Since getting a set of Michelin Crossterrain radials and after driving my 66F100 without power steering with some terrible wide and worn tires I have decided I need the exercise and will forget about a power steering conversion. I need to find a 66 steering column with an automatic shift. Can anyone tell me if the column for an auto trans 66 is unique to that year or are the others that bolt up? As usual thanks to anyone who can "steer" me in the right direction.

Mark Hebard

 

Mark, Not sure what you are doing, but non power steering columns through 72 and with dash cuff mod. through 79, all trucks and some cars will work.

Ther newer the year model, the harder to find non power.

hope this helps.

John

 

John,

I should have explained that my truck was originally a 3 speed manual and was converted to an automatic trans with a shifter on the floor. I want to find a column that will fit my 66 with the automatic hopefully an original. I would like it to be as close to stock as possible. I have wondered if the 3 speed column could be converted to an automatic style.

Thanks,

Mark

 

FordHardCore

Hi Mark, hope "Ol' man Winter is leavin' ya alone! I'm not quite sure what you're asking here, like John isn't sure what you want to do?

Since 65 and up, twin I beams F Series have had separated Steering Columns & Boxes. Column doesn't know or care if it will be used for P/S System or Manual Steer System. What Col's do care about is whether they need to shift A/T, Col Shift Manual 3 spd, or nothing at all, {when truck is floor shift 4 gear of some sort}.

What's different, is upper mount position at dashboard bottom edge. Some are different locations on Column Mast jacket (outer tube) due to different size dashboards, or dashboard column mounting bracket locations in different year F Series trux. 65 & 66 are same dimensionally, so are 67 thru 72, and 73 thru 79, because those are model year groups. The 1st year in each group is a changeover year {ie: 65, 67, & 73}. All 65-66 have same basic steel dashboard, all 67-72 have same basic steel dashboard & all 73-73 have same basic steel dashboard. Although trim, accessories, instruments & so forth vary within each group of years, sizing & fittment remains common among all years in their same group.

Now, when adding P/S {which I realize you aren't} columns must be up/down graded to get flange size of Strg Box compatible with Column in truck, or vice-a-versa. This may happen in your case depending on what column you wind up using. Whichever one you do get, get strg box flange it fastened to also. Some Box Flanges use hex head cross bolts, some use Torx Head, depends on year of Mfg. If you've not pulled a "box flange" loosen & remove cross bolt [it both fits a notch on spline (like King Pin cross bolts) and clamps flange tight on splined Strg Box shaft. If flange seems stuck, or hard to remove, roll it around 'til you see Machined Split. Insert appropriate large, flat pry bar {or pry driver [UGH! screw driver someone prys with]} enough to spread split enough let flange slip up off shaft.

I believe 77-8-9 columns, especially tilt columns, use a different size rag joint so in that instance a 77-8-9 steering box flange has to be installed to mate it up right. ( that's covered pretty well in the "Tilt Column Install Thread".

As for Passenger car columns, remember all columns after 1968 have the key locked steering wheel/ shifter, column mounted Ignition switch, wiring incompatibility issues & so forth. Not that these problems can't be WORKed out, operative word there is WORK. When P-Car column's used prima-fascia criteria will be; length/ diameter must be atleast close to what your "Slick" had OEM. Also, Rag Joint Flange must be some way adaptable to/ or compatible with existing strg box. Then come the aforementioned wiring issues, locking Shift & wheel mechanisms, etc etc etc.

The easiest installation will be truck type column from 65-79. I'd said once, 79 Columns accept later, smaller, sport style, steering wheels. I got corrected that all shafts have same spline so sport wheels fit all shafts, which is true, but we're talking about column not a splined steering shaft column has inside it. Our concern is with T/Sig Cancellation, a horn that works, wheel hub diameter actually fitting upper housing correctly, so installed part not only functions, it fits plus looks good enough to belong there also. {or so I think anyway}

I believe that about covers it all. If not ask away, I'll help if I can.

Oh yeah, BTW, STAY WARM & DRY . . . . . .

FBp

 

Qwik reply Mark,

Difference between A/T & Manual Shift is lack of "Detent" index between P-R-N-D-L-1 or whatever Req'd, in a Manual Shift Column.

W/out that Detent Index, a lever & linkage can drop into/ out of gear by gravity combined with motion, like a bump!

Sticking an A/T into L or 1 at interstate speeds, say 65 -70 mph when linkage suddenly drops from D position into the 1 position is usually fatal to an A/T, or atleast a torque converter, driveshaft rear end, axles etc.

Another scenario you probably want to avoid is having your vehicle lifted out of your swimming pool because it slipped into gear while it was running during a warming up period some cold & frosty morn. . . .

FBp

 

Fbp,

I will definitley try to keep the truck out of the pool. Fords jumping into reverse out of park is an old problem as it is, so I don't to add encouragement. The idea of a tilt wheel appeals to me and having many years working on fords I am comfortable with the steering ignition lock mechanism and wiring. Swapping rag joint flanges is pretty straight forward and as long as the column itself is not too long or short to be usable I think I can get it mounted. Once again, thanks for your very complete and well written info.

It is sunny for the moment on Monterey Bay and surf is up big time....for any who surf I am sure Mavericks is probably awesome this weekend. It takes some large cojones to ride those monsters.

Mark

 

There is also the option of going aftermarket. I used a flaming river tilt steering column and a Lokar Floor mounted shifter. It's more expensive but all the parts are new and you can order any length column and shifter you like. They also have a very "clean" design because they are made for hot rodders.

Greg

 

HardFordCore,

Don't know why I thought you were in the other part of the USA than where you obviously are. Got a Bud in Long Beach who is a wave rider. Known that dude 30+ years or more! Oh well, anyway

I quit the cold white area 40 years ago myself, packed it all in my 18 wheeler & came here to central FL. Did it day after a Big Snow Storm/ Blizzard.

Last week I spent 3 days at Turkey Run Rod Show inside DIS, [Daytona Intnatl Speedway] I ran across a guy called Flashbacks,
He's out of Carolinas. I have his card here someplace, I think.

He specializes only in our kinda trux. He laffs at everything else. I studied the "rebuilt" steering columns in his booth. He's one who rebuilds them, as a part of his "kit & Kaboodle" there. HAd a mix of new re-pop, NOS/OEM Used and re-hab stuff too. I rummaged around 20 30 minutes there. Rebuilt columns caught my attention they looked real good, well executed, clean workmanship etc.

I will try one next time I get a client who needs one bad enough & is willing to spring for it. I think they were $150 average + core & shipping , I'll keep looking for his info & send it when I run across it.

FBp

 

Mark, I did a major makeover to my truck at once, because it seems to make things a lot simpler. I rebuilt the engine, converted from 3 spd to C6, swapped in a set of 76 I-beams for pdb, ps steering gear, and 76 steering column.

I didn't find out until much later that from the rear cab mounts to the front bumper, all measurements are the same from 65 to 79.

While the center line of the pivit on the steering gear to the horn button measure is the same, the power gear has the hydrolic lines coming in and shifts the rag joint up towards the firewall. That is why so many guys go to floor shifters with 3 spd. ps conversions.

The under dash cuff on the older trucks is deeper that the newer ones, it is tack welded on and can be swapped in. I run a 76 column in my 66 with the original cuff and longer bolts. I also have a tilt column waiting to install and will clean things up at that time.

John