We have a 66 F100 with three on the tree and are converting to a C6 auto. What range of years of column shift automatic steering columns would work on a 66? Thanks

 

Your best shot at having everything work correctly is to source the transmission with all the linkage and column form any 2WD, F100,150 or 250 up to 1979. Manual steer or power steer matters. There are a lot of stars that have to line up in order to have the shift indicator on the column and the detents in the trans agree with each other. Some years had the neutral switch as part of the column some had the NS/reverse switch on the trans. If you already have the C6 post a picture of the manual lever on it. I can usually tell if it will work in a truck. That said you can use any C6 if you install the correct manual lever in it. Depending on the year of the column you may have to use your original dash bracket. More to it but too much typing for now.

 

Thanks Crop Duster for the quick reply. The C6 is already procured but at another location. Will try to get a photo later today. It will be a manual steering set-up.

 

I need to add one thing. You didn't say which engine, but regardless of that, plan on buying a Lokar kickdown kit. Your odds of finding all the correct factory kickdown parts for your installation are slim to none. The transmission will work without a kickdown, but you won't be able to force a downshift or make it hold the gears longer at wide open throttle.
Also, if you plan on using a torque converter with a higher stall than stock be sure the advertised stall is less than your highway cruise rpm or you will waste a lot of gas and put a lot of heat in the transmission.

 

Hey Crop Duster, sorry for the long delay but just now managed to get a few photos of the C6 linkage. This will be running behind a 289 block stroked to 331. And thanks for the advice on the kickdown cable. We may also be using a Lokar unit for the accelerator pedal. The prior owner jerry-rigged just about everything on this beast including installing a SBC!

 

NSS mounted on the column 1961/77, NSS mounted on the transmission 1978/79.

 

I'm going to say that the manual lever in your trans won't work in a 2WD truck. I'm sure ND will correct me if I'm wrong here but most 4WD trucks and possibly some 2WD's in 78 or 79 used a lever that pointed up, one I have is marked D8TP-BA, but they had a compound type linkage that will be hard to find. Your best bet is to try to source a column from a truck that had a C6 in it originally say 68-79. That way the shift indicator and the detents in the column will be correct. There are two manual levers that I have used that will work the one for a column with the NSS on it was marked D3TP-CA. And the easiest solution because these are still available new since they were used in forklifts long after Ford quit using the C6 in trucks. Is one marked E0TP-CA. To use it requires a small modification, after it is in the trans use two small crescent wrenches heat it with a torch and bend it up until it is parallel with the pan rail. This lever also has the slots in it for a trans mounted NSS so it can be used with any column you get.
Here is a pic of one in a C6 behind an engine on my run stand. Disregard the kickdown it just there to keep things tight.

 

The horror . . . the horror . . .

Welcome to the wonderful world of old Ford trucks!👍

 

Thanks ND and CD! It appears that since we have the NNS on the tranny it is 78-79 era. The reason we were attracted to this unit was that is already had a GV unit attached and the price was right. Getting that working is a whole other issue!

So I guess we would be searching for a lever with number E0TP-CA. Sounds like the mod is relatively simple. On the one you are showing us, did you already bend the lever parallel to pan? Or was that not necessary in your case?

Thanks again!

 

1980/89 F100/350, Bronco and Econoline w/the C6

 

I use the E0TP-CA because they are so easy to find and cheap. I got the last one from a local transmission shop for $10. You will have to heat it and bend it to make it work correctly with the 68-79 column. On the other hand, there are probably others that will work that I am not aware of. If you use a 68-77 column you can use the D3TP-CA which doesn't require any modifications. Here is an e-bay store that has both. You will notice how many different ones there are, and this is only the tip of iceberg and one of the reasons people get in trouble by just sticking any old C4 or C6 in a truck.
You have to remove the valve body to change one. You should install a new seal and kickdown "O" ring at the same time.
EFTP HARD PARTS | eBay Stores

 

Thanks again - and for the Ebay store link. Looks like a trip to the local antique car salvage yard to find a suitable column!

 

Scored a automatic column shift steering column at the local salvage yard this weekend from a 72 F100. And it even came with an original style steering wheel! The wheel needs a lot of work, but I've done several of these over the years using POR expoxy with very good results. All we need now is the shifter piece for the tranny and all the help here shows us what we need.

Here are a few photos of the project. Floor pan repair and prepping the body for paint. My son plans a "patina" look with nice interior and engine bay. It will sport a rebuilt 289 that was the original motor from my 66 Mustang.

 

1971/77 F100/350 have a two spoke steering wheel with a horn bar. 1978/79 use a different steering wheel and horn bar.

1961/66 F100/250 2WD, 1966 F100 4WD, 1967/70 F100/250, 1969/70 F350 have a 3 spoke 17" diameter steering wheel with either a horn button or horn ring.

 

Be aware that 1965/79 F100/350 steering columns have different lengths, with or without Power Steering also makes a difference;