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I am new to the forum. I just purchased a 54 f100 pickup that had been sitting for a couple years. It has a 223 six cylinder engine with tree on the column and manual steering. I bought the truck for my wife and she has a real problem turning the wheel. I have lubed everything and since it had a hugge amout of play in the steering I tightened the steering box. Does anyone have any suggestions to make it steer any easier? thanks in advance for any help!
Carl! Welcome to the forum! And I think you're going to get quite a few women jealous that you bought your wife the '54. More of us will have to step up to the plate now.
You're now in the midst of some serious Ford "Enthusiasts." Someone will be along shortly to help you with your steering issue.
These old trucks had "Armstrong" steering. You can check everything but don't be surprised if that is the way it is. Tell her you are doing her a favor because driving the truck will keep her from getting "bye bye arms" . (This what you face will look like when she slaps the crap out of you)
I am not the one to take you thru it, however, the best option is probably to go the Toyota power steering box. A number of guys on the forum have done it, AX can help you thru what is necessary.
That's a nice truck. I saw it on my local Craigslist for a while. You probably already did this... But if you jack both front tires off the ground does the steering still feel stiff? Also how wide are your front tires?
Good luck with it. But you might be looking for a P/S conversion.
Welcome to the forum! If you "adjusted" the steering box incorrectly, you can do more harm than good and actually cause the conditions you're speaking of, not to mention create a condition in which your box could destroy itself. I'd recommend going back to the beginning and make sure what you've done is right before jumping to any conclusions.
When Ford first started offering power assisted steering (used a hydraulic ram cylinder on the otherwise stock front end) The promoted it in their ads with a statement that would not be considered PC today: "Now the little woman can drive it too!" or words close to that.
Unfortunately old tightfisted Henry continue to use the 1930's design steering box on his trucks well into the 60s since he considered them vehicles for the working man. As said the stock steering can be made tolerable, but you will never be able to "palm" the wheel to turn without converting to power steering. The good news is the most popular methods of doing this really can make it drive like a modern day model pickup or SUV. First you have to decide if you want to retain the stock beam front axle (there is nothing basically Wrong with it) and spring suspension and swap in a power steering box and pump, or if you want to go all out and replace the whole shebang with an Independent Front Suspension (shortened to IFS) like most modern day passenger cars and some light trucks use. This is not a decision to be made lightly, there is some significant costs and time involved in each, but the IFS can get quite expensive to do, requires advanced mechanical and welding skills to do and can take on average 3-8 months of down time to complete. A large part of that decision will depend not only on your wallet, but also how the truck is to be used.
You said it was your wife's truck. Is she going to drive it as her main vehicle (daily driver) or just on free days/weekends for pleasure? Is she going to drive it mostly around town where it will need to be easily maneuvered/driven in traffic or will it be used mostly for cruising the open highways for several hours at a time? Will it be used "like a truck" for hauling, driving over rough or no roads?
Here's a link to an article I co-wrote sometime back on upgrading the steering with emphasis on swapping in a Toyota truck power steering box, since I had just completed the swap on my own truck and was very pleased with the ease of doing it and the resulting improvement: Toyota Steering Box Swap For 1948-1960 Trucks - Ford-Trucks.com There is some new info and options that came along since I wrote that, including an all newly manufactured power steering box that is a viable option now that the used Toy boxes have started to become harder to find and more expensive. "Rebuilt" Toy boxes are out there in the big box auto parts suppliers, but they are ridiculously expensive IMHO when the most that has been done is to replace the two shaft seals and slap a coat of paint on it, and then they charge 1/2 again as much "core charge" if you don't supply another box in exchange, heck if you already had another box you wouldn't NEED to exchange it, they hardly ever wear out! If you want to pursue any of these options, feel free to continue asking any further questions you might have. This a friendly helpful place, and there is no question considered stupid or silly. However if the answer has been posted many times before you might get the suggestion to do an advanced search or be given a link to a previous discussion. that is not a blow off, but sometimes we get tired of typing the same thing over and over and start leaving out some possibly important information.
When Ford first started offering power assisted steering (used a hydraulic ram cylinder on the otherwise stock front end) The promoted it in their ads with a statement that would not be considered PC today: "Now the little woman can drive it too!" or words close to that.
Unfortunately old tightfisted Henry continue to use the 1930's design steering box on his trucks well into the 60s since he considered them vehicles for the working man. As said the stock steering can be made tolerable, but you will never be able to "palm" the wheel to turn without converting to power steering. The good news is the most popular methods of doing this really can make it drive like a modern day model pickup or SUV. First you have to decide if you want to retain the stock beam front axle (there is nothing basically Wrong with it) and spring suspension and swap in a power steering box and pump, or if you want to go all out and replace the whole shebang with an Independent Front Suspension (shortened to IFS) like most modern day passenger cars and some light trucks use. This is not a decision to be made lightly, there is some significant costs and time involved in each, but the IFS can get quite expensive to do, requires advanced mechanical and welding skills to do and can take on average 3-8 months of down time to complete. A large part of that decision will depend not only on your wallet, but also how the truck is to be used.
You said it was your wife's truck. Is she going to drive it as her main vehicle (daily driver) or just on free days/weekends for pleasure? Is she going to drive it mostly around town where it will need to be easily maneuvered/driven in traffic or will it be used mostly for cruising the open highways for several hours at a time? Will it be used "like a truck" for hauling, driving over rough or no roads?
Here's a link to an article I co-wrote sometime back on upgrading the steering with emphasis on swapping in a Toyota truck power steering box, since I had just completed the swap on my own truck and was very pleased with the ease of doing it and the resulting improvement: Toyota Steering Box Swap For 1948-1960 Trucks - Ford-Trucks.com There is some new info and options that came along since I wrote that, including an all newly manufactured power steering box that is a viable option now that the used Toy boxes have started to become harder to find and more expensive. "Rebuilt" Toy boxes are out there in the big box auto parts suppliers, but they are ridiculously expensive IMHO when the most that has been done is to replace the two shaft seals and slap a coat of paint on it, and then they charge 1/2 again as much "core charge" if you don't supply another box in exchange, heck if you already had another box you wouldn't NEED to exchange it, they hardly ever wear out! If you want to pursue any of these options, feel free to continue asking any further questions you might have. This a friendly helpful place, and there is no question considered stupid or silly. However if the answer has been posted many times before you might get the suggestion to do an advanced search or be given a link to a previous discussion. that is not a blow off, but sometimes we get tired of typing the same thing over and over and start leaving out some possibly important information.
Thanks for the usefull information. I thought that I might have to go with a conversion. The steering was quite sloppy when I got it. That is why I tightened the steering box. It took alot of the play out but still not to my satisfaction. I will probably change the box along with the power steering.
Do you know if the toy conversion is the best or can you use a newer f150 (99)? I have access to a doner vehicle.
For what its worth, my thoughts. Fortunately I was around when these were new.
"They did not act or steer like that. Play detective and find the problem. Spring sag
front spring perch's bottomed out. Steering box not centered. Of course King Pins.
I have several F6 to F8's and can steer with one finger, because the geometry is
correct, as long as you are moving - not stopped. Any good trucker even now,
does not turn the wheel unless moving & with power steering. If you tighten the
sector screw, and seems to get better, but now harder, looks like sector bushings
are worn. At mid position that sector screw should just "nick" the sector shaft
not pressurizing it.... sam
I was going to say, the steering isn't bad at all when moving if it's setup right and lubed. It takes a bit of finesse. Those not used to moving first, then steer, will not fare well. With three on the tree, it's going to put soccer mom in Task Overload territory Tire type and proper tire inflation makes a tremendous difference.
I actually prefer manual steering from the standpoint of maintenance and reliability, and it's also very quiet - it's definitely part of the charm of a simple, reliable truck, tooling down a dirt road it isn't noticeable and is truly "one finger" steering. Just keep fingers out of the wheel spokes!
All you ******* are ruining all these nice old trucks btw, with your fancy transmissions and P/S! (kidding)
I wouldn't suggest buying a vintage pickup for someone without them trying it out first, though? What were you thinking??
Hello and welcome . Get yourself a Ford truck service manual , try Amazon , Macs antique auto , Carpenter's etc. It will show you all the lube points and adjustment procedures . Have your wife practice parking with the vehicle in motion even al small amount of forward /reverse motion greatly reduces the steering effort .
I was going to say, the steering isn't bad at all when moving if it's setup right and lubed. It takes a bit of finesse. Those not used to moving first, then steer, will not fare well. With three on the tree, it's going to put soccer mom in Task Overload territory Tire type and proper tire inflation makes a tremendous difference.
I actually prefer manual steering from the standpoint of maintenance and reliability, and it's also very quiet - it's definitely part of the charm of a simple, reliable truck, tooling down a dirt road it isn't noticeable and is truly "one finger" steering. Just keep fingers out of the wheel spokes!
All you ******* are ruining all these nice old trucks btw, with your fancy transmissions and P/S! (kidding)
I wouldn't suggest buying a vintage pickup for someone without them trying it out first, though? What were you thinking??
She did try it out and I told her I had my doubts about her being able to drive it....she wanted the truck!
Good for her!
To answer your questions: No the later Ford steering box will not work. Most later vehicles used a cross link steering arrangement, Ours use a drag link setup. There are a number of advantages of converting the truck to PS and a few disadvantages as well as two major ways to do it.
advantages: ease of steering is #1. #2 can use a smaller diameter steering wheel allowing a selection from a wide range of aftermarket wheels. This gives a later vehicle feel/appearance, more space in cab. #3 possible use of a tilt column to get away from the "bus driver" wheel position to a more upright passenger car position. #4 Does away with the often worn out very old technology OEM steering box and it's associated maintenance. #5 allow the use of wider, lower profile modern tires.
Disadvantages: 1. requires installation of an engine driven power steering pump. This can be easy/inexpensive to difficult/expensive depending on engine. 2. requires replacement with aftermarket column or significant modifications to OEM steering column since OEM column is integral with OEM steering box. 3. Cutting the OEM column off box to use also cuts off horn button function, requiring a non standard remote horn button switch or an additional modification to column. 4. May require moving shifter to floor.
Rebuilt OEM steering boxes are available as are DIY rebuild kits, both options are a little pricey but can improve steering significantly if OEM box is worn (likely since they were seldom serviced as would have been required to reduce wear). If the rest of steering/suspension/tires all are in excellent condition, and alignment properly set (NOT to original specs!).
Two major ways to have power steering is:
1. do the Toyota PS box swap as discussed in previous link. If you can locate a used box from the right years and model for < 125.-150.00 then this is IMHO the best option. Mid Fifty Home - Mid Fifty F-100 Parts sell conversion kits for this install. The Toy boxes are getting a little harder to find and prices are going up. A unmolested used box is OK they were practically bulletproof. This conversion works like it was made for it/should have been there in the first place.
2. before buying an expensive "rebuilt" Toy box for >300.00 and up plus conversion kit, The CPP/mid Fifty newly manufactured power steering box is a better choice at that point. This is a brand new freshly manufactured box with warantee, bolts into original frame holes without the need of a conversion mount, comes with the needed conversion pitman arm, PS hoses (? I think). Still requires same steering column mods/replacement as Toy box, engine mounted PS pump.
I assume you really don't know condition of front end at this point? Check my post on diagnosing condition here (post #11): https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...licks-etc.html
And I think you're going to get quite a few women jealous that you bought your wife the '54. More of us will have to step up to the plate now.
(This what you face will look like when she slaps the crap out of you)
