I have recently bought a 1970 ( titled new in '71) Ford F250 4x4, 360, 4spd, divorced 2spd tcase, 4.10 gears. The body is pretty straight,, no rust, runs good, drives good... one problem... I have 12.5 x33's on it and the guy that had it, put one of those dinky aftermarket steering wheels on it. Typical kid thing to do and he's off in Iraq now... his dad sold me the truck. It's a real bear to steer in close quarters with the old manual steering. Does anyone out there know an easy swap in ps unit to replace the man.gear, that won't cost an arm and a leg or require a large amount of tie rod or other mods to make work?

 

https://www.ford-trucks.com/article/...n_F250_4x4.htm

or https://www.ford-trucks.com/article/...r_Highboy.html

If your interested in the bolt up Ram assist unit ford used for a couple years and not adding a PS box I have a few of the complete setups laying around.

You can click my user name and select email from the drop down menu to let me know.

 

I might be interested in the hyd cyl assist thing you mentioned. I'm curious though... I've heard that they are somewhat unreliable and are prone to leak oil all over the place. Is this true? It might be an easier and less time consuming thing to do though... I tried to send ya an e mail but you have to be a member for a certain period of time and have at least 50 posts on here to send e mail to members... due to spammers and such... kind of a crock but that's ok. You can probably send me e mail and I could reply directly... maybe. I use this truck on a daily basis and it was hard to find time to even get the durn thing painted... so a retrofit that takes the least time etc would be the best.

 

There are a couple of ways to go on this: There is a guy out of Seattle or Portland who sells kits to convert these trucks. I have never used him but a lot of people have. Also, I converted mine with a saginaw style box with no welding or cutting of the frame. Check out my gallery under the 1967 crew for detailed pics.

I have never been a big fan of the hydro assist that attaches to the drag link for all the aforementioned reasons.

 

Jerry your conversion looks great!! I had actually picked up the same Dodge cradle setup when I was debating my conversion options and passed on it because I thought it would rub a bit. The 2wd box worked out with my deal because I opted for a crossover conversion and maybe a little more lift than the 4in Skyjacker later on down the road. But boy does yours look clean. I still have it laying around if this is an option for you RMPC.

 

FYI-
I am getting started dropping in a 4-bolt ps box from a '78 F250 4x4. Dumb luck that I found it last year in a local junkyard...CHEAP! ALSO picked up a Tonka-Tuff adjustable drag link from a '71 F250 4x4 (manual box)
I'll photo the whole fabrication / assembly and post it as soon as it's finished.

 

Jerry what dodge box is that that is a nice set up I am using a 70's 2x box now but I like yours better

 

It's a saginaw box from a 77 to 79 Dodge 4x4. I would ad that I am going to change to the saginaw type pump (GM) as i have not had good performance with the Ford one. I got the box from AGR in Texas. I don't reccomend them either way as they sent me the wrong box first.

 

Ford used a saginaw pump to go along with the saginaw gears on our trucks. If it is saginaw it aint dodge or gm.


John

 

I like the way you think.