1987 Steering box upgrade?
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Cross-Country
Joined: Oct 2012
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1987 Steering box upgrade?
Hello all, have a 1987 F-150 4.9 ZF Longbed. The power steering box is kaput after 460,000 miles. Junk right ? Lol 😂. Anyways was told years ago there was a better steering box to upgrade too, like off a 1 ton or something from Red Head? Been many years since I was told about it. Anyone have any suggestions about a steering box replacement that would be good to do? Oh, it’s a power steering box.
Thanks, Scott in Dallas
Thanks, Scott in Dallas
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 12,837
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If you look up the steering gear on RockAuto it is the same gear for Bronco and all the F-Series trucks. I buy Lares or Cardone remanufactured. I just put a Lares steering gear the Bronco II about a month ago. Very good so far. Some people like the Redhead or Blue Top boxes. I have no experience with them.
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 17,484
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From: Northern Ontario
I prefer Blue Top. One nice thing, they replace the plain bearings (bushings) with roller bearings. They worked perfectly right out of the box. I have used Lares in the past as well, but prefer the blue top. Lares was very tight right out of the box, and a couple weeks later getting loose again.
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 558
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I prefer Blue Top. One nice thing, they replace the plain bearings (bushings) with roller bearings. They worked perfectly right out of the box. I have used Lares in the past as well, but prefer the blue top. Lares was very tight right out of the box, and a couple weeks later getting loose again.
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 558
Likes: 109
I prefer Blue Top. One nice thing, they replace the plain bearings (bushings) with roller bearings. They worked perfectly right out of the box. I have used Lares in the past as well, but prefer the blue top. Lares was very tight right out of the box, and a couple weeks later getting loose again.
More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 554
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Look into the early SD boxes as well, OEM is ideal obviously. If your donor/application is 4x4 DRW truck you get larger output shaft which is nice but the pitman arm is longer and so only matching the D60s axles (and D50 monogram SD axle), but the rest of the trucks got boxes that will accept your factory pitman arm 👍 Take a look on the FSB site cause that's where I found info on this, they did explain what makes the SD boxes better than the older ones but it's been a while and I've forgotten so can't pass that knowledge here unfortunately.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2015
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From: Candy Mountain
I have been very happy with my RedHead. I did have to replace one seal after a few years of operation, but I have not noticed any slop creeping in yet. I also replaced the factory steering shaft with a Borgenson. These 2 changes eliminated all my steering slop. Replacing the TTB pivot bushings and the radius arm bushings greatly improved the steering stability/consistency especially at speed. It still does not drive like a modern vehicle, but it is now the best driving OBS Ford I have ever driven.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2009
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Having bought a number of them over the years, I'd not recommend BlueTop over RedHead, or vice versa. They're basically equal in my experience, I go with whichever has the box I need in stock at the time (RedHead typically gets the nod for me, as I can can just drive to their facility and get the new box and drop my core off, saving me having to deal with freight).
In general, FLAPS remans are minimum passable, any box you see from FLAPS that's sold as a *new* steering box, stay the hell away from, they're garbage.
In general, FLAPS remans are minimum passable, any box you see from FLAPS that's sold as a *new* steering box, stay the hell away from, they're garbage.
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 4,285
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From: Everywhere and nowhere
The upgraded steering box someone told you about was most likely a Saginaw PS setup from an E-series van. You would need the steering gear box, high pressure lines and the bracket for the pump from the same engine unless the 4.9 shares brackets with the 5.0 or 5.8.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2009
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It does not. The 4.9 has it's own special bracket, for the saginaw swap.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,835
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From: Candy Mountain
The steering gear box is the same between the vans and trucks, it is the pump that is different. I've done this swap and the only advantage is the reduction in noise. Both style pumps provide adequate pressure.
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 4,285
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From: Everywhere and nowhere
the noise reduction and longevity. The truck pump is cheap and wears out under normal use and the Saginaw is superior design and proven to work longer.
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 12,837
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The OP is in search of an upgraded steering gear. An E-Series van has the exact same gear as a full size truck. What is different on the vans is the power steering pump.