steering column
I'll have the Roast Duck
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 9,622
Likes: 110
From: Northshore, MN
AFAIK, the Mustang column is too short. But where there's a will, there's a way. The Mustang dash also sits lower than a pickup, so I personally would look for something from another pickup or van. 70's Chevy van's were popular, IIRC.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 16,190
Likes: 4,797
From: Burbank, WA
Most newer cars have steering columns that are really fat or have a lot of shrouding around them. That makes them very bulky and look out of place in an older vehicle. That's one reason why the aftermarket colums have become so popular. They incorporate all the modern features we're looking for into a compact, somewhat original-looking package.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 362
Likes: 0
From: Rio Rancho , New Mexico
Are you keeping the stock suspension? What's your price range? What features do you want?
If so you have a few options including finding rebuilt or oversized steering boxes and OEM steering wheels/columns. You could always use a collapsible steering shaft to account for movement of your suspension and attach an aftermarket steering wheel to what ever column you use.
If you are doing something like an IFS than you would want to find a column that is not too wide and roughly 30-34 inches long depending on your seat, preferred driving position, and wheel. Although aftermarket companies like flaming river and ididit are expensive it is an important part functionally. I was patient and got my chrome, tilt, flaming river column with dress kit and joints for half price because I took advantage of shopping the interwebs.
If you're not in a hurry dont rush it. They both look cool and function well if done properly and safely. Safety first! You don't want to go down the road and have your wheel fall off and loose steering
.
If so you have a few options including finding rebuilt or oversized steering boxes and OEM steering wheels/columns. You could always use a collapsible steering shaft to account for movement of your suspension and attach an aftermarket steering wheel to what ever column you use.
If you are doing something like an IFS than you would want to find a column that is not too wide and roughly 30-34 inches long depending on your seat, preferred driving position, and wheel. Although aftermarket companies like flaming river and ididit are expensive it is an important part functionally. I was patient and got my chrome, tilt, flaming river column with dress kit and joints for half price because I took advantage of shopping the interwebs.
If you're not in a hurry dont rush it. They both look cool and function well if done properly and safely. Safety first! You don't want to go down the road and have your wheel fall off and loose steering
.
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
If so you have a few options including finding rebuilt or oversized steering boxes and OEM steering wheels/columns. You could always use a collapsible steering shaft to account for movement of your suspension and attach an aftermarket steering wheel to what ever column you use.
The box was ok when I got the truck, but like many things on this truck its something I messed up. Looks like this is going to be a costly mistake.
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Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
The Toyota PS swap is perfect for you.
Toyota Steering Box Swap For 1948-1960 Trucks .: Articles
Well within your budget even with an aftermarket column (paint grade). Search Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market for a used Toy box, they go for 75.00-125.00
Mid Fifty www.midfifty.com will buy your original box, and their swap kit is first rate.
Toyota Steering Box Swap For 1948-1960 Trucks .: Articles
Well within your budget even with an aftermarket column (paint grade). Search Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market for a used Toy box, they go for 75.00-125.00
Mid Fifty www.midfifty.com will buy your original box, and their swap kit is first rate.
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: ontario canada
I used a steering column from a 79 f150 but had alot of problem with clearence on exhaust manifolds .In the end i could make everything work well so it got replaced with ididit column , but i am using the brake pedal from the 79 f150. If u can find a tilt column that would work beter
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Thanks AXracer, this is definitely the way I am going. I think I may look for a non power-steering unit. But I will probably just take the first good unit I find. Thanks this was one of the bigger issues I was worried about. Now I just need to find a good column that will fit in the truck.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
I used an Ididit tilt column in plain steel (paintable, I really didn't want a chrome or polished SS, the steering column is not that "attractive" to draw attention to it IMHO). I would highly recommend the PS box over the manual, just the right amount of assist, plus the manual box uses a different spline than the PS, and since no one offers a ready made pitman arm for the manual box you would need to make your own. The PS boxes are readily available from the link in my first post, and you could get an inexpensive pump from there as well.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 16,190
Likes: 4,797
From: Burbank, WA
Just to add to AXracer's comments about power steering, it would be a lot of work and expense for absolutely no gain to swap the Toyota manual steering in place of the stock stuff. If manual steering is what you desire, simply buying a reman stock steering box would be the easiest and most cost effective way to achieve your goal. You may have noticed in the stock set up, the box and column is all one unit. To change away from that means replacing both box and column separately, and then figuring out how to make it all work.
New User
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
I've got a Flaming River tilt column. It's a bit overkill on the looks, but it's a very solid unit. Indicator switch return is excellent as well as the operation of all the levers. The tilt feature is very smooth. The best part about it is the adjustment range during install. You can use it at stock height or fully customized. It is expensive, but a stout product.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
I wouldn't go so far as to say there is no benefit to using the Toy manual box, the recirculating ball design is far smoother and wear resistant than the antique design Ford carried over from the Model T, but the very small/no savings over the PS version is hardly worth the effort to use the manual box.
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