Hey guys.........running a dropped straight ax/leaf spring set up in the '59 f100...
anyone had a problem with the "death shimmy" at highway speeds? planning on taking her over the road when she's done and don't want to have to deal with that (especially with the harley in the back).
Thanks!!

 

What all did you replace when you dropped the axel?

 

hey spurredon......replaced the kingpins,tie rod ends, shocks, hub seals, spring bushings..................pretty much covered it.......
thanks

 

If you did all that and still have some shimmy make sure you don't have bent rims or bad tires. Also, I have a steering stabilizer on my 1960 and you may consider that, I think it really keeps everything "calmed down" so to speak. I have no shimmy at any speed.

LMC Truck Parts - Page 99

 

hey walston.......thanks for the reply.......i'll look into that stabilizer!!
have a great weekend!

 

i also wanted to ask....anybody put the toyota steering box/kit in to replace the original sector?...I'm looking at that as a must at some point...; probably when i take the 223 out (so i can get at everything)...; really want to use the original steering wheel (with the chrome horn ring)....any guidance/thoughts on that whole process is appreciated!
Thanks!!

 

I have a toyota box in my 60. You can use the original wheel, but the horn will not work. The original box has a hollow shaft for the horn wire to go through. There is no way to do that with the toyota box. You can install a separate buttom to power the horn, but most originalists don't like that much. Here is an artical on the steering box replacement, also in my gallery (click on my name and select gallery) there are lost of pictures about it.

Toyota Steering Box Swap For 1948-1960 Trucks .: Articles

Additional articles can be found in the Article/Spec tab at the top of the page.

 

Hobbs,I want to mention to you that ,regarding your "death wobble" issue,you should go to the 48-56 section of FTE and do a search of past threads.There are many causes for the dreaded wobble, i.e. hard out of round tires, bent wheels, REAR springs/bushings, and others.Some of those past threads may not show up if you do a search only in 57-60, since we are a new section.

I'm not a strict purist, I do believe in making sensible safety upgrades, since I put on more miles probably than most other classic truck owners, commuting 60 -80 miles per day year-round.Power steering is going to be one of those upgrades, eventually, since 80% of my driving is on windy mountain roads, and my stock steering is less than optimal.

However, I WANT to be driving an old classic truck with some character, not just taking an old body and throwing it on a new truck rolling chassis, with a cushy new truck interior.If I want that, I'll buy a new truck.I'm not looking to win the bragging rights for the cleanest,tricked-out ride.It's a tool to me.One I love, but a tool, nonetheless.

There are several companies that sell kits allowing you to retain the stock column.Keeping that gorgeous, huge old steering wheel is one of the best things to keep the old-truck feel in the cab, so I will not be going with the Toyota conversion.Furthermore,it also allows me to use a stock old Ford power-steering pump.This is what I intend to install:

Power Steering Conversion Kit 1957,58,59,60 Ford F100 | eBay

It is by No-Limit Engineering, who has been selling these with no apparent problems for years now.In fact,the owner of No Limit has, in the past, come into our Forum to defend his product(He's an FTE member) after this conversion was heartily criticized/blown-off by the Toyota Conversion Only guys in several past threads.It happens that that in one thread, the only member with any real-world experience did the conversion to one of our beloved Fridges', I think, with many thousands of safe miles driven.Oh, you don't say?The naysayers, who had no experience with the conversion, were never-the-less not shy about expressing negative views.That's the way I find lots of old truck guys, reject things first, find out the actual truth after the fact.

Again, I recommend doing a search on "No Limit Power Steering Conversion" ,you should find a few threads in the archives of the 48-56 Forum.Also,if you visit No Limits' website,I believe there is a pictorial or video on the simple ,straight-forward installation.

End of preachy rant, no I don't work for No Limit.

 

Thanks so much guys!!......i really want to keep the original wheel..it is SO cool.......walston, good to know about the horn issue; thanks bud)

ibuzzard, thanks for your thoughts!!......commuting 60-80 miles/day w/ the original sector has GOT to be a challenge...I want to throw the bike in the back and drive to Wyoming/Montana/Utah and THEN ride the bike....so, i need her to be safe,sound and reliable. Really, i guess just adding power steering instead of replacing the whole box is conceivable (and probably a lot cheaper)...........
thanks again for the info!! DEEPLY appreciate it!

 

C'mon,Hobbs,it's a Harley.Don't haul it,RIDE it out west! LOL! If that means traveling a little lighter,so be it.Leave the wife at home,carry a large duffle-bag.

 

oh, the wife is DEFINITELY staying at home ayway ...don't think my old bones could make the ride

 

Sending folks to the 48-56 group to search will be a way of life for awhile! Good advise Buzz.