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I recently purchased a 1966 F100 with a 352. Automatic on the column. Manual steering and brakes. My first vehicle I owned back in 1979 was a 1964 F100 with manual steering. I remember how tough it was to turn the steering wheel if I was not moving at least 5-10 mph. So I am wanting to do a power steering conversion on this new truck. I have tried to read all of the threads on this site and the details on Fordification.com. My question is, if I can find a 1969 or 70 F100 steering column with an automatic on the column and power steering, then I should be able to bolt it into place with a Ford Saginaw power steering gear box and pitman arm without needing to alter/shorten the steering column/steering column shaft. And then get the proper pump, hoses, etc. Is my assumption correct? I would like to avoid shortening my current steering column if I can. Thanks.
I will answer my own question. It fits pretty well as you can see from the pictures. I purchased the steering column from eBay. It had been refurbished. I had to sand it, prime it and then paint it. I think that it turned out pretty good. No cutting required. The bracket that bolts the steering column to the dash is different, so I had to purchase longer bolts that I painted as well. I am sure that there is way to remove the brackets and exchange them, but they are spot welded on and I didn't want to ruin the columns. After I posted this I looked closer at the Fortification.com article and it actually shows a steering column from a 1970 F100 from a truck with an automatic and power steering.
It looks good. I am more impressed you posted a question 5 months ago, got zero input, and figured it out anyway- kudos.
As you have found out the column itself is the same except for the saddle that bolts to the dash. You can buy aluminum spacers in just about any size - that would it make it look cleaner and more stable, but your solution should be safe and functional.
