my project truck is a big frankenstein, its a 78 f150 2wd body on a 77 1/2 f250 frame, with a 78 d60 and a 77 400 motor(Every part from a different truck LOL) my question is this, i have a 77 highboy, and i love the highboy steering that everyone else hates, i want to use this type of steering on my project truck, what mods will i have to do to make it fit? the only problem i see is will the highboy gearbox bolt up to the newer frame? anyone done this?

THanks Bob

 

I've never seen a non power steering box on a 77.5-79 F250 lowboy, so your steering box will have to be custom installed. There are quite a few reasons why NOBODY except you like that old PS assist system. From my own experience it has assist when you really don't need it(highway) and doesn't work when you do need it(offroad or tight turns etc.etc. etc.).
The dare to be different fits you perfectly!!!! LOL
Seriously though if it works for you stickto it and good luck.

 

the reason i like it, is simple, it works and it works well. provided its in tip top shape! i drove an '06 f350 and the wheele jerks around off rod the power assist doesnt do that! infact the only thing i dont like about power assist, is its a pain to put all those lines on the little dinky bracket correctly!

 

wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooops, i didnt realize i was logged in under my father :P

 

Are they using rack and pinion on that 06 Superduty? Hey consider yourself lucky your dad can even use a computer.
Seriously how and where do you find parts to keep that power assist in tip top shape or even in functional shape. Last time I checked there were "0" new parts available for them and custom building was a one off exercise, and you need to LIE about the application to get custom made hoses or even parts for the ram??????

 

Not only can I use one, but I also repair them for a living...

 

Hey that's pretty cool, but my dad is 69 in a few days. I wish we could get him interested in computers, he got rid of his livestock almost 12 years ago and only cash crops now. (I see cash go out but not much comes in) Maybe when I win the lottery I'll buy the farm and farm it until the money's all gone!

 

simple http://www.advanceautoparts.com/ they have EVERY SINGLE part, not new, but as good as new. the only part i will never buy rebuilt, is a master cyl.
i priced it out, minus a gearbox, minus hoses, and minus core charge its like $550, and hoses are only like $125 bucks if i remember correctly. so for $675 roughly, i have everything power related. Still Much less than a conversion to integral steering, wich i dont like as much!
honestly, the only part that seems hard to get, is the control valve, and thats available rebuilt, or autozone offers parts to rebuild it yourself. im not sure where i heard this, but someone said the power cyl. is available at tractor parts places. and any good hydraulic hose maker "should" be able to make new hoses. the pump can be swaped with minor mods, to many different models.

Thats how i keep it in tip top shape. wheeeeeeew time to inhale! LOL

 

I like the Highboy assist steering also. I've replaced all the parts but the bendix valve deal on the pitman arm, and bought it all at Napa. The most expensive part was the hydralic ram itself, $375.

I dont have any problems making sharp turns, I can turn the wheels lock to lock at a dead stop at an idle with no problems.

 

could I interest u guys in some 73-77 Ford power assist parts. I know of a few complete units on trucks and on frame clips that have been saved( still closed systems ) that I can get a hold of and may be very reasonable priced. Yes I am serious! PM or email me if you're interested. Nobody will touch them up here and unless someone is doing an OEM resto . One of my friends had a 74 F150 4x4 and it looked like the same unit. Would you guys know if the standard steering on the F250 unit has the same box as the power assist?
FordPickup460: Isn't that strange about the dump? One man's junk........................