I bought a 1955 F100 back in the spring of 2022, and began disassembly of the truck immediately. Time to work on the truck was limited due to non-stop work deadlines. I was able to completely disassemble the truck, sand blast the frame and paint with POR 15, install a rebuilt Ford 9 inch rear-end, new leaf springs, front disc brakes and new brake lines. I’ve also completed a fair amount of sheet metal repair.

I retired in May 2024, which gave me more time to work on the project, but we had decided to move out of San Antonio after I retired. I’ve noted in previous posts to FTE that our former house did not have a garage large enough for both our daily use and for the project, so my truck lived under a pecan tree in the backyard. It took a while to sell our house, but we finally accomplished that in the summer of 2025 and relocated to a small town located south of San Antonio. Our new house is 40 years old, so it is not really new except to us. The property required a good bit of deferred maintenance/fix-up work (ongoing) which has kept me busy over the last several months. However, I’ve finally been able to restart work on the truck.

Thankfully, our new house has a separate guest house (casita) with a two-car garage which provides a new home for the F100. I’ll try to post more regularly now as the work of re-assembly begins. I’ll need to install a new driveline for the truck, and planned to put a 302 V8 with a Tremec 5 speed overdrive manual transmission. I’ve been considering putting a 292 instead if I can find one in good condition. My truck was built with a 239 Y-block in the Kansas City plant, but the original engine and transmission had been replaced with a GM motor (completely frozen) and automatic transmission by the time I bought the truck. Both have been recycled at this point.

I’m not a mechanic, and learning as I go along, so I’ll need some help from folks on this site that are much more knowledgeable than me.


Exterior of casita with a garage/shop for the F100.


Disassembled truck in her new home.

 

Sounds like you are doing what I did, retire then start in on truck project. Good Plan! Keep us informed.

 

You didn’t ask, but I vote for 302 or 300 straight six. Might be easier to find the six and a five speed out of a 80’s F150
Good luck!

 

I am looking forward to seeing your progress on this truck.

I carpooled with a friend of mine, back in the 1980s. He had a 56 F-100 with a 302 and an automatic transmission in it. It was a great combination.

Good luck with your reassembly.

 

Started cleaning the steering column and steering box I removed from the truck some time back, and realized I need some help. The truck was not running when I bought it, but the steering was operational even with flat tires when we loaded it onto a trailer. What is recommended to check and rebuild prior to reinstallation? Is it customary to remove the filler and drain plugs and cover plate from the steering box to clean it out? I’d like to adequately recondition it without going too far. Looking for any advice on steps/things that should be, or need to be, looked at and taken care of.

 

I'm looking forward to following your progress. I put a 351 in mine, along with a 4r70w, and an 8.8 Ford rearend from a 2001 Explorer. I am in the process of reassembling my 55, so it will be interesting to see how our two projects fair.

 

Great start on your truck. I have a 1953 F-600 so I started to take photos as I am taking things apart. When it gets a bit warmer >20 I will be starting to put part of it back together just to keep from looking parts.

 

Still looking for a response to my original question concerning the amount of cleaning or disassembly required for the steering box and column. Mainly seeking guidance on how much should be disassembled, and if there are parts that can be damaged or destroyed that are difficult to replace. Also, what parts are generally replaced when the steering box is reconditioned? I've seen discussions on this forum concerning the grease/oil to use inside the steering box on this forum, but not a thread discussion regarding the actual work required to get them properly operating prior to installation.

 

Here is an exploded diagram:



Usually, servicing includes disassembly, cleaning, and replacement of wear items.

Replacement parts are available: https://www.dennis-carpenter.com/tru...ox-rebuild-kit

The Shop Manual (You have one, right?) has a section on steering setup.

It is relatively straightforward to replace bearings, seals and whatnot. The thing home shops have a problem with is trying to replace the worm on the shaft should one take the rebuild that far. Either get a new worm and shaft assembly or plan on pain for you or the machine shop you take it to.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...estions-2.html

Additionally, you will want to see if your steering box is setup for grease or oil:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post21571568

Lastly, before rebuilding and refurbishing your existing one, know that some prefer the better leverage that the larger truck (53/55 F-350+) steering box provides which will fit with minor mods.

 

"Lastly, before rebuilding and refurbishing your existing one, know that some prefer the better leverage that the larger truck (53/55 F-350+) steering box provides which will fit with minor mods."

That what I did on my 54 F100. A F350 and F600 steering box and column will fit and work nicely on an F100. One hole on the frame will need enlarged a bit, a new hole will need to be drilled in the frame. Or we used the existing hole in the frame and drilled a new hole in the mounting flange.Several of us have done it .

I just drained the old oil out and put in the spindle grease you've read about. Before that I cleaned up the outside and painted it black.

 

Thank you for the thorough response! I do have a shop manual for the truck, but the exploded view provided in your post is very helpful. I'll consider other options like power steering before disassembling the steering box I currently have.

 

abe, I just responded to bmoran regarding his full response. Thanks for you insight as well. I will certainly consider the heavier box before moving forward.

 

Kevin (bigwin) put me onto this years ago. I bought a F350 box from Kevin in 2020 and made the change last September. Kevin said they do not make a rebuild kit for these bigger boxes because they never need rebuilt due to the heftier components and construction.

 

There are still nos parts available here and there for the 4C box (f350-600 box)

I've been installing the f35-600 boxes into f100 for over 20 years and everyone loves them.

for starters they are heavy duty compared to the f100 boxes. Also the larger trucks don't get the miles that the f100 pickups got. They are always in good condition in the f600s. Grain truck, fire truck etc

I core f100 boxes and everyone of them has a bad worm gear. Chipped/broken on the worm or the worm looks like a razor blade. Always in the middle. So when you try to adjust to take out the play the steering worm/sector bind on the full turn due to less wear on the full turn

 

Based on comments received, I decided to disassemble the steering box to look at the condition of parts. The box was filled with grease. The worm gear and sector gear appeared to be in generally good condition and operated easily through the full gear engagement. I will reassemble the steering box until I decide whether to reuse it, or go with the heavier duty box, or power steering. I have a good bit of work to complete before reinstalling the steering, but was trying to look ahead.


Disassembled steering box and rod.


Closer view of the worm gear.