1956 F250
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 42
Likes: 22
From: Elizabeth City NC
1956 F250
Retired here so on limited budget as usual. I need to repair / replace manual steering gear box. Would it be cost effective to install power steering or should i stay with what i have?
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 9,361
Likes: 1,723
From: AKRON ohio
find you a 56f350 steering box. They are larger and stronger and have a different ratio and steer easier. I might have one here. I'd gave to look
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 25,364
Likes: 5,377
From: Central PA
I second that! Or an F500 or F600 steering box.
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 42
Likes: 22
From: Elizabeth City NC
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: AKRON ohio
just so you are aware, the f350-500/600 boxes require one new hole in the frame and a little massage to another hole.
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Tuned
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 259
Likes: 28
In 1982 at the advice of an old ford dealers mechanic I installed a F350 box in my 56 F100. He told me the original box was not strong or robust enough and it would need to be adjusted regularly and would wear out prematurely. He said that he repaired them frequently back in the 50s & 60s. Bought two 350 boxes from a salvage yard, rebuilt both with new ford parts, still have one as a spare as I’ve never had a problem with the one I installed. Kevin is correct in the mounting of the box. Drill one new hole and elongate another one and it bolts right in. The steering is much easier than the original box.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 25,364
Likes: 5,377
From: Central PA
In 1982 at the advice of an old ford dealers mechanic I installed a F350 box in my 56 F100. He told me the original box was not strong or robust enough and it would need to be adjusted regularly and would wear out prematurely. He said that he repaired them frequently back in the 50s & 60s. Bought two 350 boxes from a salvage yard, rebuilt both with new ford parts, still have one as a spare as I’ve never had a problem with the one I installed. Kevin is correct in the mounting of the box. Drill one new hole and elongate another one and it bolts right in. The steering is much easier than the original box.
I wish I knew this 6 years ago. A local junkyard near me had all kinds of old vehicles. The old owner and his wife had to go to a home. Their daughter started scrapping old cars to pay for their care. Since her son played soccer for me years ago she let me pick parts before they were crushed. There was an refrigerated beer 53 F600 or F500 in really bad shape. I looked it over good nothing on it that save salvageable inside or out. Had I known I would have asked them to take out the steering gear box. There was a guy helping her and I doubt if they would have done it or helped me do it.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 9,361
Likes: 1,723
From: AKRON ohio
In 1982 at the advice of an old ford dealers mechanic I installed a F350 box in my 56 F100. He told me the original box was not strong or robust enough and it would need to be adjusted regularly and would wear out prematurely. He said that he repaired them frequently back in the 50s & 60s. Bought two 350 boxes from a salvage yard, rebuilt both with new ford parts, still have one as a spare as I’ve never had a problem with the one I installed. Kevin is correct in the mounting of the box. Drill one new hole and elongate another one and it bolts right in. The steering is much easier than the original box.
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 42
Likes: 22
From: Elizabeth City NC
so the boxes are still difficuilt but are out there. Now the tough part: do i have to remove the entire steering column to replace the box as it appears to be a cover all the way to the top of the box ?
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 16,165
Likes: 4,765
From: Burbank, WA
The box and column is essentially one piece. Removing the outer sleeve will expose the steering shaft, which is part of the gears in the box. You simply have to disconnect the pitman arm, remove the trim plates in the floor board, remove the steering wheel, unbolt the box from the frame and the shaft from the column drop bracket and remove.
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 42
Likes: 22
From: Elizabeth City NC
The box and column is essentially one piece. Removing the outer sleeve will expose the steering shaft, which is part of the gears in the box. You simply have to disconnect the pitman arm, remove the trim plates in the floor board, remove the steering wheel, unbolt the box from the frame and the shaft from the column drop bracket and remove.
Tuned
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 259
Likes: 28
Yep, you’ll need to strip everything off and the only thing left will be the box with the steering shaft and sector shaft sticking out. They are pretty easy to rebuild if you have all the parts and are mechanically inclined.