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Good morning ford community. I am considering upgrading the steering box of my ruck that correctly have a power assist. I reach out to Redhead company, and if I do not have a core, I need to come up with $1000 to get a steering box.
What I am looking to get from you all is advice from those who have already done the upgrade to their trucks. Also, besides the steering box, what else will I need to purchase in order to make the upgrade?
I am not too excited to cut the frame of my truck, but from the videos I have watched, it seems that it is needed to attach the 78 -79 steering box to the frame.
I have attached pictures of the correctly set up.
I put on the Benchworks kit and I love it. it's expensive that's the only draw back, if you can't afford it now I'd put up with the POS system you have until you save enough to buy it. you'll spend half as much for a cobbled up mess do it yourself conversion that'll be 1/4 as good.
I looked at a '75 high boy last week someone had cobbled a 78-79 box into and it was a total mess.
I did this mod and it is far from cobbled up mess. I guess if you hurry through it with out taking the time to think it through from start to end you could very well end up with a HUGE mess. First thing the wife said after driving it since the mod was “I can’t believe how much better this thing drives. So easy to steer now”. Then she says the brakes are a close second behind for the way it stopped compared to before. I added the hydro boost. It wasn’t really that hard to do just take your time especially with all the measuring. Don’t want to go through this and still have to cut the radiator support or hit the frame on a full clock of the steering. It is all super tight but works and works great and in my book looks like it belongs.
Oh, FYI. I traded my old power assets set up to them in place of the core charge. All of it (steering box, ram and cylinder). One of the best decisions on the build.
73 hi-boy 428 fe Thank you for sharing your pictures; you are doing an impressive job. Please know that I am not well familiar with the processes, that’s why I may be asking selling questions. What is the reason for cutting on the frame so that the box can line up with the steering wheel? As you mentioned, I also want to enjoy the ride as you said how much difference made.
I put the Benchworks on my 76 Highboy and I love it. Yes a little expensive but everything bolted right up. Only trimming I had to do was a little on the radiator mount. It probably drives better than it did from the factory.
I put the Benchworks on my 76 Highboy and I love it. Yes a little expensive but everything bolted right up. Only trimming I had to do was a little on the radiator mount. It probably drives better than it did from the factory.
I know they probably work great and it does make it easy to return to stock in you wanted but I didn’t want to cut the radiator support in any way. To me that is a dead giveaway of it not being stock. Yea, I know it’s not stock but I don’t want it looking like it was not supposed to be there. The “old school” 78/79 upgrade looks like a factory installed unit, at least it does to me. Now I don’t really think any of them are a bad idea for function. Even the electric steering is a nice option. It really probably comes down to the installation of which ever unit you choose. The 78/79 does require a skill set of fabrication and welding. The other two make it nice as they come in a complete bolt on kit that again all most anybody can do at home in a day with no specialty tools like a torch and welder. As long as the owner likes it that is all that really matters! They all steer better than no power steering or the power assist. Pick what ever you want as it is your truck! Build it for you! Just my 2 cents and trust me it’s not even worth that!
The notch out of the radiator support for the Benchworks would be a 10 minute fix, FAR easier to put back than chopping up the frame. and if you're concerned about originality both conversions are so far from original the difference is laughable.
he ONLY draw back to the benchworks is the price. so add up the cost of doing a 78-79 box conversion and see how much you save. I bet not as much as you think
Top quality rebuilt steering box with no core charge........... $?
New US made steering shaft from the column to the box.
New pitman arm
New US made adjustable drag link
All hoses and clamps
Box bracket and bolts
only 1/2 day installation with one sheet metal cut and no welding.
yes if done correct the 78-79 conversion works I didn't say they were always cobbled up. but most definitely are and I've seen quite a few that's why the choice was easy for me.
440 the 78/79 steer mod looks the most like a factory set up. Hell it is basically a copy for the 78/79 design, just put in the older trucks. I didn’t say I wanted original! I wanted it to LOOK original if possible. I don’t remember saying it was cheaper either. Why do people loose there minds with this mod? I will never ever want to change back to that crap show steering set up it came with. Nobody that drives it with that mod will want to change it back. If you want a stock Highboy great. I don’t want a stock Highboy that in my opinion is slow as hell, shifts like a grain truck and the stopping ability to match. If you want that, great it’s your choice. I am just saying build it the way YOU want it because it is your truck. If you are building to make a profit all bets are off then. I am not saying one is better than the other in terms of function. I think it is all again in your ability to do the mod of your choice. Some people do not have the tools or quit frankly the skill to do the 78/79 mod, but can certainly do the bolt on versions. Maybe that’s why I like it also, just like my body work/paint. I can say I did it!
Great suggestion about benchwork; defiantly something to consider. One of my options is to look for a core to send to the redhead and lower the price. I have been watching videos of people upgrading the redhead steering box, and the question I always have is if there are other ports that I need to buy to match the redhead steering box. Benchwork will set me back $1800 tax. The quote I got from redhead will be $875 tax if I don’t have a core, but I don't know if I need to get something else.
I appreciate you guys input.
440 hit it on the head as far as the part needed to do the 78/79 mod.
Top quality rebuilt steering box with no core charge........... $? New US made steering shaft from the column to the box. New pitman arm New US made adjustable drag link All hoses and clamps Box bracket and bolts only 1/2 day installation with one sheet metal cut and no welding.
There is no dought the electric Steerman or the Benchwork are the easier of the 3 to do and as 440 said the cost is probably the same for all 3 you just don’t see in the 78/79 as you collect part to do it. The other 2 are a one stop payment. You really can’t go wrong with any of them unless you muck up the install of the 78/79 mod.
Op, the steering box is only part of your problem, the whole system was a piece of crap when it was new. I wouldn't waste any money on it I'd live with it until I could replace it one way or the other , if you own for very long you'll see what I mean.
Both of you have helped me see the bigger picture and understand better what needs to be changed with the upgrade. My impression from the videos was that all I need is the steering box; that’s why I am pleased with your explanation. I need to check my pocket on this, as much as I would like to do the upgrade. Since I also wanted to do the AC. Thank you so much for your help.
You're right; driving my truck on tight corners is a workout. My wife doesn't want to drive the truck for that reason; nowadays, parking spots are much narrower, making parking more challenging. Today, when I got home, I looked at the room between the current steering and the radiator, which are so close. Since my truck still has the plastic that directs the air to the engine. When I took the truck for new tires after they removed them for a moment, it was easy to drive around, but now it is hard to move when it is not moving. Once is moving is more given.
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