Hi so I have been a member for a long time but just seem to always find my answers never having to post. I just got this 77 highboy a week ago. The power steering is really hard to turn sometimes it will turn left ok but most of the time neither way is easy.

I have replaced to pressure and return line.
Replaced the pump.
Still not working checked added fluid to gear box.
Ram is leaking from one side but not real bad.
Added Stopleak regervanator by Lukes.

Where do I go from here new gear box?
New valve control?
The other lines that are not leaking?

Please help thanks in advance.

 

With my 77 it didn't turn any way easy. So I just went and got a 79 f250 4x4 box and put it in.

If you really want to keep your stock power steering you could get it rebuilt through red head steering gears. Probably the ram, control and box. I know I have read on here where members rebuilt their own ram but you have to cut a weld to get it apart, and I have no idea about the parts to do it.

 

And that bolted right up? Did you order it or junk yard it? Who has them to buy?

 

No it is not a bolt up, I got it all off a 79. I got the 79 4x4 steering box, the shaft, and bought brand new drag link and 1 of the power steering lines. I'm not sure but i think you could re use your power steering pump, i didn't, i used the one for the 79. Then buy a piece of 5inch channel, flatten down the part of your frame that's bent up. Notch the crossmember 2in towards the firewall and 3in towards the center. Weld in the c channel and box in the crossmember with 1/4" plate. Drill holes to bolt up the 79 steering box. I used the drag link to kinda show where to locate the box. Oh and do some grinding on the output of your steering colum shaft. Because the 79 steering shaft has a flat spot on the bottom and the 77 dont. The hard part for me was the 79oem return line is long and ran back and forth on the xmember as a cooler. Getting that all anchored down took a bit. I'm not sure you even have to use it but i figured it was there so i did.



Put in some 5" channel.

 

Cut the crossmember and flattened the frame.




this is where I boxed the cross member in




And now I'm ready to put this in.

 

Here it is mounted.





From the inside, see the long return. It don't really fit the 77 crossmember.

 

I have heard that people have traded their ram assist system as a core with red head steering gears but I don't know for sure if they will do this from everyone. you can buy aftermarket steering shafts that are adjustable from borgeson part number 000975. the lines and drag link are pretty easy to get from any parts store. I don't know if you can buy the long return line, but it could be made from the soft flexible copper from like home depot pretty easy or get the on from the junk yard.

 

oh and don't forget the steering damper.

 

Man I wish I could do that I think that's above my level just to figure it out. Anyone live in Utah and have experience doing this?

That looks much better

 

You could always contact red head and see what it would take to have them rebuild the oem system?

 

Sounds like your control valve needs to be tuned up. Not hard at all to do, actually a very simple system. Not sure why folks are so afraid of it.

 

That's what I ended up doing kills the bank acc lol $1300 later I have new control valve and ram coming with $400 of that core.

 

Dang yeah that's alot, I would be curious to know how well it works out for you. Keep us posted!

 

I will for sure