Manual steering conversion
More Turbo
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 566
Likes: 5
From: SC
Manual steering conversion
My only guess would be the salvage yards. Very, very few 80's F series had manual steering. The only one I've ever seen was an 80 F100 SWB stripped down, absolute bottom of the line truck. I've seen one or two in early 80's Rangers too. Even the cheapest of Rangers usually had power steering, even if no other options.
The power steering gearboxes fit from 1980-1996, F100's. F150's,F250's, and F350's. The only difference is the pitman arms and some early 80's trucks had a different hose fitting. The Ranger trucks and Explorers also bolt right up from 83 until they started using rack and pinions (about 95 I think). As long as you use your original pitman arm.
That said, I find it hard to believe you want a manual. An F250 is a heavy truck and having a big block will make it that much harder to steer. Given that any of the above boxes are widely available in the junkyards ($65 around here), I too have to ask-why?
The power steering gearboxes fit from 1980-1996, F100's. F150's,F250's, and F350's. The only difference is the pitman arms and some early 80's trucks had a different hose fitting. The Ranger trucks and Explorers also bolt right up from 83 until they started using rack and pinions (about 95 I think). As long as you use your original pitman arm.
That said, I find it hard to believe you want a manual. An F250 is a heavy truck and having a big block will make it that much harder to steer. Given that any of the above boxes are widely available in the junkyards ($65 around here), I too have to ask-why?
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New User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Manual steering conversion
I just want the alternator hanging in front of the engine only. I had an early ford truck without power, and you get used to it. I'm in the process of lightening the truck, I'm starting with 5,000 pounds, and I'm looking to get it down to 4,000. I found a place years ago that had rebuilt manual boxes, but I lost their number. Thanks for the replies, but if anybody knows of a place.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 899
Likes: 0
From: Whately, Ma
Manual steering conversion
Try Jeff's Bronco Graveyard in Michigan. Just do a search and the number will come up. Also, Ibeling Repair Service in Iowa might have a few, although he specializes in manual-to-power conversions. His # (319) 347-2491.
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Finally got around to it
Well, I finally got around to converting my truck to manual. I have 31 tall by 10.5 wide tires on it. The steering is not really that bad. I found the manual steering box in a 1980 F100 six cylinder. I used the stock pitman arm from the manual box. It bolted right up. I used a 33-inch long 1/2-inch wide V-Belt to go to the crank pulley air conditioning pulley (I removed the A/C) to the water pump pulley. So far I got the truck down to 4,350 pounds. It's stripped down.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,823
Likes: 43
From: New York
Yes, I'm replying to a 13 year-old message. 
Just to correct the above statement, manual steering was offered in the Ranger through 1997. Less and less common in the 90's, but still offered until the change to the I-beam suspension in 1998.
Just to correct the above statement, manual steering was offered in the Ranger through 1997. Less and less common in the 90's, but still offered until the change to the I-beam suspension in 1998.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,823
Likes: 43
From: New York
Yes, fast typing leads to mistakes. I meant, "through 1998 when the twin I-beam front suspension (similar to the F-series) was replaced by the wishbone-style system found on the Explorer."
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 5,006
Likes: 72
From: Roseville, MN
This doesn't really matter, as long as everyone understands each other communication works. But there's no such thing as a twin I beam 4WD front end. I beams are solid chunks of metal that have a cross section shaped like the letter "I". No way to get a drive axle through it. When Ford made a front drive axle with geometry similar to that if their Twin I Beam (2WD) front suspension they called it "Twin Traction Beam" (now usually abbreviated TTB). Again, it doesn't really matter, except if someone gets confused when you talk about a 4WD vehicle with a 2WD front end.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 5,006
Likes: 72
From: Roseville, MN
I'm pretty sure he's talking about the Ranger pickup (not an F-series with the "Ranger" trim package), before it switched from Twin Traction Beam to the later style (wishbone, I guess, I never paid much attention to trucks newer than 96/97)
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