Hi all, does anyone know what color (or colors) the steering boxes were from the factory? Specifically, I'm having RedHead rebuild my '77 F100 power steering box, and I couldn't quite tell under the grease if mine was originally black, grey, or maybe a raw as-cast color. I looked at the zillions of past steering gearbox threads but didn't have any luck finding anything...

 

I've seen rusty and black. As if painting them black was an afterthought and not carried out very well. And in some cases ignored altogether.
So unless someone says any different, I'd paint it black. It's at least the color that most people come to look for on a nicely cleaned up or restored vehicle.

I've seen red oxide primer, but never saw one that I would say was from the factory. I've seen silver too, but again, not what I would have called a factory application. Probably just rebuilds.
When I was looking at these things on the lots (a lot) in '77, '78 and '79, I never noted anything particularly unusual. But at the same time I used to think that many of the under-bits on the trucks came pre-rusted from their trips across country on the train cars. Ignoring of course that many of them in my area were probably built right here in Milpitas/Fremont!

At the same time I was not seeing anything bad on the steering boxes, the front differentials from the steering yokes out to the knuckles was rusted heavily. Various bits and pieces on the frame (including the frames) were also partially black, partially dusted with surface rust.
Which is why I'm leaning to the steering boxes being black, because I don't remember much rust on them except for down near the pitman arm.

Paul

 

I've seen quite a few original pickups of this vintage and they were all raw . as in unpainted.

 

I'd imagine like most cast parts of the 70s these were mostly unpainted raw metal look to them. I'd say if you want to try to keep the original look, find a dark gray paint and go that route. Not sure if they left the factory with some sort of "film" such as a light coating of oil or grease to keep the rust down or not

 

Here is a zillion and one more thread to look at. I bet if you go thru this thread Joe will have found the correct color for every parts OEM color. If not PM hime and ask. Nice guy for sure.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...storation.html

I seem to remember them black or just cast (raw) color and and no paint.

 

Ok so you do not have to go thru the complete thread..its a LONG one, but a good one. Post # 71, 189, 190 and 227 discuss the fact he got a reman from Rock Auto. It looks black, with no reference to a specific black color. Old on left, new on right.

 

If you decide to leave it natural, this is the paint to use that looks like just like natural cast but will prevent surface rust.

 

Thanks for the images, and what a stunning build!

Red Head Steering Gears just got back to me - their understanding is that the gearbox most likely came from the factory painted satin black, with a brushed aluminum top cover. Oh to hop in a time machine and take some photos of an engine bay on a dealership lot!

 

And another one from way at the bottom of the thread.

 

Pretty sure they were all wet oil and rust from the factory. At least every one I've ever seen. I'd paint it with that, at least it would look like an authentic NOS Ford part.