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I am wanting to upgrade to power steering on my '68 F100. I have found a '78 F150 donor truck, but want to know what issues I should be prepared for. Will this even work between the '68 and '78? Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Get everything including the steering column. Since you are changing to power steering are you also going to the 78's disc brakes? If so get that entire system as well, meaning the booster, proportioning valve.
The Thompson power steering pump (stamped steel reservoir) was produced from 1965-1977 for all Ford engines.
Example of a Thompson 'pencil neck' PS pump.
The Ford C-2 PS pump (plastic reservoir) went into use in 1978 through about 2003. I don't know what engine you have but, the FE engine was phased out of production by the end of '76 so, there won't be any factory brackets to install a C-2 pump on an FE engine. Pumps/brackets between the Thompson and C-2 pumps aren't interchangeable.
Example of a Ford C-2 PS pump on my truck with a 240.
Thanks to both of you. I am planning to buy the entire donor truck and get everything that I can from it. I had just added a brand new power brake boost and master cylinder.
What work will need to be done to make the steering column work in the '68? Won't I need to make some adjustments to the wiring?
Thanks to both of you. I am planning to buy the entire donor truck and get everything that I can from it. I had just added a brand new power brake boost and master cylinder.
What work will need to be done to make the steering column work in the '68? Won't I need to make some adjustments to the wiring?
Matt, What engine does your truck have? All of the ps equipped trucks have a power steering pump, but the pump mount brackets must be the same for your trucks engine. If your truck has an FE 352/360/390 engine the donor year stops at 76. You can use the 78 if you have a 300 6 or 302.
When converting my '68 F250 4x4 to P/S, I found that Ford also used the Saginaw, "Canned Ham" pump in the Econolines. ND actually found 3 dealerships, which still each had the mounts, and they sent all to San Diego for me. That was for my 300 though. Most of the P/S swaps involve some saw, fab, & weld but nothing too elaborate. Plenty have done it, you can too. Lots of help here.
