74 steering box conversion
Sorry I understand why you said it needed the block now.
I am still not understanding where to cut the frame for the steering box, I see the pics but no measurements.
3 pictures in this thread are helpful: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post16874385
This thread starting at this post, especially the comments by the users named "grinnergetter" and "jay_blu" are quite helpful: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post16028889"I bought 5" channel when i did mine, I think my 77 frame is 5 1/2" overall and about 1/4" thick. The channel was about 1/4" thick and 5" outside to outside. I bought like 3ft of chanel, but only used like less than a foot of it. I didn't use any tube in between, it didn't crush down when I hit it with the big impact. I guess we will see once i drive it if it will bend in or not. I also heated and flatened the bent up portion. Then notched the welded cross member 2" towards the firewall, and 3" to the passenger side. The box ended up being about 2" ahead of the core support rubber mount, and i think a stock drag link for a 79 fits perfect. Also the 79 steering shaft works perfect too."
The comments from user "mark_a." is also helpful from this thread: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ml#post9966209"I have done a few of them with the 77.5-79 box like you have. After getting the frame cut out so the box fits up in there I hook the steering shaft and the drag link up to the box & steering arm so it's all in there, hooked up. Then position the box for the best fit. Then take it all back out and finish up the frame. That way no problems will creep up on you as you are hooking up the shaft and drag link."
Another very detailed write up that spans 3 pages on this site that takes a little bit different approach. Either way, adding DOM to strengthen the bolt holes is stressed.
https://www.truckowners.com/content/...-Ford-Highboys
https://www.truckowners.com/content/...ys-Part-2-of-3
https://www.truckowners.com/content/...ys-Part-3-of-3
All of the info/links above should be pretty good for getting a sense of what the steering box job entails.






