My 76 two wheel drive column has the goofy looking adapter with the round rubber piece fixed right to the end. Are the 4wd column different? I would have thought they would be the same but the steering column on a 4wd apparently has a splined shaft directly on the end that goes into the steering shaft knucle. Is there a way to replace something on the 2wd column to make it work on a 4wd or do I have to buy a whole new fricken column. (I ask because I'm doing a 4wd conversion).

 

Remove the rag joint on the end of the 2wd column and maku up a shaft that will connect to the steering box. YOu will have to locate the box forward of the crossmember so it will require a shaft.
I am using a 2wd (79) column in a 4wd application. Just expose the splines and attach a steering shaft. Cut to length and you are set.

 

Thanks for the response, much appreciated. I have already relocated the steering box and done pretty much everything else. And I have the steering shaft with the knuckle already from my donor vehicle. So are you saying I cut the rag joint off and there is a splined shaft already there? I had thought about doing that but couldn't tell for sure if there was a splined shaft under it.

 

Yes sir. That rag joint (rubber thing) is attached to the end of the column with a set of splines. You can either remove a 12 point bolt, or a roll pin that makes the interconnection and you will expose some splines. These splines are a common size, so finding something to fit is not difficult.

 

I can't wait to read what the outcome of this will be.

2WD: The rag joint bolts to a flange that is part of the lower steering shaft, so once it's removed, how will you attach a homemade shaft to the flange?

4WD: Ford used a steering shaft and coupler assy that took the place of the lower steering shaft. This part goes directly to the gearbox, and is flexible.

How long will a homemade tube that is not flexible last?

 

I have to go get some pics. On the last two 79 2wd columns that I have used, and a previous 75, I removed the rag joint and exposed a set of splines. Two seperate columns, all from 2wd trucks, and all with results that were the same. Am I smoking the "crack" or did I get lucky with some strange columns?

Now, so this can be helpfull, why not continue to use the rag joint at the column and then make a steering shaft that attaches to it? This shaft will require a u-joint at the box end, but this too is as easy to make as anything else.

 

All I can say is...discussing this issue without one of us having the parts catalog is gonna be futile.

You say this, the parts catalog shows that.

I'll be more than happy to bring one over so you can see what I'm refering to.

btw: Did those two 1979 2WD columns have a tilt wheel?

 

Yes. they were tilt and both had cruise if that makes a difference. I recall one column that had this piece attached to the end, but cant for the life of me remember much about it. I am sure that I just threw it away, only to use another more desirable column.

I agree that trying to discuss this in this fashion will get us nowhere, so perhaps, You can bring a book, and I will bring a column, and we can meet for a cup of coffee? Ill buy....

Typically when I use a column like this, I end up using two u-joints. One at the splined column end and another at the box end so that there is no binding in the shaft when it turns. One joint alone is no good if there is a compound bend.

I can make the OP's column work with minimal parts. No matter which steering box he uses. It is not all that difficult. The rag joint can still be used on the column end, and then a shaft that fits into it that will bolt up to the box is easy.

 

The '78/79 2WD tilt column rag joint (D8TZ3A525A) bolts to the flange as I said, but this flange (D8TZ3B528A) is removable (catalog sez: bolt on type) exposing the lower steering shaft splines.

2WD: 1973/77, 1978/79 w/o a tilt wheel, the flange is made as part of the lower steering shaft.

 

Ok, now numberdummy's got me all confused. In 75350's defense, I have a 4wd steering box, 4wd steering shaft (that goes from the column to gearbox, and has one u-joint type knuckle), and a 2wd steering column with no tilt. 75f350's description makes all the sense in the world, and I have a hard time believing ford would have 2 completely different steering columns for a 2wd and 4wd, but I could be wrong. The 4wd steering shaft I have, slides onto splines on the column end, and has the rag joint on the gearbox end. I would think I could take the rag joint off my current 2wd column to expose some splines, and then attach the 4wd steering shaft. I can't recall anyone saying anything about putting a fixed shaft in that doesn't pivot, and it sounds like 75350's done this before. Originally I thought the rag joint on the 2wd column was permanently attached, and I would have to take the steering column apart and replace that end with a splined shaft, like the 4wd column has but I haven't had any luck finding a parts breakdown of the columns. Ok, now I have a headache!

 

Alright,,,,so because I used a tilt column, the coupler and hardware could be removed and can be used, however, this does not help the OP. In fact, I may have confused the issue. Apologies for that.

SInce he has the early column w/o tilt, then he has to get creative, and by this, he can either change columns or get the fabrication juices flowing and make up some sort of shaft to adapt the column and the box.

Curious which box is being used here?

 

Believe it kiddo, because this is exactly the case!

See my sig below, I didn't start doing this jazz yesterday.

How many different 4WD shaft and coupler assys do you think Ford made from 1973/79?

Did you say EIGHT?

And...the types used 1973/75 are not the same as the types used 1976/79.

Prior to 1976, there are all sorts of separate available parts including a U-joint and bearings.

1976/79's are a ONE piece assembly. Not one single part is available. AND...F100/150 is not the same shaft & coupler as F250, or F350!

 

Bill has this right. I dont have any reason to ever question the books or the numbers. Well on one or two occasions perhaps, lol.

At any rate I dont believe that there is anything wrong with leaving the column the way it is. This is simply going to require a shaft that will make a connection between the original column and the new steering box.
Sounds like a rag joint in the original location on the column and a u-joint at the box end with a slip style shaft in the center is the way to go.

 

Wow, get pissy right away! First of all, don't call me kiddo, and second of all, I appreciate the fact that your brain oozes ford parts info, all I needed to hear from you was there is no replacement part, and I could then move on to option 2 which is to fab something, don't tell me it can't be done, I'm 90% through a 2wd to 4wd conversion that everyone said I was crazy to do, and it turned out to be pretty simple. 75f350, the 2wd column is from a 76 350 and the steering box and steering shaft are from a 79 150. I think you may have mentioned something that I thought about. Leave the 2wd column as is and simply flip the steering shaft around so the rag joint is at the top by the column and the splined knuckle of the shaft is attached to the box. Hmmm, I may have to try it in the morning. Thanks to both of ya for taking the time to help.

 

Not pissy at all...typed that jazz with tongue in cheek. Didn't you notice this:

I call everyone here on FTE kiddo. Compared to my age (65), most of the ppl here on FTE are youngsters.