1966 power steering
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 790
From: Simi Valley, CA
No replacement parts are available for Bendix P/S except the master seal kit (and then only from obsolete parts vendors).
If you can find one...figure 100 bucks EZ.
1966/68 F100/250 2WD / 1969 F100/250 2WD before serial number D96,001 used Bendix P/S.
1969 F100/250 2WD & F350's from serial number D96,001 used Ford (Saginaw) P/S, which was then used into the 1990's.
There are 1000's of posts here on FTE that explain how to install Ford P/S on these trucks.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,109
Likes: 10
From: Thornton, Colorado
I read a ton on this issue when my steering gear went out, and one thing I can tell you is all the post say the Power Steering column is slightly shorter, and therefore you have to replace the column. That and the Bendix issue convinced me to abandon that idea. I replaced or rebuilt everything in my 66 from the wheels to the steering wheel, and my truck now drives like a dream. I cannot believe that manual steering can be this easy to drive. I guess I never drove a manual steering box that wasn't half trashed. I drive with one hand most of the time, and I have 3 on the tree. It changed my trucks drive ability about 99%
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,315
Likes: 0
From: Rossmoor at Seal Beach
I read a ton on this issue when my steering gear went out, and one thing I can tell you is all the post say the Power Steering column is slightly shorter, and therefore you have to replace the column. That and the Bendix issue convinced me to abandon that idea. I replaced or rebuilt everything in my 66 from the wheels to the steering wheel, and my truck now drives like a dream. I cannot believe that manual steering can be this easy to drive. I guess I never drove a manual steering box that wasn't half trashed. I drive with one hand most of the time, and I have 3 on the tree. It changed my trucks drive ability about 99%
Agreed! I rebuilt mine, and it does drive so easy that I don't see the point in having power steering... It really is a testament to the design of the period!
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 32,127
Likes: 2,448
From: Upstate NY
I have power steering on my '66 and it's fine. However, on my '60, I do not but it has been completely redone and steers just as nice as power! It has a different feel but even with the old straight axel it is great. I say all that to encourage rebuilding your existing.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
You don't get much from power steering on the hi-way, where it shows up most is at idle, turning in & out of tight places, backing trailers, and the like.
I don't disagree the latter posters, but I aint giving my PS conversion up. I like it.
John
I don't disagree the latter posters, but I aint giving my PS conversion up. I like it.
John
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 258
Likes: 1
From: East SF Bay Area
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,315
Likes: 0
From: Rossmoor at Seal Beach
Yeah I can understand Power steering if your teenage daughter, or grandma is going to drive it. I tow my boat, and toy hauler with my truck, no problem, and I live by the beach, so parking can be tough, and I have no problem with the manual steering, nor do either of my kids. So put your money where it is needed more! As long as you maintain your steering properly, it will take care of you. As John (Jowilker) said "You don't get much assistance from power steering on the highway, but where it shows up most is at low speed!"
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Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 790
From: Simi Valley, CA
Drove w/o it...and some a those old piles of misery grandma's drove had massive 18-24" wheels, rudimentary front suspension....steered worse than any Slick.
IMO, you don't need P/S unless you do a lotta parallel parking. With properly inflated tires and with steering/suspension up to snuff, even kiddies can drive w/o it.
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 258
Likes: 1
From: East SF Bay Area
The main reason I'm interested in P/S is that I end up doing a lot of parking in tight parking lots when I take the truck out. It's a long bed, which makes it worse than most. Some lot aisles are only 25 feet wide or even less. I can armstrong it, but then the steering wheel itself suffers. I've put more than a few cracks in the 2 I've had on it. It'd be nice to 'one-finger steer' it, especially in stopped, tight manuevering situations.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
From: Central Oregon
Drove my first 65 for 25 years before I put power steering in it. Don't know why I waited that long, it's the first thing I do to mine now. You can also swap out the steering wheel for a smaller one if you have ps. More room the "extra sized" new me.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Yall leave my grandmother alone. I don't know if she ever drove a car. Hell with 13 children she didn't have much time to go places.
I like my power steering and I'm sticken with it, I don't care what yall say.
John
I like my power steering and I'm sticken with it, I don't care what yall say.
John
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,109
Likes: 10
From: Thornton, Colorado
I think we can all agree, that to put power steering in requires a replacement steering column, and gear, and all the power items and mount brackets. For some people all the work is worth it, for others it is not. I am a near purist in my truck. It didn't come with power, so I won't add it now.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 32,127
Likes: 2,448
From: Upstate NY
The main reason I'm interested in P/S is that I end up doing a lot of parking in tight parking lots when I take the truck out. It's a long bed, which makes it worse than most. Some lot aisles are only 25 feet wide or even less. I can armstrong it, but then the steering wheel itself suffers. I've put more than a few cracks in the 2 I've had on it. It'd be nice to 'one-finger steer' it, especially in stopped, tight manuevering situations.