I have a 68 F250 AT/manual steering. I need a new steering column (the neutral disabler arm is broken off inside the column) and have been told conflicting info regarding compatibility of steering column years. Some say 67-69 match, some say 67 thru 72 are the same. I looked at a 72 today and it looked suspiciously similar..... Any suggestions to where to find the right answer??

(or you could tell me an easy way to fix that little arm inside the column!)

 

All I know about them is the manuals are a couple inches longer than the power steering columns.

 

I believe they are compatible from 67-79, provided you get an AT or manual specific column.

When in doubt, grab as many of the donor parts as you can!

 

Robopig, welcome to FTE!

Check out this thread:

http://www.ford-truck.com/forums/sho...Bswitch+%2Barm

Barry

 

OK, new twist....Now I've found a 1972 F250 at the local wrecking yard with complete column/steering wheel, etc., only it's power steering which brings to mind a power steering conversion (all the PS stuff is still there, and NO I won't tell you where it is.)

#1 Are the parts easily compatible for a swap to my 68 F250?
#2 If not, what all needs to be changed?

I'm ready to run down to the wrecker and yard all that stuff out, but I'm not sure beyond the column and power steering box what I need.... Pully's I'm assuming......

thoughts? Answers???

Any help or hints are appreciated!!

 

Should be a straight swap, provided both trucks are 2wd or both are 4wd and both are automatic transmissions. Get as many associated parts as you can get away with.

 

I installed 1972 F250 power steering into my 1967 F100. You must use the power steering column due to the different length from a manual column. Everything bolted in. In my application I had to heat and slightly pound down the drivers side motor mount bracket at the frame to clear the steering box. This may not be necessary for you. I have also heard that on some applications you may have to grind a little off the frame. You can easily tell when you bolt the box to the frame if there is any interference.

One other modification I found necessary was to add a one inch tab to the shifter arm at the bottom of the column where it connects to the rod that goes to the trans. Adding the extension corrects the geometry so the shift selector pointer at the steering wheel aligns properly.

 

Thanks for all the good info. Now I have a financial decision to make, whether to go for the power steering swap or try to retrieve the little neutral safety switch arm from the yard column...hmmmm what's left on my visa?......

 

I have fixed these with a piece of plumbers tape. It is easiest if the column is out. Just wrap it around the shift tube and secure it with a small machine screw and nut. After you reinstall the column it can easily be bent to adjust. Be ready for an exasperating journey if you start mixing years of parts here since there a different lengths on the shafts from year to year. and different turn signal switch wiring patterns.