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"The next easiest conversion is to use the 3 bolt 1/2 ton 4wd box that mounts to the outside of the frame, and even this has some limitations. Since the stock steering design used apush pull type design, this box has to be used with either an inverted "T" design, or a full crossover. This is where the drag link attaches to the pass side of the truck, and the drag link crosses over to the other side. (hence the term). Typically this is used with lifted trucks and large 1 ton axles where the drag link attaches to the pass side knuckle. In the case where a D44 is used, and knuckle modifications may not be desireable to do, the inverted "T" is suitable.
This box cant be used with a push pull design, since the pitman arm faces foward, if it was re-indexed to move from front to rear and not side to side, the pitman arm would turn the wrong direction, when the steering wheel is turned. In other words the steering will be backwards." -posted by 75F350 on 03-25-2009

I read through several threads over the last day or two, so I hope I'm not repeating... I recently replaced my bendix steering on my '68 F100 4WD with the Ford P/S (Saginaw). All the associated parts I got from a '76. Everything went fairly smoothly until I tested it out and realized my steering is backwards. (turn right to go left).

I realize that my pitman arm is on 180 degrees out - facing to the rear instead of the front... (as mentioned in the above post). Unfortunately if I rotate my pitman arm, there is no way my center link will hook up to it. (I have the type that runs from the pitman arm to the passenger side knuckle, and halfway down the inner/outer tie rod end hook to the driver's side).

My other option is to push the steering box further towards the firewall so I can spin the pitman arm around, but I have never seen a box mounted that far back, so I don't think that would be correct.

I have tried to find a machine shop that can reverse the worm gear in the box to correct it, but no one will touch it. Is there any other option? Perhaps a different type of steering linkage? I would really appreciate any help, thanks! -Meagan (Also, I am a computer invalid and I think I posted this in the wrong forum earlier, so apologies for reposting)

 

You could use the worm gear from a 2WD box and swap it into the 4WD box to have it steer correctly. There was a thread in here a few months ago (with pics) on how to do it.

Or send it to Benchwork Steering and have it corrected: steering conversion

 

Thanks! I'll start searching for that post... If I just got the 2WD box, as opposed to the 4WD, would that work? Or would it cause other problems? I used to have a 2WD F100, and I remember the box was pretty much the same (as far as physically anyway, and where the hoses attached, etc.).

 

A 2WD steering box would mount on the inside of the frame rail.

Hmm... my 4WD 73 was manual steering with the box mounted near the core support. I went integral PS using a 79 Bronco box and T-style linkages which is nearly the same as a 76 with Y-style. The steering box nuzzles up against the frame-mounted track bar bracket.

In any case, I assume you replicated the 4wd 76's mounting location and used the 76's linkages. Is that right? Doing so would not have reversed the steering.

Just a note, I believe that post you quoted may have been for a 4WD F250/F350 and he's referring to the leaf-sprung front ends and steering systems - not a coil sprung, half-ton 4x4 which works differently. Hence the usage of the terms "push-pull" whereas ours "wig-wags" like a dog's tail.

 

Everything after the knuckles up is off of a 76. I did find that article about the worm gear swap. So I'll try and find a compatible 2WD donor box and the rebuild kit. I also found a place that manufactures the 4x4x2 box with that swap already in it at West Coast Broncos. It runs a little high though... $625.

West Coast Broncos: Ported RockCrawler Power Steering Gear Box

Thanks again for the help!

 

I've done this on 3 of those boxes and its EASY! Look at their donor list for the "2wd" box (it doesn't need to come from a 2wd). I like to use the ranger or explorer boxes as they seem to get less wear. Donor box will cost you around $40 at a salvage yard, swap the worm gears & you're golden. Run one on both my early Broncos and have a spare. SUPER strong steering box & the reason us Bronco guys like to run'em.

Here's the WCB writeup on how to do it yourself!
http://www.wcb4x4.com/tech/diyrockcrawler.shtml