Ok then it is more or less required that you have power steering to drive one of these trucks even with rack and pinion? Ed

 

I wouldn't say it is mandatory, but I just got mine on the road this month and with the small steering wheel and at any time it is nothing to turn the wheels. On the other side I found getting the pump set up and the hoses from gm pump to ford rack was a real pain. It sure makes it so I can say to the wife that she can go and take the truck out and drive it. it is not much differant then the other vehicles to drive except a lot more power to the wheels.
Good luck Ed ke6bnl

 

That sounds good. Has anyone taken a power steering unit and gear box from a early Ford (70's) F-100 and installed it. Has anyone? Ed

 

Friday, I sent out several emails to various "STEERING & Parts" shops. I asked them the same questions. When I get a reply I will forward to this post.

Questions asked:

1. Is there another application for powersteering on a 48-56 instead of IFS or Toyota?

2. Is there a bracket, either bolt-on or weld, that will allow a rack & pinion to be used on 48-56 f1/f100?


Will let y'all know what I find out.


Andrew

 

After posting last reply I remembered another site that had the following answer to the same question.

Here's one response;

"the Corvair steering box, especially the aluminum version, since these boxes were never designed for a vehicle as heavy in the front end as your truck. A '67-'68 Mustang box would be a lot better choice. I've got a good one you can have for the shipping cost. Actually, the original box in this truck is a good one if it's not worn out. They used to be popular on '32-'34 Ford hot rods. Rebuilding the original box might be worth considering. The old "bug eye" Dodge A-100 vans back in the 60's also had a really good steering box for a push-pull drag link application. Seems like I remember Rod & Custom back in the 60's did a tech article on putting one of these boxes in a late 40's-early 50's F1."

Hope this helps


Andrew

 

Honestly I am still confused. Is the manual R&P suffiecient enough to do everyday driving? I am not weak but I do like conveneince. Although I am sure that I have driven a standard no PS car, I do not remember how bad it was. I do know that what my truck has now is impossible. BTW I am thinking of you guys while I drink my next Polar Ice. GO Figure. Ed

 

Any ideas?

 

Got a friend with a 31 roadster, uses a tube axle with a manual rack. R&P is mounted directly to the axle. he used a slide joint to connect the column to the steering spline (Borgenson makes them and Flaming river, I saw em in one of the comic books) this slides in and out with the suspension travel. You are wondering,Is it safe? well the '31 goes 9.95 1/4 mile and 2 foot wheelstands, Yahoo! Car has been set up like this for 4 years and no problems, It is street driven too (sometimes)

Saw the same set up at a local cruise mounted to a tube axle on a gasser style 39 Chev.

I don't see why this would not work on an Effie, better find a good welder though if you plan to use the I beam.


Dave

 

Dave,

Although it's been done, installing a rack and pinion on a straight axle is NEVER a good idea. A rack and pinion was designed to mount on the frame or crossmember which does not move. By mounting to the axle which moves up and down, you incur bump steer (movement of the steering wheel back and forth when you go over bumps). If you are just driving down a drag strip you don't care about bump steer, but it can get very annoying driving down a bumpy street.

 

Ed

Ok.

Just give in and use a power rack.

It would be nice if you could drive a manual steering stock F100 around town for a while then drive one with the steering wheel and tire combination that you are going to use, that may give you reason enough to use the power rack.

Also as each year passes things get a little tougher to do (like turning a manual steering truck with small steering wheel and sticky radial tires on a 90 deg plus day)

I agree with Vern on the rack/beam axle even if you added a steering stabalizer bar it's not the wise thing to do.

Chuck

 

I would have to agree on the bump steer comments. I have also seen a bolt in crossmember for R&P for early Mustangs could be possible to fab up similar for the Effie frame. Just tossin out ideas and stuff I have seen done.

Dave

 

Ok now I know I have to use a aftermarket front end or go volare. I think I will spend some time at the local salvage yards in Houston and then make up my mind. Ed

 

Ed

Go Volare.

Chuck