Hey all, long time lurker here posting for the first time. My 14 year old son and I are working on restoring a 1976 F100 Custom 2WD Long Bed with the 3 spd Manual (column) and a 302. I've been able to source a Saginaw PS gearbox, Thompson pump, and all of the hoses. However, I'm not sure what to do about my stock length column, which is too long for the Saginaw PS gearbox. I've already confirmed that I can still get the PS column mounting plate/collar and steering column from the truck I pulled the gearbox from. It's a 1976 F100 302 automatic. My question is will the shorter steering shaft from the auto column fit in my manual column? If so, will the shorter shaft alone be enough to gain clearance for the gearbox, or will I need to do some trimming? I was trying to avoid welding if possible, as my welding skills are pretty amateur. I tried sourcing a 2WD manual shift power steering column that will fit, but it must be a rare beast. Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks,
Craig

 

90 views, and no replies, so I'm guessing it hasn't been done before. I didn't get a chance to pull the power steering column this weekend, as the owner wasn't available. I'll let everyone know how the manual to power steering shaft swap goes after I get a chance to pull it.

 

To be honest, I don't know if it will work or not but my "gut instinct" is it won't. The bottom of the column has "detents" in it for the shift arms and shortening the column will interfere with that. Then there's the whole shift tube issue. That would also need to be shortened.
Unless you're going for stock originality, what about a floor shift conversion?
And yes, manual 3spd with power steering is a rare animal. People who got three speed trucks were usually cheap.

 

My $.02

Have 79 F150, 3spd column, manual steering. Looked into converting it to power (like to teach nieces and nephews how to drive manual), ended up leaving it as is. As you are seeing, not drop in.

I saw a post few years back from someone who did it......

searching......

 

Thanks guys. I may elect to go with a floor shift conversion if it proves to be more trouble than what it's worth to convert the manual column. I'm able to get the auto power steering column for $50, so it's worth at least evaluating the parts though. I have to do a turn signal sensor replacement anyway, as the horn has quit working. Pulling the column itself doesn't appear to be too much work now that I have the gearbox out. I'll update with pics once I have everything.

 

Just to let you know, a REAL common problem with the horn not working is the steering column loses it's ground.
The way the horn works is through a relay and the horn button grounds the relay to make the horn beep. The most common problem is the rag joint. When this is the problem, people usually fabricate a jumper wire at the rag joint to re-establish the electrical bond.

 

Good info Mike! I'll be sure to test that before I replace the switch itself. So to update everyone, I was able to get lucky... in the F100 sense anyway! I found the unicorn I was looking for, and will be taking delivery in the near future of a rebuilt stock 3 on the tree column made for power steering! Not exactly cheap compared to the $50 auto column I had found, but it still ended up being slightly cheaper than the floor conversion. I'll be sure to post pics of the install. Stay tuned!

 

D3TZ-3514-R .. Mast Jacket (Steering Column Shroud) - Use with 3 M/T & P/S / Obsolete

1974 F100/250 2WD from serial number U60,001; 1975/76 F100/250 2WD
-----
D3TZ-3524-D .. Steering Shaft-Use with P/S except 1978/79 with tilt wheel - 33 3/8" long / Obsolete

1973 F100/250 2WD & F350 from serial number S40,001 / 1974/79 F100/250 2WD & F350 (1979 F350 2WD).
-----
D5TZ-3A525-A .. Steering Coupler (rag joint)-Use with P/S / Obsolete

1975/77 F100/250 2WD & F350 / 1976/79 F100/150 4WD
-----
D3TZ-7212-B .. 3 M/T Shift Tube-Use with P/S - 26" long / Obsolete

1973/77 F100/250 2WD

 

I will start by saying that the process of shortening a column for PS is rather simple for someone who knows how to weld. I've done a many. And probably your cheapest route of all would be to take it to a local competent welder to do it for you. I'm guessing 2-3 hours max to measure, take it apart, shorten the main shaft and weld (and sleeve weld), shorten the casing and re-notch the bottom for the bottom plastic piece and reinstall shaft. And done. Sorry for my terminology is rather weak for steering columns. LOL. I'd have to see a pic from ND for a better description. But it would most definitely be your cheapest route. And you could even convert to floor later on as well with no modification and have power steering already if you ever wanted to.

BUT! If interested, I was unsuccessful in PM'ing you but I have one I'd sell. It's in a truck I converted to floor and then drove the crap out of it for 19 years and just retired it about 3 years ago. Been looking for an excuse to tear into it and sell parts. It's already up on blocks and waiting. The body is pretty much shot. But I'd sell my column shipped cheaper than you could convert to the floor. But then I strongly suggest you check out a local welding fabricating facility before figuring out how to PM.

I think the rules are that you have to post like 10 posts or something? I'd imagine that would be a strong case for FTE to weed out unwanted spam PM's?

Regardless I hope that helps. But ask around locally to get a better idea first. Then post 6 more posts and get up with me. LOL

 

Thanks for confirming part numbers Number Dummy.

 

gittinwidit, my post count should be sufficient to PM now. Thanks.

 

I posted a few pics of the '76 in my new member thread here for anyone interested. It's a work in progress. Most of the body work, undercoating, etc. has been done. I've got a set of rebuilt GT40 heads waiting to go on as soon as I get the power steering sorted. I've also got a new brake booster and master cylinder ready to go on as well. 302 was running strong before I tore the heads off. You could definitely tell valve seals had been leaking for a bit though. Pics show how dark the pistons were prior to cleaning.