yet another steering question
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From: Springfield
yet another steering question
My 76 highboy is sitting on 35's right now and I don't have any plans on going bigger. I do go off road a little but nothing extreme. Maybe even a little bit of mudding as well.
Would the 78/9 power steering conversion be the best way to go? From what I can tell about this one is the pitman arm sits between the frame and the leaf springs. I don't think I'd really need to worry about the articulation issues.
Is this the same thing as the "saginaw" setup I've seen other post about or is it different?
I'm on a limited budget and the only reason i'm looking into this now because of the drag link issue I had this morning.
Would the 78/9 power steering conversion be the best way to go? From what I can tell about this one is the pitman arm sits between the frame and the leaf springs. I don't think I'd really need to worry about the articulation issues.
Is this the same thing as the "saginaw" setup I've seen other post about or is it different?
I'm on a limited budget and the only reason i'm looking into this now because of the drag link issue I had this morning.
Post Fiend
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From: Big Sky Country
But to answer your question, yes, the 78/79 steering box is the cheapest/best approach when/if the power assist gives up the ghost.
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Attachment 293054
Looks like the castle nut backed off the drag link. The cotter pin was sheared completely off. From the looks of it, whoever owned the truck before me, didn't proper care of it.
So to do the swap, I would just need a power steering gear box from a 78/9, the pitman arm and hoses? Or is there more to it?
Looks like the castle nut backed off the drag link. The cotter pin was sheared completely off. From the looks of it, whoever owned the truck before me, didn't proper care of it.
So to do the swap, I would just need a power steering gear box from a 78/9, the pitman arm and hoses? Or is there more to it?
Post Fiend
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From: Big Sky Country
That doesn't look to be a failure of the power assist system, it looks to be a simple failure of the tie-rod.
Do you want to just replace it and drive on? or do you still want to dump the whole system?
Do you want to just replace it and drive on? or do you still want to dump the whole system?
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The rod for the ram is actually bent. I thought about trying to straighten it out, but I don't know how well that will work. So i was thinking of dumping the whole "ram assist" thing
Post Fiend
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From: Big Sky Country
That's no bueno, those things are 250 bucks too (reman'd).
As for the 78/79 box, it's pretty much a direct bolt-in (with slight frame mods), most guys end up using a 2WD box, but i'd try to source a 4WD box if you can, though they're somewhat "rare" and pricey if you can even find one in a junkyard, hence why most end up going with a 2WD box.
As for the 78/79 box, it's pretty much a direct bolt-in (with slight frame mods), most guys end up using a 2WD box, but i'd try to source a 4WD box if you can, though they're somewhat "rare" and pricey if you can even find one in a junkyard, hence why most end up going with a 2WD box.
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What the difference between the 2wd and 4wd boxes? Ill call around on Tuesday. It's not gonna hurt the truck driving around without the power steering hooked up right?
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Post Fiend
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From: Big Sky Country
The 4wd box has 4 mounting bolts, the 2wd box has 3, not a huge matter but the 2wd box's sector shaft is way longer than it needs to be for a 4wd application, and has been known to break with big tires/lift.
The 4wd box is stronger and the one you want, if you can find it, but the 2wd box will work too, here's some more info on the topic...
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...-steering.html
The 4wd box is stronger and the one you want, if you can find it, but the 2wd box will work too, here's some more info on the topic...
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...-steering.html
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From: Springfield
Thanks. Will be picking it up for a cool $100. Then I gotta find a drag link. Is it only the 78/9 drag links that will work? I found a couple used ones for about $40. I'd go new, but I don't have the $90 for it right now.
Also, should I look into rebuilding the steering box before I install it or would that be a waste of time?
***edit***
I had an idea...Instead of having to buy a drag link, why couldn't I just run 2 tie rod ends hooked together via an adjusting sleeve? It would make steering adjustment really easy and it's cheaper....
Also, should I look into rebuilding the steering box before I install it or would that be a waste of time?
***edit***
I had an idea...Instead of having to buy a drag link, why couldn't I just run 2 tie rod ends hooked together via an adjusting sleeve? It would make steering adjustment really easy and it's cheaper....
