HELP with 1968 Ranchero

whimsi1 · #1 (**permalink**) 07-30-2006, 06:56 PM

I am selling a 1968 Ranchero 500 on Ebay for my brother-in-law who had a stroke and cannot restore it as planned, it was ordered from factory when purchased with factory air, front disc brakes and power steering and automatic tranny. He told me it has rack and pinon which is how I listed it on Ebay, I got an email saying that NO Fords that year had rack and pinon. He said it had a slave connected to the tie rod? I am a female ya'll and this guy has been downright rude and I am only trying to sell a nice car, please help anyone, I need to know if it is possible it is rack and pinon or not and where to find out if no one knows. THANKS A BUNCH FROM TEXAS!!!!!!!!!

85e150six4mtod · #2 (**permalink**) 07-30-2006, 10:58 PM

No, no Rack and Pinion in '68 on any Ford or other domestic, and darn few if any imports either.

The box would be "recirculating ball", and the power steering is "linkage assist", which is why there is a slave cylinder on the tie rod. Ford used that system much later than other manufacturers on certain models before switching to integrated recirculating ball power steering, and the rack and pinion much later starting with the Pinto in the early '70s and spreading to other models gradually over the years.

This site shows a pic:

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/steering3.htm

There is no call for anyone to be rude about this sort of thing.

There are kits to convert early Mustangs to rack and pinion, so it is theoretically possible someone could convert a '68 Ranchero. Thus, an inquiry would be in order, but not rudeness. Good luck in your efforts.

whimsi1 · #3 (**permalink**) 07-31-2006, 01:30 AM

Thanks so much!!! You are a great help, I could not figure this out!!
I really appreciate it!!

motor460head · #4 (**permalink**) 09-03-2006, 01:08 PM

yes u can adapt the after market rack n pinion kit to any front crossmember. just look for a long tube with 2 rubber boots,and 1 tie rod{bar} connected to either front wheel.this is the rack assembly similar to what you should see under the front of the vehicle {copy n paste n address bar}{http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=FLA%2DFR300KTPL&N=700+400376+313888+115&autoview=sku}
maybe this will help more than words{descriptions} good luck.

IB Tim · #5 (**permalink**) 09-03-2006, 02:45 PM

...Welcome motor head to Ford Truck Enthusiasts!

Great first post.
See you on the boards.

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