Hello,

Just picked up a "New" 1974 Crew Cab. Supposedly came out of WA and was used here in WI for running trails.

Pictures below





Drove it the two hours home with no major issues.

However the steering was extremely loose. Power Steering worked ok, but its leaking fluid and I had a large turn radius on the steering wheel before the truck would respond. Looking underneath it today. I'm trying to figure out what home job was done on it? Any insight? the gear box will have to be swapped and I'm wondering on my options.









Thanks for any insight you can provide.

Tim

 

Welcome to FTE

I cannot tell from the pics (they are too small for my 67 year old eyes to make out).

Does this F250 have 4WD? If so, it has Power Assist P/S. Two different types were used in 1974, Garrison (before serial number T80,001) or Bendix (from serial number T80,001).

Parts for Power Assist P/S are obsolete, difficult to find and expensive when found, especially if it has Bendix Power Assist P/S.

The serial number is the last 6 digits of the VIN.

If it's 2WD, it has Ford/Saginaw integral P/S, parts are EZ to find.

If the truck was sold new in WA (or OR), the DSO code stamped on the Warranty Plate will be 74. The Warranty Plate is located on the left door face below the latch.

All 1973/79 Crew Cabs, regardless of where they were sold new, were assembled at the Oakville, Ontario Canada Truck Assembly Plant.

 

Try clicking on the pics

i just about gave up, then i noticed that they are thumbnails.

other than that .... i'm no help, but what's new.

 

Looks like a 2wd power steering unit was adapted to the truck. Most folks swap to the 78-79 units. Redhead does a nice job rebuiding these and then you will need to rework the frame and CM a bit but pretty easy if you can weld.

Do a search...lots of pics floating around here.

You could also try adjusting the steering box first.

 

I did, still too small. The pics being somewhat dark was another factor.

One a these days, your eyes will be 67 years old. then see if you can make what these pics represent.

 

I feel your pain, Bill.

When they ask me to read the eye chart without my glasses, i have to ask which blob is the eyechart... i'm at a -6.75 for correction and i'm only 34 ... not sure where i'll be in another 30 years..... i feel your pain!

anyway, wasn't sure if you noticed the thumbnails, cauz i didn't right way.
like i said ... i'm not any help, so i'll go away now

 

Love the rifle errr pistol, rifol? What ever it is.

 

It's a 2wd Box...Mounted low...looks like the 2wd Pitman was bent to cut the angle a bit at the end...and then the linkage is similar to a 78/79 Bronco ....I'm surprised the pitman doesn't hit the springs...seems pretty hokey to me...I'd take it all out and do it a different way.

 

That's a good lookin' crew.

 

Nice Crew Cab! looks like a PO ditched the power assist steering and swapped integral power steering in its place, and didn't do a very good job of it, looks pretty jerry-rigged to me, i agree with fordtrucknut, rip it all out and do it the right way.

 

Whats the best route to go? Put it back original? Plan is to at least repair it to drive it. But id like a quality system in the end

 

What is it with people putting the stupid 2wd boxes on these crews.

Here's what mine came with & how I fixed that mess....
The hunk of frame & saginaw box came from the dodge I cut up to pull a cummins motor out of.

 

Reverting back to original probably isn't the best approach as most of the parts needed for power assist steering are either obsolete or extremely expensive.

the better approach IMO would be swapping in 78/79 integral power steering, similiar to what you have now only this time done correctly.

if you do a search on "78/79 power steering swap" or "highboy power steering" you'll come across a few lengthy detailed threads with pics, it may take a while to sort through all the riff raff but the informative threads are out there if you're patient enough to look.

unless someone who has them book marked sends you the link and saves you the time.

 

Search the saginaw box swap while you are at it. These boxes are strong, cheap & everywhere!

 

I've seen a lot of hack jobs as far as the 2wd box goes as well as a lot of other type steering hack jobs on these old trucks....The 2wd box is actually a good one to use...ONLY if it's done correctly!!! I designed a conversion using it and it works GREAT....A local 4x4 conversion shop here in Utah does a conversion using the 2wd box as well....the big difference...mine requires ZERO welding....it's all bolt in...and the only cutting involved is a small notch in core support and if you can't find a shorter steering shaft...shortening the original!!! I can't stand hacking and welding cheesy plates to the frame....Steve's is one of the best modded type ones i've seen where he grafted the Dodge frame section in....I personally don't like the steering boxes mounted on the outside of the frame the way the saginaw ones are done...but that is just me...It just sucks that these trucks were never designed with good steering til 77 1/2 on the 3/4 tons.