Swap manual steering and brakes?

[Kevin Bisgrove]

69 GTX originally has manual steering and drum brakes.

I am planning to restore the car mostly to factory with fit and finishes but not looking to sell at any point. Other things will be changed (original white vinyl top with white seats but changing to black vinyl with either blue or black seats - I don't like the white!)

Fairly set that I'll go to disc fronts.
Should I go power brakes with disc fronts and drum back? Would anyone leave the manual brakes but still go to disc fronts? Not sure I'm comfortable staying with drums in the front.

Likewise with the steering, should I upgrade to power steering? Definitely on the fence on this one so thoughts are appreciated. I like the look of the manual steering box.

K

 

[blue69runner]

Seems like a lot of people are going disc. on the front now day's. I decided to stay with manual steering on my runner. Got a new steering box and put it in. I can turn it with one hand with the original steering wheel. Figured that would be a job to add the power steering pump. Might need a third pully for it.

 

[Kevin Bisgrove]

Seems like a lot of people are going disc. on the front now day's. I decided to stay with manual steering on my runner. Got a new steering box and put it in. I can turn it with one hand with the original steering wheel. Figured that would be a job to add the power steering pump. Might need a third pully for it.

Love the color. Mines B5 too!
What color is your interior? Mine is B5 with white vinyl originally.

 

[hunt2elk]

I for one prefer manual steering over power in these old cars. Front disc brakes are a easy and worthwhile upgrade imo. I like manual myself, but power is popular also. Just personal preference....

 

[origcharger]

I have manual disc brake conversions on both my 1st gen Chargers, no desire to add booster, works fine if you get the right size master cylinder.

Power steering conversion is a bit more involved, you would also need to modify or swap steering columns. That conversion is one of those things where you can get a lot of opinions both ways and no ones really wrong. Considering its a GTX without PS (rare?) I think I would wait on that one.

 

[Don Frelier]

I have manual discs on my Charger (SSBC conversion) with a regular 70 mopar style master cylinder. Changed all the fluid to synthetic and replaced the rear hose.
It does take some pedal pressure but it will stop quite well.
The car is likely a few hundred pounds heavier than your GTX.

 

[HEMI-ITIS]

I have manual steering and SSBC disc brakes,no problem stopping from 145 MPH+ at the track.

 

[Kevin Bisgrove]

Thanks for the feedback!
For the build at this point, I'll stay manual but with disc brakes.
I've heard the debate on power vs manual steering and I see the case for both. Manual may feel better in motion but power for parking. Don't think I'll be trying to squeeze into anywhere so power probably won't be needed.

 

[Commando66]

I did manual disc brakes from Dr Diff on my Belvedere. The kit was 100% complete and works great. I prefer manual steering so the factory power steering is coming out and a Firm Feel 20:1 manual box is going in.

 

[Kevin Bisgrove]

I did manual disc brakes from Dr Diff on my Belvedere. The kit was 100% complete and works great. I prefer manual steering so the factory power steering is coming out and a Firm Feel 20:1 manual box is going in.

I'll follow suit except I'm already manual on both

 

[Commando66]

The 20:1 box is a nice improvement over the stock 24:1 steering.

 

[Kevin Bisgrove]

The 20:1 box is a nice improvement over the stock 24:1 steering.

Oh yeah! I assumed keep and rebuild but thoughts think swap for the better ratio?