Hello everyone . I have finally found the time to get back to my project that began about 1990. I installed a 1976 mercury rear steer clip to the chassis of my 1953 f100 in about 1990. I realize there are better options today but this is what I have. project is moving along fine Many hours of metal replacement to cab but it is now installed on the chassis. I noticed the steering box isn't going to line up very well with the steering column. I am wondering if there is anybody that has some info on what column to buy or find and whatever else might be needed to make this work. I understand this was a common conversion back in the day so there must be a way to get these parts to align. I am sure this has probably been discussed the past but not being familiar with the site I was not able to find any info.
Thanks RH

 

Putting up pictures would help, 30 inch column is usually used ..76 Mercury clip but what model Mercury..??

 

Hey RH
Welcome Back! If you can show us a picture of your truck & the
steering linkage issue you are having....we may have some ideas for you.
I've got a pretty complicated steering set up in our '50 F1 but it works.
I'm sure there is a solution for you up there in BC.

Ben in Austin
1950 F1

 

Thanks. The clip is from a 1976 Mercury Grand Marquis. I don't have anything set up for steering at this point. I have the stock column from the mercury but that's not looking too promising. The flange on the steering box is the stock flange but I think that can be changed. The box is laying at about a 20 degree angle to the frame and about 3 inches off alignment to the outside. A little low for the column angle. I will try to get some pics up. Not sure how but I guess I will add that to the learning curve.
RH

 

On my panel truck the steering box is forward and to the outside of the frame, it's built on a 72 chev c10 chassis. I used 2 U-joints and a D shaft.

 

Without pictures it is hard to visualize your problem. But John is right, many of us have used a 30" column. Mine came from Flaming River and utilizes two U-joints connected by a D shaft that you can cut to any length. You can see it below the white remote master cylinder reservoir in the below picture. These joints allow you to connect the shafts despite odd angles. If you are not too far off you could also use a rag joint but it require a bit more horizontal room.





-

 

Thanks 56. My biggest concern is the distance between the steering box and the cab. Because the steering box is so close to the cab it appears I will have to go inside the cab to get the angle on the shaft for the u joint to work properly. This was a common conversion in the 80s so there must be a lot of them around. I am wondering what others did to compensate for this problem. Thanks I appreciate your help. I did this reply earlier but it did not show up. Perhaps operator error.
RH

 

Thanks Pete. Nice pic. It looks like you didn't have much space either. I have seen these set ups with some pretty radical angles on the connecting shafts. I am sure I can get it to work. I really don't want to have to go into the cab but may not have a choice. Thanks for everyones reply.
RH

 

I believe one of the forum members has a similar frt end clip in a 56. His member name is Smallello ( not sure if the spelling is correct. I kinda remember
him having a similar issue. I will try to find his post about it. No guarantee though..lol

 

Found it, but his clip is a 70 LTD, not sure if it is the same.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...alignment.html

 

There is a floor mount that moves the column inside maybe an inch. '53 F100 Steering Column Floor Mount



-

 

Thanks everyone for the replies. You have all been a great help. I think I have enough info now to move forward. Any new info would still be greatly appreciated. I will keep checking for awhile. Now it is off to the parts store to get the bits and pieces to make this work. I will try to post some progress pics and completion pics as I go along. I have lots of other things on the to do list that require immediate attention. (yard work and a couple other toys.) so not too sure when I will get back to the truck. I have moved it to the top of the list, so every spare moment will be on the truck. I would like to get it finished before I am too old to drive. Thanks again
RH