I have a 1974 f100 4x4 with a 390. I am not happy with the power assist steering system. I am wondering what modifications need to be made to install a 1977 1/2 - 1979 power steering gearbox to my pickup?

1. Will the gearbox bolt on without any modifications?

2. Do I need to change power steering pumps as well?

3. Will the steering shaft need to be shortened?

Any help or comments would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

++++y

 

I have 73 f100 4x4 and am having a Ford enthusiast from north dakota swap out the factory power assist and install a set up from a 76-77 model. he said the steering wheel will turn with the ease of a finger.

can't wait

 

Do you currently have power assist?
If I understand your post correctly you are replacing your current system with a newer power assist system. Is this correct? and if so, Is the power assist on a 76 better than the one on your 73?

Thank you for your reply

I am trying to get away from having the steering assist cylinder right out in front of the axle. (first thing that gets hit when I go over a big bump or rock). I thought I could get rid of the cylinder completely by installing a power steering gearbox (which I understand is only available after 77 1/2 on a 4x4). But I dont want to get one unless I know it will bolt right on to my frame.

It dosen't look like the 80-86 gearbox will bolt on since it is mounted on the inside of the frame.

If I can't find anything that will bolt on easily I will just replace my power assist componets.

Mark

 

I'll find out this week what all is involved in this change out / this is actually the second time I had a power steering blowout / both times the outside temp was 15-20 below zero /

 

Check out the tech article from this site. They have that exact conversion outlined.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/articles/powerassist.php

JJ

 

the tech article is for a 250. I am doing the conversion on a f100. Is the gearbox the same? Is the frame the same? I would like to do this without altering the frame if possible.

thanks

Mark

 

The principles should still apply. Just use F100 in place of F250 when you are getting your parts.

JJ

 

cornfeed,I just finished a power steering swap on My Daughters 76 F-100 4x4 from the ram assist to the 79 Ford F-150 integral power steering box.I wrote an article on how to power steer a 71 F-100 4x4 and there are a few differences that I found between the 71 and the 76.Send me your e-mail address and I will send you the article with the differences I found to complete the conversion.
"bowties in the rearview mirror"

 

Nod

Thanks for the article. It will help alot. However I have another question. You say in the article that for the 71 you had to have the gearbox reworked otherwise the truck will turn left when you want to turn right. I am wondering if this is true for the 76 as well.

Thanks for all the help so far

Cornfeed

 

Cornfeed,yes I had to have the 79 box reworked to work on the 76.My daughter loves the one finger steering and the lack of oil dripping all the time. It really cleans up the front of the truck by losing all that ram assist hardware.While i was doing the swap on the 76 I had some extra time so I removed the spring towers and redrilled the mounting holes one and three sixteenths inch higher .Then I painted everything black and reinstalled the towers in the new hole location.This is a free lift of one and three sixteenths and it takes some of the nosedive out of this year truck. I also replaced the missing inner fender skirting with .012 pvc strip vinyl,no more mud all over the engine compartment.Let me know if you have any more questions,I will be glad to help if I can.
"bowties in the rearview mirror"

 

Nod

Thanks for the reply. I bought a power steering gearbox out of a 79 today. What is involved in reversing the direction? Can I do it myself? How much did it cost to have yours done? What kind of place does this kind of work?

If the price is reasonable I may just send it off to the same guy that reworked yours.

Thanks again, you have been extremely helpful

Cornfeed

 

Cornfeed.it cost me $ 259.00 to have the box done at the buisness in my article.I also got a new steering shaft from him as my old one was toast,the new steering shaft took all the play out of my steering and it has greasable u joints in it. Rock on!
"bowties in the rearview mirror"

PS ,You should call Pat at Benchworks and let him know what you are doing,he was a big help to me when it came to pumps and hoses.

 

nod, is there a link for your article? i can't give you my email in these posts, but i'm interested in a p/s swap on my '76 4x4. thx.

 

bluey,click on my profile link at the bottom of my post above.That will take you to my profile then click on the contact link and e-mail me your address and I will send you a download of my article.
"bowties in the rearview mirror"