steering box: why replace?
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 826
Likes: 21
From: Golden, CO
steering box: why replace?
2 questions:
what's the advantage of the popular toyota (manual) gearbox swap over the stock box?
is the stock box user-serviceable? that is, can i rebuild it myself? looks like some vendors get a pretty penny for one.
thanks.
what's the advantage of the popular toyota (manual) gearbox swap over the stock box?
is the stock box user-serviceable? that is, can i rebuild it myself? looks like some vendors get a pretty penny for one.
thanks.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 794
Likes: 120
From: Behind the wheel, IN
Here's one thread about rebuilding the stock steering box:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...e-rebuild.html
I can think of two reasons people switch to power steering.
* They plan to run wider than stock tires, which makes manual steering more difficult. I believe the general consensus is that you don't want to go wider than 235 with the stock box.
* They want to use a smaller diameter steering wheel, which reduces the amount of leverage available and can make low speed steering difficult.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...e-rebuild.html
I can think of two reasons people switch to power steering.
* They plan to run wider than stock tires, which makes manual steering more difficult. I believe the general consensus is that you don't want to go wider than 235 with the stock box.
* They want to use a smaller diameter steering wheel, which reduces the amount of leverage available and can make low speed steering difficult.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 2,075
Likes: 101
From: Marana, Arizona
Some people don't think power steering is really needed with these trucks. I have read somewhere the Toyota manual box is an easy fit and gives quicker steering. Less steering wheel rotations stop to stop. Supposedly less effort compared to stock box.
Plus easy to swap in aftermarket column and easy to go with a power box if they decide to later.
All what I read somewhere, I haven't done it myself.
Plus easy to swap in aftermarket column and easy to go with a power box if they decide to later.
All what I read somewhere, I haven't done it myself.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,297
Likes: 1,059
From: NM
There are few situations in my driving where PS would be nice, chiefly parking in tight quarters. I just don't do that much. I have fairly wide tires, too. (P235) At highway speeds, I wouldn't want faster steering, seems like it could get you in trouble.
I reset the clearances in my box and it's rock solid. I can take my hands off the wheel at 60 mph if it's a smooth road and it will track straight for miles.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 2,075
Likes: 101
From: Marana, Arizona
The only other reason I can think of to use a manual Toyota box is if the original is too far gone to fix economically and the Toyota is cheaper than finding and shipping a stock box and column.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,297
Likes: 1,059
From: NM
Note also that the Toy boxes that work are around 30 yrs old, and off 4x4's. What are the chances they're in pristine shape as-found?
Trending Topics
FTE fan
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,674
Likes: 11
From: paradise, northern calif.
I have never regretted rebuilding my stock steering, it drives fine as long as I don't do a lot of parallel parking, (then I would go power steering for sure). I'm not a purist , but I do like keeping my truck fairly close to stock. Rebuilding the stock box was not hard with a little research there is even a small book available on the subject at the usual supplier's. The only thing I had trouble with was getting the pin out of the sector shaft to replace the gear. I ended up reusing the old sector gear as it showed no wear and works fine. As far as the shaft and worm gear, you can still buy them as a unit if you like, or you can press off and on the new worm gear which are also available by itself. So IMPO it's up to you and how you want your truck to drive. I love the feel of the original set up minus drive train. Other s like a smooth modern drive, while others like pure stock bumper to bumper as it came off the assembly line. So it's up to you there are several choices you could make, once you do your homework and you will be ok. As always the FTE guys will always help where they can. Whatever you do I know you will enjoy the process.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Knuckle Bandage Sales Rep
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,677
Likes: 1,248
From: Maine
Around here, all our roads are so potholed, frost-heaved, twisty and poorly crowned that even a new car will only go about 60 yards before being in the other lane - or the ditch with no hands.
I have fairly tight steering (all stock) on the F2 and take my hands off the wheel - never. I do use a brody **** and that helps with the slow speed manuevers.
Soon I'll have the F3 project stripped down to the frame and will have to decide on whether or not to upgrade the steering. Pros and cons for sure.
Tom
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 826
Likes: 21
From: Golden, CO
thanks for the replies.
first & foremost, i need to be budget conscious. was surprised (being new to all of this) that a rebuilt box from CH is $550 + $100 core.
that is a good point about the condition of any donor toy boxes from that era.
so, how do i know if my stock unit is okay? i will say that since i've removed it (to have frame blasted) it is leaking now (where it wasn't before in it's installed state/orientation). should i just drain it and pop it open and take a look around?
i'll explore the link above, thanks.
first & foremost, i need to be budget conscious. was surprised (being new to all of this) that a rebuilt box from CH is $550 + $100 core.
that is a good point about the condition of any donor toy boxes from that era.
so, how do i know if my stock unit is okay? i will say that since i've removed it (to have frame blasted) it is leaking now (where it wasn't before in it's installed state/orientation). should i just drain it and pop it open and take a look around?
i'll explore the link above, thanks.
Believe Nothing
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 7,516
Likes: 401
From: W. Central FL.
thanks for the replies.
first & foremost, i need to be budget conscious. was surprised (being new to all of this) that a rebuilt box from CH is $550 + $100 core.
that is a good point about the condition of any donor toy boxes from that era.
so, how do i know if my stock unit is okay? i will say that since i've removed it (to have frame blasted) it is leaking now (where it wasn't before in it's installed state/orientation). should i just drain it and pop it open and take a look around?
i'll explore the link above, thanks.
first & foremost, i need to be budget conscious. was surprised (being new to all of this) that a rebuilt box from CH is $550 + $100 core.
that is a good point about the condition of any donor toy boxes from that era.
so, how do i know if my stock unit is okay? i will say that since i've removed it (to have frame blasted) it is leaking now (where it wasn't before in it's installed state/orientation). should i just drain it and pop it open and take a look around?
i'll explore the link above, thanks.
If it is leaking lubricant, that is a good sign.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Damifiknow
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
10
Mar 11, 2012 10:30 AM
honda_man_300ex
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
1
Sep 8, 2010 07:29 PM
HT32BSX115
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
8
Oct 31, 2005 01:23 PM