 minutes ago, Rat-a-tat-Dat said:

Usually p/s pump pulley is found on the passenger side of engine. Same as the reservoir, attached to the right inner fender.

Is your vehicle a 2wd or 4wd?

It’s 2wd do u know what it looks like cause I don’t 

[LilDemon]

Just now, datzenmike said:

It was only available as an option on the '81 and up rucks.

Damn thanks 

[Rat-a-tat-Dat]

I'm currently looking to install a p/s system on my '80 720.

Following some leads as to what might work. Plenty of options in todays market, with old and new selections. It also depends on your budget.

The right donor still needs to surface for me.

 

[datzenmike]

Get a 720 power steering box to start. I made a bracket for a Nissan PS pump on my 620 and mounted it under the L20B distributor using the threaded holes in the block for emissions air pumps and air con pumps. I used the fender mounted reservoir because there wasn't much room. I don't know if the 720's pump and internal reservoir would fit. I had to have it solidly mounted and used a tensioner pulley.

 

[Rat-a-tat-Dat]

What year is that pump off of?

I'd have a problem mounting it there because of the a/c pump being in the way. More room on the passenger side, juggling it between the alternator and fuel pump.

( can eliminate the fuel pump and replace with an electric version)

 

[datzenmike]

The '79 620 uses the mechanical pump studs and more to mount a York compressor. There is also a bolt that the battery ground goes to that could be used for a bracket, but you need to tension the belt also.

[Rat-a-tat-Dat]

So... swap an a/c unit over to the other side and then install a p/s pump in its place?

[datzenmike]

No too much work. Have you looked at electric power steering. Most new cars have it. You'd have to splice it into the steering column but ....

[wayno]

I did what Mike did, but I used a self contained Nissan Sentra I believe power steering assembly, I made a bracket like Mike that bolted to the block holes for an air conditioning pump, my bracket was kinda complicated but it also used the tensioner pulley that was part of the self contained unit but I had to modify it, you can see the top of it in the photo below.

 

Here is the bracket from the back.

 

Here you can see the front and how I welded the adjuster to my bracket I made, it is really a complicated bracket and I made it before I put it in the truck.

 

You have to have all the right type of parts to start with, or like me you get together what you have available and make the bracket you need for what you have.

 

Edited May 3, 2020 by wayno

[Stinky]

RAT-a-Tat is correct on the location of the pump, but not the reservoir.  It has a built in one, just like old GMs.

 

You might be able to use a D21 set-up...maybe, it has the tank on the fender.

 

I just looked at rockauto (they have a cross-over built in)...a a D21 has a different steering box.

 

You need a column also.

[datzenmike]

I used a D21 pump and reservoir I think, and while it worked perfectly it doesn't look as good as yours wayno. I also did not have a welder.

[wayno]

I used a D21 pump/reservoir on my work truck.

[Rat-a-tat-Dat]

All these ideas are great but I still have to deal with the A/C unit that already exists there. I like my A/C on hot days.