Update on my Heinz-57 PL620…new steering project

[Ozz]

I haven’t posted in a very long time but I still have my 1973 620 truck. It still runs well with it’s V-8 and all the other mods I’ve made over the past 30 years. I am now planning on doing a Prius power steering system to make life easier (I’m 74 years old, “Armstrong” steering is not fun).

 

I have the 2009 Prius steering setup and I will be building a modified steering column with the power assembly integrated into it. It seems like a very good solution without pumps, hoses and belts and all that junk. I will keep you posted on my (very slow) progress.

 

The photos are from my archives, the top one is from 1976 when I just finished a Ford 289 install, the second is from the 1980’s with a 406 Chevy engine. The black and white photo my wife was pregnant with my son…years later my daughter-in-law pregnant with my grandson. I have had the truck for decades and it has had 11 engine changes.

[Skib]

V8 swaps aren't that common in 620s even now, how did people react to the truck having a 289 in 76'?

[Ozz]

People reacted as if I kicked their puppy. Not many modified mini-trucks existed and certainly very few had V-8s. There is history involved in the swap decision, originally I got the truck from my father in law who destroyed the engine (the 1600). He just gave it to me. I couldn’t afford a new engine, couldn’t find a junkyard engine so since I had a Ford 289 and C4 trans…I decided I could make it work. I put over 100,000 miles on that truck with the 289.

[]2eDeYe]

Badass, more pics please. 

I am also about to get into electric ps steering, 

[RyanC]

Love this!! it had a bent 8 swap in the 70's 🙂

 

More pics def please.

[Stoffregen Motorsports]

On 9/5/2022 at 10:05 AM, Ozz said:

People reacted as if I kicked their puppy. Not many modified mini-trucks existed and certainly very few had V-8s. There is history involved in the swap decision, originally I got the truck from my father in law who destroyed the engine (the 1600). He just gave it to me. I couldn’t afford a new engine, couldn’t find a junkyard engine so since I had a Ford 289 and C4 trans…I decided I could make it work. I put over 100,000 miles on that truck with the 289.

Awesome. I love the truck, and the pics.

 

When I was young, I had a friend who built a '75 Toyota Celica with a 289, then another one with a 302. Both were so much fun and total sleepers. He used to drive me to work (I was 13-14 at the time) and I remember pestering him to floor it.

 

Screw the guys who don't get it.

[Stoffregen Motorsports]

On 9/5/2022 at 8:28 PM, ]2eDeYe said:

Badass, more pics please. 

I am also about to get into electric ps steering, 

I've been considering electric A/C for a couple projects. Prius based, of course.

[frankendat]

4 hours ago, Stoffregen Motorsports said:

Awesome. I love the truck, and the pics.

 

When I was young, I had a friend who built a '75 Toyota Celica with a 289, then another one with a 302. Both were so much fun and total sleepers. He used to drive me to work (I was 13-14 at the time) and I remember pestering him to floor it.

 

Screw the guys who don't get it.

There is the first good thing to come out of the "fluid" gender bullshit. Now there is half assed scientific almost evidence, which will "confirm", guys who don't get it, aren't guys.

[datzenmike]

Forewarned that Achilles would be killed in war, his mother Thetis dressed him as a girl and hid him among the daughters of the court of Lycomedes. Odysseus, learning that Troy could not be captured without Achilles and knowing that he is disguised as a woman but not knowing which one, he went to the court of Lycomedes disguised as a peddler of woman's clothing. Hidden amongst the clothing was a sword and shield that the young Achilles picked up giving himself away as a man. Odysseus convinced him to go to war against Troy, and the rest is history.

[Ozz]

I still have parts coming from EBay so I’ll get some pictures as I get the column out of the truck and start to get it all configured.

[frankendat]

13 hours ago, datzenmike said:

Forewarned that Achilles would be killed in war, his mother Thetis dressed him as a girl and hid him among the daughters of the court of Lycomedes. Odysseus, learning that Troy could not be captured without Achilles and knowing that he is disguised as a woman but not knowing which one, he went to the court of Lycomedes disguised as a peddler of woman's clothing. Hidden amongst the clothing was a sword and shield that the young Achilles picked up giving himself away as a man. Odysseus convinced him to go to war against Troy, and the rest is history.

Wouldn't he have been better off if they just would have take the time to rinse his entire foot?

[iceman510]

On 9/8/2022 at 12:46 PM, Ozz said:

I still have parts coming from EBay so I’ll get some pictures as I get the column out of the truck and start to get it all configured.

 

Definitely interested in seeing this process.