I just got a 1976 f250 super cab camper. and when you drive it she will barly turn, you couldn't pull out of a normal parking spot at homedepot if you wanted to on one try. it feels like lock to lock it too close to each other. could the steering box be f.u. or is it just supposed to be that hard to drive. I have driven a lot of older trucks and this one blows my mind.

any help?

 

Maybe it's stuck in 4 wheel drive? That's what it sounds like to me.

 

sorry I forgot she is a 2wd 460 auto

 

You're not alone
Because of the problems associated with the F250 4x4 steering. an article was written to to swap in the other Ford system.

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

 

what wheelbase do you have? SuperCab or CrewCab? The extra length makes a huge difference.

I can't pull out of a normal parking space in my 77 2wd 460 auto SuperCab. I think that's pretty normal.

 

she is a super cab long bed, but I am not sure she dont feel the same in the wheel as my old 78 short bed standard cab felt, it almost feels like it is stoping short on the rotations like it is hitting something, I am going to be picking it up in about a hour then I will know more, but I drove it yesterday and it just felt weird.

 

There are different ratios of steering gears.
Maybe a PO swapped in something different ?
post the Tag info from the gear housing

 

I know my '76 Supercab long bed seems to have a wide turning radius. It is like driving a super tanker. I usually have more trouble getting into the parking spots than backing out. I figure it's a big truck and I don't really worry about how it manuevers. It gets the job done...

 

I have a '76 F-250 standard cab long bed with 460/C6 and it has the turning circle of an aircraft carrier. However, my previous ride was a '83 VW Rabbit GTI, so I just attribute that to getting used to full size trucks.

 

Figured I would add to this existing thread instead of starting a new one. Has anyone actually measured the turning circle on one of these trucks? Or is this information listed in the brochures and manuals from back in the day?

Dennis? you've got all sorts of old paperwork, anything?

 

I've been looking for a Turning Radius diagram but can't find one.

If these trucks were made like sports cars I know ot would be in the manual

 

I think my '76's turning radius is rated just under the USS Kitty Hawk's.

 

I know that my truck has about the same turning radius and it is a standard cab long bed. I don't even try to pull into a parking space any where. I just go straight for backing in and don't worry about trying to drive into a space. in wally-world parking if I cut it as soon as I pull out, I can just miss taking off the bumpers of the cars in the other side. Trying to do u-turns is interesting as well, I tend to ride up on curbs and sidewalks all the time. doing a u turn in a 4 lane with no median in funny, I just try not to hit any telephone poles on the other side of the sidewalk

 

I just went from a '79 2wd shortbox to a '77 longbox supercab. I can no longer turn around in the round about at the end of my street!!! Frickin thing turns like a 18 wheeler! In fact I think my dads dump truck turns better because I know he can make the turn at the end!

You get really good at backing in to parking spots!

 

the long box supercab is a special joy.