Trying to help a friend with his '76 F100 automatic column shift...
Recently tried to shift into gear and nothing happened. Shifter let go in the column somewhere and now won't start either so I assume the neutral safety is involved. Also, the rag joint on the lower part of the column is hanging by a thread. Looking for advice: should I pull the column and try to fix stuff (and hopefully find parts.?) or swap the complete column? I think a Borgeson style u-joint would be a good upgrade as well.? Cost is not as important as getting it repaired well.
Thanks.

 

New rag joint is just as good and may lest longer. Rag joints don't have bearings to wear out and they transmit steering imputs well. They once were even used in auto driveshafts in places that you find universals in now.

My '77's shift collar was what broke on mine, frixed in truck, in place.

Fix Shift Collar but broke neu/rev switch tab! - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums (ford-trucks.com)

 

The pot metal shift collar has an internal 'bridge' that connects it to the shift tube. Over time, the bridge begins to crack, eventually snaps off.

Now you aren't going anywhere because the collar just flops around, as it is no longer connected to the shift tube.

D5TZ-7228-A .. A/T Shift Collar Kit - Includes D3TZ-7A110-A plastic shift dial pointer / Obsolete = Misc 1960/77 FoMoCo vehicles.

GREEN SALES CO. in Cincinnati OH has 1 = 800-543-4959.

CARPENTER NOS PARTS in Concord NC has 1 = 800-476-9653.

RPN PARTS in McKean PA has 2 = 888-666-0916.
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1976 F100: TWO different steering couplers (rag joints)! With or without Power Steering is the difference..

D5TZ-3A525-A .. Steering Coupler / Obsolete = 1975/77 F100/250 2WD & F350 with Power Steering // 1976/79 F100/150 4WD with Power Steering.

HAVEN FORD PARTS in Haven KS has 1 = 620-465-2252.
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D6TZ-3A525-B .. Steering Coupler / Obsolete = 1976/77 F100/250 2WD & F350 with Manual Steering // 1976 F100/150 4WD with Manual Steering.

OBSOLETE RELIABLE PARTS in Nashville GA shows 2 = 229-686-5101.

No one else has either part number.
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The NSS is the same 1967/77 F100/350 and is available NOS & from auto parts stores.

C7TZ-7A247-A .. NSS (Motorcraft SW-600) / Obsolete
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The switch is controlled by a spring steel selector lever that snaps onto the shift tube, knife blade end pokes into the NSS .. The knife blade end is notorious for snapping off.

D0TZ-7B097-B .. NSS Selector Lever / Obsolete = 1965/77 F100/350.

GREEN SALES CO. in Cincinnati OH has 6 = 800-543-4959.

CARPENTER NOS PARTS in Concord NC has 1,958 (!) = 800-476-9653

 

Thanks for the help guys. I haven't got back to this yet, but didn't want to forget, and you think I wasn't grateful for the help.

 

Does anyone have help with installing the tab that activates the neutral safety switch? Does it just snap in if I "squeeze" it around the tube?

 

I believe it should "snap" in place.