Notices
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Dentsides Ford Truck
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Moser

Steering column differences?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 24, 2024 | 10:06 AM
  #1  
Mannysouza's Avatar
Mannysouza
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 283
Likes: 89
Steering column differences?

So I am putting a 1979 f350 cab and chassis cab on a 4x4 low boy chassis. So I accidentally threw away the intermediate shaft that came with the chassis. Now I am trying to get the steering hooked up. I found an intermediate shaft on eBay.

so my question is will a lowboy intermediate shaft bolt up to the f350 column or will I have to make something.
 
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2024 | 11:20 AM
  #2  
lafermedavid's Avatar
lafermedavid
Cargo Master
15 Year Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,172
Likes: 101
From: darlington
Club FTE Silver Member

Borgenson shaft


Hey Manny if your talking about steering shaft ,one of the most common used is the Borgenson shaft for your steering Box
 
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2024 | 09:46 PM
  #3  
77&79F250's Avatar
77&79F250
Moderator & parts slinger
Veteran: Army
15 Year Member
Community Builder
Liked
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,247
Likes: 5,815
From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
Club FTE Gold Member
Is the F350 column a 2wd cab steering column? If yes, then it round plate that has/had the rag/flex joint set up. And on a late year 77-79 F250 4wd you will have a u joint set up. So yea Borgeson shaft is the quick, fast and easy way to go. Measure X3 cut X1 and extend a bit, slide on the splines on both ends, bolt and go.

The 4wd F250 steering column has a u joint (none replaceable) just down from the fire wall exit of the steering column. And then a slip bell set up on the steering box input shaft. And those parts get worn out also. https://www.borgeson.com/Ford-Truck-1970-14/

Flaming River has all kinds of u-joints if you want or need to build a custom set up.
https://www.flamingriver.com/catalog...its&q=u+joints
 
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2024 | 10:07 PM
  #4  
Mannysouza's Avatar
Mannysouza
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 283
Likes: 89
Originally Posted by 77&79F250
Is the F350 column a 2wd cab steering column? If yes, then it round plate that has/had the rag/flex joint set up. And on a late year 77-79 F250 4wd you will have a u joint set up. So yea Borgeson shaft is the quick, fast and easy way to go. Measure X3 cut X1 and extend a bit, slide on the splines on both ends, bolt and go.

The 4wd F250 steering column has a u joint (none replaceable) just down from the fire wall exit of the steering column. And then a slip bell set up on the steering box input shaft. And those parts get worn out also. https://www.borgeson.com/Ford-Truck-1970-14/

Flaming River has all kinds of u-joints if you want or need to build a custom set up.
https://www.flamingriver.com/catalog...its&q=u+joints
thanks! This is the 2wd steering shaft. Is the rag joint removable or do I need to make something?
 
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2024 | 10:25 PM
  #5  
77&79F250's Avatar
77&79F250
Moderator & parts slinger
Veteran: Army
15 Year Member
Community Builder
Liked
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,247
Likes: 5,815
From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
Club FTE Gold Member
Well.....kinda no that round plate is welded to the steering column shaft. One way to do it, is to get a OEM splined shaft and that way is to remove that one in it now and get the proper one out of a correct column.

Or yes you can cut it and get a D shaped steering shaft material style locking u joint and adapted it to it. And I would WELD it also. But...I do not support that set up because this is your truck steering we are talking about. Janky short cuts on steering and brakes are a NO GO IMO. I am sure race car and off road truck guys build all sort of custom stuff, so it can be done safely.

Or even better, cut the round plate off and then take the column apart and get the shaft end properly splined. Then buy the proper splined u joint for that end, some D shaped bar stock material and the corresponding D/splined u joint for the other end. And built it the right and safe way. Does this make sense?

This might work if it is long enough. 2wd set up, and F150 4wd set up. https://www.borgeson.com/78-79-Ford-...nd-Bronco.html

This is what I am explaining on what to build. 4wd F250 https://www.borgeson.com/70-79-Full-...ord-Truck.html

I got the one above for my late made 77 4wd F250 and have never had any issues.
 
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2024 | 10:28 PM
  #6  
Mannysouza's Avatar
Mannysouza
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 283
Likes: 89
I was think g about the one with the rag joint on one end but the rag joint seems like it’s won’t flex enough. I can fabricate something up.
 
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2024 | 10:30 PM
  #7  
77&79F250's Avatar
77&79F250
Moderator & parts slinger
Veteran: Army
15 Year Member
Community Builder
Liked
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,247
Likes: 5,815
From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
Club FTE Gold Member
I have seen those motor mounts you welded up in your other thread. Just like a stack of mini dimes that fell over, very nice for sure. I am sure you can fab up some thing safe and awesome.

It's not like you have a ton of frame and or cab flex needing a large range of flex motion in that round coupler. I just like a solid u joint on each end of the steering shaft.
 
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2024 | 10:32 PM
  #8  
Mannysouza's Avatar
Mannysouza
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 283
Likes: 89
I appreciate that. I just don’t want to tear apart the column. The cab has 6k original miles. Everything is so nice and tight.

does it need the slip joint or is that a safety thing?
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-4

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
Old Nov 24, 2024 | 10:34 PM
  #9  
77&79F250's Avatar
77&79F250
Moderator & parts slinger
Veteran: Army
15 Year Member
Community Builder
Liked
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,247
Likes: 5,815
From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
Club FTE Gold Member
Well since you are going to probably taking that round plate off, you might as well change the bearing on the end, while you have easy access.

DRB Machine and Fab. https://drbfab.com/collections/ford/...-76-79-broncos
 
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2024 | 10:47 PM
  #10  
Mannysouza's Avatar
Mannysouza
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 283
Likes: 89
Originally Posted by 77&79F250
Well since you are going to probably taking that round plate off, you might as well change the bearing on the end, while you have easy access.

DRB Machine and Fab. https://drbfab.com/collections/ford/...-76-79-broncos
that’s pretty nice!
 
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2024 | 11:21 PM
  #11  
77&79F250's Avatar
77&79F250
Moderator & parts slinger
Veteran: Army
15 Year Member
Community Builder
Liked
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,247
Likes: 5,815
From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
Club FTE Gold Member
Originally Posted by Mannysouza
does it need the slip joint or is that a safety thing?
IMO yes it needs the safety slip joint, that acts as a compression joint to not drive the steering column into your chest in a head on.



 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
presto
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
10
Nov 20, 2019 06:50 PM
knucklecars
1961 - 1966 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
1
Aug 8, 2016 09:11 PM
bikeymikey
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
4
Dec 15, 2012 07:30 PM
headhoncho
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
2
Aug 28, 2007 09:10 PM
chillyman1
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
5
Jul 15, 2004 09:22 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:50 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE