4x4 Column

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Jul 27, 2017 | 06:54 PM

petermorey

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Joined: May 2015

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From: Martensville, SK

4x4 Column

I have a quick question for anyone who knows: I've been struggling with the same steering column issue a lot of us have. I really want to use my original column out of my 66 F100, but it's starting to be more headache than I have the patience for. I've found a guy with a column out of a 76 F150 4x4. He claims the column is the same length as a 2wd, but the steering box is different. Anyone verify if this is true? i don't want to drive 2 hours to find out he's wrong. Appreciate it.

Jul 28, 2017 | 03:07 AM

OldFords4Life

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From: N.W.WYO

What is problem with your column.

Jul 28, 2017 | 09:30 AM

petermorey

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Joined: May 2015

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From: Martensville, SK

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldFords4Life

What is problem with your column.

Geez, sorry, I knew I was going to miss something important in that post. I'm converting my 66 to power steering, so I've installed the Saginaw steering box out of a 73 F100. This makes the column too long.

Jul 28, 2017 | 09:39 AM

TA455HO

Lead Gopher

Joined: Aug 2012

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From: Seattle

Is this a factory 1966 F100 4x4 or a 2WD that has been converted to 4x4? Easy way to tell is check your VIN. If if starts with F11 then (assuming the tag is original to the truck) that would indicate a factory 4x4 and if is starts with F10 then it was a factory 2WD.

Correct me if I'm wrong but the 1966 F100 4x4 steering linkage between the column and the gear box doesn't include a rag joint just a series of shafts and u-joints? I've only looked at one once for a few minutes.

Chad

.

Jul 28, 2017 | 10:34 AM

NumberDummy

Ford Parts Specialist

Joined: Nov 2006

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From: Simi Valley, CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by petermorey

but the steering box is different. Anyone verify if this is true? i don't want to drive 2 hours to find out he's wrong. Appreciate it.

P/S was not available for F100/250 4WD's until 1973.

1966 F100 4WD vs. 1976 F100 4WD: The steering columns are different. 2WD column is completely different than 4WD column.

1966/75 F100 4WD's use the same manual steering gearbox, also used on 1973/75 F100 4WD's with Power Assist P/S

1966 F100 4WD; 1967/75 F100/250 4WD have an upper steering shaft and a lower multi-piece steering shaft and coupler assy. that includes a u-joint.

This lower steering shaft and coupler connects to the input shaft of the steering gear box with a clamp and thru bolt.

1976 F100 4WD & 1976/79 F150 4WD have an upper steering shaft and a one piece lower steering shaft and coupler assy.

The lower steering shaft and coupler connects to the input shaft of the steering gear box w/a rag joint.

1976 was the first year that F100/150 4WD's were available with Ford/Saginaw integral P/S

1973/75 F100 4WD's and 1975 F100 4WD's were available with Garrison Power Assist P/S

Jul 30, 2017 | 03:17 PM

User 71024

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Joined: Sep 2005

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It's been awhile, but when I converted my 65 100 2wd to the 79 shorty 4x4 chassis, my column was too long so I had to shorten it and adapt the ujoint and shaft from the 79.;

Jul 30, 2017 | 03:42 PM

petermorey

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Joined: May 2015

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From: Martensville, SK

Quote:

Originally Posted by EricJ

It's been awhile, but when I converted my 65 100 2wd to the 79 shorty 4x4 chassis, my column was too long so I had to shorten it and adapt the ujoint and shaft from the 79.;

Thanks for the input, Eric. Did it have a steering U joint, or was it a rag joint too? I'm going to get in touch with one of members here who has a couple parts trucks and go take a look at how they work. Hopefully I can find something that's a little easier to modify.

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Jul 31, 2017 | 04:50 AM

User 71024

Cargo Master

Joined: Sep 2005

Posts: 2,954

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ND, aftermarket u-joint yokes and and shaft are readily available in most sizes from any parts house . We have a bearing shop near by that actually stocks them for PTO work.