Steering Column Compatibilty Question
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Steering Column Compatibilty Question
My truck is a 72' Ranger with 3 speed on the tree, manual steering, and a 302 and 2 barrell.
My question is will a 1968 steering column and 1968 steering gear box fit my truck without other modifications?
I have found a 1968 column, steering gear box and steering wheel for $80 and before I move forward in talking to the seller, I wanted to see if this is even feasible.....
Thanks
My question is will a 1968 steering column and 1968 steering gear box fit my truck without other modifications?
I have found a 1968 column, steering gear box and steering wheel for $80 and before I move forward in talking to the seller, I wanted to see if this is even feasible.....
Thanks
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2010
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From: Alton, MO
I assume the '68 is power steering. Is the replacement column a manual? Is the box and column a matched set (came out of the same truck). If the column is a manual you may need different shift linkage. If they are a matched set it should go in your truck without a problem.
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Thanks
I assume the '68 is power steering. Is the replacement column a manual? Is the box and column a matched set (came out of the same truck). If the column is a manual you may need different shift linkage. If they are a matched set it should go in your truck without a problem.
My truck is a 3 speed manual and the 68 column comes from a 3 speed manual xmission also.
Any mods needed in this case?
Thanks again.
Tommy
Posting Guru
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From: Alton, MO
The only potential issue I see would be shift linkage. Not knowing what engine trans combo was in the donor truck I just can't say for sure you will have absolutely no issues. I would go for it. It will bolt to your truck just like yours does. Everything is the same.
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Thanks for the help. I will go for it......
Ford Parts Specialist
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From: Simi Valley, CA
If it's a 1968, it will have awful BENDIX P/S, not Ford-Saginaw P/S.
1966/68 F100/250 2WD / 1969 F100/250 2WD before serial number D96,001 use Bendix P/S.
Bendix replacement parts are slim and none, all are obsolete. Figure at least $100.00 for the gearbox seal kit...if you can find one.
1969 F100/250 2WD, F350's from serial number use Ford-Saginaw P/S, as do 1970/72 F100/250 2WD's, F350's (1973's into the 1990's).
F100/150 4WD's began using Ford P/S in 1976, F250 4WD's since March 1977.
1971/72 F100/350's have a 2 spoke steering wheel with a horn pad. 1967/70 F100/350's use a 3 spoke steering wheel, w/a different type of horn blowing mechanism and etc.
IMO, you are going to have all sorts of problems attempting to use this 1968 set-up in a 1972.
You'll be faaar better off acquiring a 1973/79 F100 2WD, 1975/79 F100 2WD donor, then swap in the P/S and disc brakes.
1966/68 F100/250 2WD / 1969 F100/250 2WD before serial number D96,001 use Bendix P/S.
Bendix replacement parts are slim and none, all are obsolete. Figure at least $100.00 for the gearbox seal kit...if you can find one.
1969 F100/250 2WD, F350's from serial number use Ford-Saginaw P/S, as do 1970/72 F100/250 2WD's, F350's (1973's into the 1990's).
F100/150 4WD's began using Ford P/S in 1976, F250 4WD's since March 1977.
1971/72 F100/350's have a 2 spoke steering wheel with a horn pad. 1967/70 F100/350's use a 3 spoke steering wheel, w/a different type of horn blowing mechanism and etc.
IMO, you are going to have all sorts of problems attempting to use this 1968 set-up in a 1972.
You'll be faaar better off acquiring a 1973/79 F100 2WD, 1975/79 F100 2WD donor, then swap in the P/S and disc brakes.
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Posting Guru
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From: Alton, MO
The one thing I also did not note. 2WD and 4WD are different. If Bill says '68 is a bad year by design I would go with him on that one. He has most likely sold enough parts to know which was decent and which were total mistakes.
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Ford Parts Specialist
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From: Simi Valley, CA
The only 302 w/4WD that Ford offered prior to 1980 were 1969/77 Bronco's.
F100/250 4WD's were not available with P/S until 1973, then it's Power Assist P/S thru 1976 (F100/150), thru February 1977 on F250 4WD's.
If you think Bendix P/S parts are hard to find, just wait till you have one a the trucks with Power Assist P/S. Parts are almost non existant.
F100/250 4WD's were not available with P/S until 1973, then it's Power Assist P/S thru 1976 (F100/150), thru February 1977 on F250 4WD's.
If you think Bendix P/S parts are hard to find, just wait till you have one a the trucks with Power Assist P/S. Parts are almost non existant.
Posting Guru
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From: Alton, MO
Bill on trucks this old you never know what has been put in the place of original parts. My '70 sports a 302/auto yet the vin says 240 (I assume 3 spd) & I have a 460/C6 sitting on the floor waiting to go in. My truck is 2WD but that really is irrelevant. At 40 yrs old + it's a crap shoot on what is and what is not original. Same for the PS unit. As you recommended use '73-'79. Maybe someone has already swapped the '68 to that style steering. Is there somewhere you know of that would help him identify the difference between the two? Not a clue here I am running '05 rack & pinion.
Ford Parts Specialist
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Bill on trucks this old you never know what has been put in the place of original parts. My '70 sports a 302/auto yet the vin says 240 (I assume 3 spd) & I have a 460/C6 sitting on the floor waiting to go in. My truck is 2WD but that really is irrelevant. At 40 yrs old + it's a crap shoot on what is and what is not original. Same for the PS unit.
As you recommended use '73-'79. Maybe someone has already swapped the '68 to that style steering. Is there somewhere you know of that would help him identify the difference between the two? Not a clue here I am running '05 rack & pinion.
As you recommended use '73-'79. Maybe someone has already swapped the '68 to that style steering. Is there somewhere you know of that would help him identify the difference between the two? Not a clue here I am running '05 rack & pinion.
I've prolly read 100,000 posts in the 1961/66 & 1967 72 forums since 11/2006. Don't recall anyone doing this.
The Bendix gearbox is HUGE, twice the size as the Ford box. The column is different, parts are slim and none, so no one in their right mind should use one.
Posting Guru
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From: Alton, MO
That is my point. Someone may have already swapped in later model steering in the '68 he is looking at. That's why I suggested find a way he can ID what he is looking at. If Bendix he doesn't want it. If not he does.
Ford Parts Specialist
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Ford integral P/S has an ID tag mounted on the housing, but many are missing today.
The Ford sector shaft cover has an ID engineering number marked on it. Could be C6AR-3580-AA .. C7AR-3580-AA. Whatever number it is, will include 3580.
The Ford sector shaft cover has an ID engineering number marked on it. Could be C6AR-3580-AA .. C7AR-3580-AA. Whatever number it is, will include 3580.
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