Upgrade power ram steering

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Jun 15, 2011 | 06:47 PM

77 Highboy

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Upgrade power ram steering

I am finally restoring my 77 highboy and would like to know if anyone can help me with the steering. It has the original power ram steering which I would like to convert to a power steering gear. I thought that I read somewhere that there is a specific model year steering box that is somewhat of a bolt in. Does anyone one have any experience with this and will I need different linkage as well? Thanks

Jun 20, 2011 | 04:04 PM

The Incredible Sloth

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Get a 78-79 crossover setup the push pull garbage you have now is really prone to bumpsteer especially if its lifted. Try searching in the 73-79 and offroad forums they have all the information you'll need

Jun 20, 2011 | 08:35 PM

77 Highboy

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Thanks for thr reply

After I posted I did more searching and found 2 procedures, one using a 2wd 3 bolt gear and another using a 4wd 4 bolt gear. Neither is much of "bolt-in".

Jan 8, 2012 | 05:41 PM

jbouknight

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From: South Carolina

77, what did you decide to do? I have a frame staring at me while I try to decide which way I am going to go with it.

Jan 11, 2012 | 03:43 PM

77 Highboy

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Steering

My project was put off because the guy doing the sheetmetal didn't get it done. I am planning on this summer. I still have the power ram steering on it and may leave it. I had loose bearings in the column and a loose u-joint in the intermediate shaft which, after replacement, made the truck drive much better down the road but still has less power assist than what i would like. Let me know what you end up doing. From what i read, it seems to be about the same amount of work so it would come down to which steering gear is more available.

Jan 11, 2012 | 04:20 PM

jbouknight

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From: South Carolina

I am on the hunt for 78/79 F250 4wd or 76-79 any model Supercab 4wd (all same gearbox). I can get a rebuilt from advance, autozone, etc. for +/- $325 including core charge but it doesn't have the pittman arm or steering column hub. So I hope to find a used one. I am going to keep the push/pull setup and not worry about the "cross over" thing because I don't want any lift anyway. I will reply when I get it started.
So you replaced the steering column bearing? I was looking at buying a tilt column which would have all that new in it. Thanks