Hey everyone I have a 1966 f-250 that I would like to convert to power steering. I have an early 70s PS box and pump with a pitman arm labeled d2ta-3950-ba, I have run into the issue where the current front end of the truck does not match the right geometry to connect to the pitman arm. The truck still has drum brakes in the front and a new center link and tie rod ends for the 65-71 trucks. I Just bought a later style center link where the ball joints are positioned opposite of each by mistake instead of a center link where they are the same direction on either side. I'm afraid with all of these variations of tie rod ends and center links I will have to re do my entire front end with later parts to achieve my power steering goal.

My main Question can I use this new center link with the opposite facing ball joints with the PS pitman arm ( if I flip it over on the box) with my earlier style 65-71 tie rod ends.

If not what do I have to do to get power steering in this truck without changing everything again. Thanks for any insight, Henrys 66.

P.S. The few you tube videos I have seen made this look easy but failed to mention these differences in tie rods and center links with there correlation to pitman arm style and type...

 

You realize that there is a lot more to what you want to do than just adding a PS box and pump. The pitman arm you have is usually found on disc brake trucks. Read some of these tech articles, Technical Articles Index - FORDification.com

 

I have a complete 66 F250 set up. I-beams with complete drum set-up. tie rods and Saginaw box, no pump. Maybe 2000 mi before swapping to discs. If your interested.

 

I would say yes but I have a lack of space for a whole extra front end, plus I'm in California and not sure how far I am from you. I do have to ask what pitman arm did you use and did you use the original 65-71 tie rods and center link ? How did you do the upgrade? I was given the box and pump and pitman arm, I just put the 66-71 front end on just last year not realizing the issues I would have if I ever decided to do the PS upgrade. do you know where i should look for a pitman arm that fits the PS box and the 65-71 front end parts? Thanks- Henrys 66

@Crop Duster Thank you Capitan obvious, if it was so simple I would have had it done last week and would not have made this post. So yes I did realize that this wasn't going to be easy once I started and ran into the first issue of later model pitman arm to center link geometry, then the second issue of later model center links having completely opposite facing ball joints in some cases. I knew going into this steering column had to be shortened 2" and that I had to notch out the engine perch to fit the Saginaw box. I also new that the manual and PS pitman arms where different I did not realize the compatibility of later model pitman arms to earlier model tie rods and center links. I had read some of those articles prior to this , the 67-79 PS upgrade article in particular did not mention differences in pitman arms of earlier or later trucks and there correlation to the tie rods and center links of earlier and later model trucks. More articles can only get you so far. That is why I came here, to get more info from people who have done it and what they did to achieve it and where they got there parts. So again thank you Capitan obvious...

 

I'm in the Santa Cruz Mtns. My truck came with a Bendix PS box. I just used the pitman arm off that; it bolted right on the Saginaw box. All the drag links and brake parts are new (2000 mi) from Napa. They have been sitting for the last 6-7yrs so there is surface rust. All fluid ports have been plugged when I took them off.

 

CAPT. OBVIOUS (I like that) gave you sound advice.

You need a take-off setup to do it quickly and safely.

 

Anyone else want these parts? FREE.

 

You're in Santa Cruz? That's actually not too far from where I am, maybe an hour or so. With that being said and you being close enough I will take you up on your offer. How do I get a hold of you, I can probably come some time this weekend if that works for you. Thanks!