Hey all,

My name is Adam. I have been looking for a 59 f100 4x4 for about 7 years off and on and finally found one. I purchased it about a month and a half ago. Like with any project went through and cleaned and gutted everything. I decoded the vin and it had a Special Order but of course I'll never know what that was unless I can find out who the original owner was. I found out the engine is a 390 FE block from a 61 Thunderbird. So I went through and rewired the whole truck from scratch and got everything working electrically. Cleaned out and replaced the entire fuel system and that's when I found The massive 3/8 steel rear bumper is a reserve gas tank, haha. I will be starting it this week and getting it running steady (its already started a few times but not run for long) I have already rebuilt the brakes on the front and rear axle as well. I will be starting to get into the suspension in the next week or two and have questions. (sorry for the long rant)

- My steering box, though manual, is ridiculously clunky and bad. Should I replace it, rebuild it, or change it to power steering? What are my options as I am wanting to run 33 or 35 by 12.5 tires?

- Does anyone have any info on flipping the Ford 9" rear end so the output is on top instead of the bottom?

 

Here is where it is. I will post pics later of the engine now and the interior. See that crazy reserve tank rear bumper!?

 

If you plan to run 12.5s, power steering is probably a good idea. In good shape and stock form, they drive pretty well. If you need big tires for going off road, that's fine. If you are just doing it for looks and it's mainly a pavement pounder. there's a lot to give up over narrower tires, well pretty much everything but looks. These old trucks will cup front tires if the tread is aggressive. If you haven't driven manual steering much, it takes a different technique. You do all your turning while the truck is in motion.
My 59 is all stock and I love it just like it is. It's now my daily driver.

 

Neat looking truck. I wouldn't recommend having gas in that rear bumper. Sounds like a good way to burn up in a wreck. Welcome to the forum.

 

Check out CPP 400 steering boxes. It's a direct replacement power steering box that make things much easier. As long as you don't have/use the column shifter, it should fit and work great with minimal fabrication on your end.

 

Not a bad price on those steering boxes. I have to book mark that. I want taller tires to get my rpms down but everything 35 inches tall is too wide to muscle around with manual steering.