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I greatly understand this has been asked and answered several times but I'm at my wits end and for the sanctity of my mental health, I'm taking this shortcut get as much info as possible in the shortest amount of time.
This involves the power steering conversion on a '66 300 3spd and the joker that performed the work screwed up everything. It's a long story and not worth rehashing but he didn't use the info I sent him about the conversion.
This leaves me looking for a complete replacement or all of the parts to rebuild the column. We're desperately trying to avoid converting this to a floor shift and hope that someone out there can help re-provide any info or link(s) regarding this.
Finally and just so this doesn't have to get posted later...... if anyone could also provide info about where I can get a shifter and shortened column to convert to floor shift just in case we can't repair the original parts.
Thanks for the patience and help with this question.
Not clear from description what " the joker screwed everything up"? Sounds like a Ford steering box has been installed and now down to coming up w/ a solution for the steering column, the components to rebuild the column are available, not sure if it's possible to shorten the shift tube perhaps a tube from a later column would work?? Another option would be to swap out columns for a later model, seem to recall member mentioning he/she swapped out the column brackets that mount to the dash and consequently did not need to use spacer; if I were to go this route probly check what is involved going w/ tilt wheel. Imagine there are other issues w/ swapping to later model; steering shaft spline at rag joint and steering wheel, turn signal modification, etc., perhaps member familiar w/ the swap will chime in?? There's the aftermarket option which involves taking measurements and order to fit. Likely read few articles on shortening steering column, there's 1 in the 67-72 Fordification Forum I found fairly informative, believe columns similar to the 65-66 but need to do the research. Anyhow, had an urge to add my $.02, perhaps some food for thought.
I once looked into shortening the column of the 3-speed in my '66.
No go, due to the inability to do so safely.
It was one of the motivations to convert from a stick to an automatic. (I used a C6 transmission, and a '68-'72 automatic column for power steering.)
When converting to power steering in a truck with a column 3-speed shifter, you need the very hard to find 3-speed column made for the Ford PS box - at least that is the best option of all.
If all you need is a new or replacement column, then a column 3-speed shouldn't be too hard to find. Parts are also available to rebuild what you have.
I would suggest you contact a good friend of mine that lives in NC near the NC-VA line. I don't know how close you are, but he may be able to help. He deals in Ford trucks and parts, and can recommend the best options for you. He rebuilds 3-speed columns, I believe.
His name is Tom. Tell him Banjo sent you.
Not clear from description what " the joker screwed everything up"? Sounds like a Ford steering box has been installed and now down to coming up w/ a solution for the steering column, the components to rebuild the column are available, not sure if it's possible to shorten the shift tube perhaps a tube from a later column would work?? Another option would be to swap out columns for a later model, seem to recall member mentioning he/she swapped out the column brackets that mount to the dash and consequently did not need to use spacer; if I were to go this route probly check what is involved going w/ tilt wheel. Imagine there are other issues w/ swapping to later model; steering shaft spline at rag joint and steering wheel, turn signal modification, etc., perhaps member familiar w/ the swap will chime in?? There's the aftermarket option which involves taking measurements and order to fit. Likely read few articles on shortening steering column, there's 1 in the 67-72 Fordification Forum I found fairly informative, believe columns similar to the 65-66 but need to do the research. Anyhow, had an urge to add my $.02, perhaps some food for thought.
Sorry, lights are on but nobody home; although, not sure if would make a difference when it comes to shortening the column, forgot wez be talking about a 1962??
Good point - A '62 or a '66?
I thought he has a '66, from the body of the post.
If I misunderstood, then anything I said doesn't apply.
John, you are correct, my comments in note #2 were in response to the body of the post, apparently somehow later related 'oldschool 1962' to the year of the truck. Now understand why the family has threatened to purchase an I.D. bracelet for me in the event authorities find me wondering.
wouldn't a 3 on the tree column out of a ps equipped 67-79 be the easiest fix here? bolt in w/minor mods?
Yes, that is the best option, especially '68-'72, because, as you point out, it is almost a perfect bolt-in and looks just like the '65\'66.
Unfortunately, a '68-'72 3 speed column for power steering is the rarest of all.
In the decade I spent looking for one, I never found one. Found one or two '73-'79, but they had been destroyed beyond repair by previous owners.
Thanks for the replies. I'll look into contacting Tom and see what he can help with. I'll keep looking into things and hope we can get this taken care of without having to drop the money on a ididit product. Probably some really nice options but not the route we wanted to take.
Something is even telling me it's going to be cheaper to find a Top loader 4spd and make the conversion that way. That's about the only way I've found that keeps a Ford column in the truck...(again an ididit product) but maybe there's more floor shift pwr steering columns available than 3peed?
Hi OS62, Im still in the planning and parts gathering stage for upgrading my 65 F100 to PS, PB. My truck has a 4 spd but it originally came with a 3 on the tree. I too wanted to bring mine back to the original column shift but it doesnt look like that's in the cards for me. Im in Alaska and cant find a 3 speed trans to put in it. But as you've discovered, the steering column conundrum puts the kibosh on our plans.
Ive about decided to just plan for an Auto Trans conversion along with the PB and PS conversions. Then I can hopefully use the column from my 79 donor truck.
These guys wont steer you wrong (Pun intended). Search my posts and their replies if you want to read up on the advice they gave me.
Been struggling with this for a couple weeks now and discovering too many issues. One that relates to this was pointed out by Tom at Flashback 100's. He mentioned a most dangerous situation since the column was not bolted in the truck to firewall and no clamp holding the bracket either. He also mentioned something about what is holding the shaft in center? It's an uncomfortable feeling when you learn that in the case of a front end crash, depending on impact, death can occur due to the fact column is not bolted in and can go through you. Based on this we've decided to file a warrant in debt against the joker. We may not see dime one but it'll give us the satisfaction we did something. Won't make spending the extra coin any easier but it's able to be justified now.
I did learn the steering box is from a 70-79 and found a couple 73-79 trucks. Will be checking them out if the owners would be willing to part them out. Don't need a whole truck so we'll see. Last ditch effort will be a column from IDIDIT an d a conversion to floor shift. Auto is out of the question and we're still debating the use of a GM column since we can't keep the stock steering wheel. If that's decided, at least we can keep the 3 on a tree.
Just for giggles, here's a before and after picture of the truck. I will admit it does look nice but in this case it's not the main problem. There's issues you can see but it's the one's you can't that get me.
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.
