I just bought an either '75 or '76 F250 4x4 with a 390 and a 4-speed manual. The engine runs good and the pickup rides nice, though the steering needs some serious work.

**EDIT**
The VIN on the cab is for a '73.
**/EDIT**

I've found that the drag link has two bad ball joints.

The problem is, I can't seem to find any other pickup that has the same power steering setup as mine.

All of the images I've been able to find show two styles of drag link:

1) Drag link from the steering box pitman arm back to the steering knuckle on the drivers side, or,
2) Long drag link that connects to the passenger side right next to that side's tie-rod end.

However, my power steering has neither; the pitman arm is pointing rearward, on the inside of the frame, and the drag link points towards the drivers side tire.

Here's a pic:



Is this the factory steering on this year pickup? Where might I find a replacement drag link for it?

 

75 and 76 have slightly different grills. You should be able to find what you need on Google btw.

 

Believe me, I've been Google'n exhaustively. The problem is I think this pickup is a 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 automobile.

The door says it was made in the middle of '74.
It has the old-style ('74/'75) distributor with what I think is DS-1 ignition.
Has a 390 (FE engine discontinued in '76 according to Wikipedia)
Has true power steering (not power assist).
Gas tank behind the seat (The tank was moved under the bed in '73 according to Wikipedia).
Tilt steering wheel (Not available until '79, I believe).
'76-'77 Grille.
No A/C, no vents.

 

Fuel tank behind the seat is factory for a highboy. Your front suspension however is not. Looks like 78-79 leafs. Your steering box is definitely not stock to your truck if it's a Highboy. Power assist was factory. Take some better picture of your front end, and steering box. Also how many lugs are your wheels?

FYI the only way to tell what your truck was factory is to find the vin. The vin is on the top of the passenger frame rail in between the cab mount and radiator support. Find that number and post it up, we'll tell you what your truck really is.

 

Wheels are 8-lug.

I'll take a look at the VIN when I get home from work today. But the VIN isn't on the driver's side dash?

 

No, it is stamped into the top of frame as CO425 stated in previous post on passenger side frame rail. Not easy to find if rusted or grease caked. Use a wire brush or wheel to clean frame.

 

They didn't do that on trucks until the '80s. The official VIN is stamped on the passenger side frame rail somewhere between the cab and the radiator support. The VIN can also be found on the "warranty plate" which is riveted to the driver's door, but that may not match the frame if body parts have been swapped...

 

According to the VIN number on the door frame, the cab is from a '73.

Decoded VIN

I haven't found the stamping on the frame yet.

 

that front end set up looks like a 78-79 3/4 ton. your truck should have 5leaf springs in the front that are arched, your picture show a two negative arch 78-79 spring. someone may have dropped an older cab onto a newer frame .

 

From what I found last night just before dark, it has a '78/79 power steering pump (hoses on the bottom).


But it definitely looks like it was added by the PO.


Here's a pic of the front-end.

 

That front end looks like it's a 77.5 - 79 IMO

 

I'm no expert with the Dents, but that steering set-up looks like its installed incorrectly. The pitman arm faces into the frame and the drag link crosses the spring. Not sure why he put the steering box on the outside of the frame, limits any chance of good suspension travel.

 

I think you're correct. If I remember correctly, the pitman arm should be on the outside of the frame. The steering box looks correct. It sits directly on top of the frame rail.

 

If I were to remove the pitman arm and align it "straight out" (towards the wheel), the wheels would then turn the opposite direction...

 

That could make for an entertaining practical joke (off-road), but I wouldn't recommend it.