Hi guys. One of my first posts, so a very brief history:

I got my '54 F100 back in Oct 2002. Since then the 223 has been rebuilt; runs great. I have successfully converted to 12V with no big problems. Bench seat has been reupholstered and I have been driving the truck around the neighborhood here in West Virginia every day. Hoping to find time to set up a gallery since I'm starting to have fun with this project.

Now it's time to get it inspected so I'm going to get a muffler and tailpipe next week. While it's in the shop it's a good time to have front end work done, so here's my question:

When I get up to about 30 mph (speedometer doesn't work) the front end shimmies LIKE CRAZY (BOUNCES ALL OVER THE PLACE, MAN!). The <a href="http://service.bfast.com/bfast/click?bfmid=37919709&siteid=39251846">tires </a>are pretty bad by the way (sufficient tread, but 28-year old bias belts that were sitting in one spot). Anyway, if the truck needs king pins or tie rod ends or whatever, and I get it all fixed, will I be wasting my time if I want to be able to install some type of power steering later on? In other words is there a way to install power steering to the stock front end? I'm going to keep this thing as stock as possible in the long run (except for the 4.27(!!!) rear end), but power steering would be nice in the future.

Thanks,

Ed

 

John's F-Fun Hundreds carries a bolt on power steering system that works with a stock setup. Be prepared to open your wallet to the tune of $750 and you still need to find a pump!

Another option I've heard of is a Toyota box out of a 4X4. Requires cutting the frame a little. I can't recall if anyone used their stock column, though.

Hope this helps!

 

Ed,
I have a Toyota PS box on my '59 with the stock suspension. However, it is tied to a '78 GM tilt steering column. Not sure if you can tie the stock column to the Toyo PS box; it may just be a matter of finding gears and U-joints that'll marry the two together.
But I do know that the Toyo PS box is "do-able" for a power steering fix on these old trucks.

The shimmy could be any number of factors: kingpins, bushings, <a href="http://service.bfast.com/bfast/click?bfmid=37919709&siteid=39251846"><a href="http://service.bfast.com/bfast/click?bfmid=37919709&siteid=39251846">tires </a></a>(out of round due to sitting in one spot for a millenium), worn linkage, etc... Probably best to go thru the whole thing and see what needs replacing. I'd start with <a href="http://service.bfast.com/bfast/click?bfmid=37919709&siteid=39251846"><a href="http://service.bfast.com/bfast/click?bfmid=37919709&siteid=39251846">tires </a></a>and kingpins though. My '59 needed kingpins right off the bat when I brought him home and I added new shocks (MonroeMatics).

Try that, note the differences (if any) and keep trying from there. Or, if you know someone who knows straight suspensions well, have them give it a once over, drive it, and see if they can nail-down the problem. Chances are though, that it's more than one thing wrong.

Good luck
Daryl

P.S.- you also may want to follow Big Hands' thread entitled "A wandering we shal go" dated 3-27-03, since it relates to your topic!

 

Ed, I am in the process of putting the Toyota box in my 56F100. Look at this site http://www.f100connection.com/. Look under the tech section of their site. They tell you the years of Toyota boxes that will fit. They also show the bracket required. You can buy it or make it. They also offer the bushing/collar and the u-joint to mate this box to your stock collumn. If you go with the Toyota box, you can buy the pitman arm from this site as well that will hook up the Toyota box to your stock drag link.

If you want to make your own bracket & pitman arm, check out this site: http://www.geocities.com/zeener96/toyota.htm Dennis outlines what he has done to avoid having to buy all the parts. I'm going to make my own bracket and get a welder to make the pitman arm using the stock Toyota unit and my Ford arm.

I have also heard about using a GM Saginaw steering box but not sure from what year/model car and if it is any better/easier to put in than the Toyota.

I'm not sure of how well the Toyota will work but it looked like the most cost effective solution to getting power steering added to the stock suspension. I found the steering box, pump, resevoir and pitman arm for $100.00 Cdn total. I had to take it out but that wasn't too much trouble.

Good luck!

Kevin

 

Didn't see spring bushings and pins mentioned so I will. You likely need most of the wear parts for the steering linkage but don't forget to check (and replace) your front spring mount wear parts or you might not get the control you'd like.

 

How about tie rods ends?

HAnds