Dear Ford Enthusiasts,
I need expert advice on swapping my manual steering to power steering. I have a 64' F-100 and the steering is original, Any ideas will be appriciated. Also I've recently added driving lights and wired them to my brights, now my lights flicker on and off, ant ideas on this?

 

The lights flickering is caused by the extra current draw thru your headlight switch, the internal circuit breaker is tripping. A relay is needed to carry the current needed for the driving lights. Use the hi-beam to trigger the relay and run separate power wire to the relay and then to your driving lights.

Try the site search on the top right for steering swap info, it is difficult on the '61-'64 models.

Welcome!!!

 

It seems more difficult than anyone thinks...So far i still haven't a clue what year Toyota the swap comes from just that it might be a 4x4...I think i could swap an 84' Toyota Cressidia? Not sure about clearances thou....If I am correct the 61' - 63' steering gear came out the bottom and 64' came through the frame and then back to the bottom in 65' and up...Whats with that?

 

Up thru 64 the "wagon" axle single I Beam fron ends used 2 semi eliptical leaf springs, a "live" axle, a drag link and a separate tie rod. Tie rod connects left & right steering knuckles, Drag Link actuates the tie rod which in turn moves strg knuckles & steers the truck.

65 & up use IFS, or independent front suspension where Axle is separated by sides. Twin I beams are not live, have independent coil springs & instead of a drag link & tie rod, strg box pitman arm attaches to a "Centerlink" which does all things it takes a tie rod & drag link to do, plus centerlink also "floats" allowing suspension to be independent.

65 & up, 2 Wd, Strg Boxes, power or manual, Bendix or Saginaw bolt to the inside of the frame, have a Rag Joint connection, and attach as said to the centerlink. Everything suspension, axle, box, type of steering, chassis, steering linkage etc etc are totally different between 64 /earlier, or 65/ later 2 Wd F Series.

The way to "understand the difference" is to see the difference in either good repair manuals or actual comparison at a cruise in or other gathering of Slicks. It's not rocket surgery.

Also FWIW even with P/S handling of a single axle, live front end is not improved because of pitfalls in light weight version of single axle suspensions. Rebound, roll center variables, Bump Steer, proportional variation in caster/ camber when wheels turn thru centers while steering and other inherent short falls will still exist. Single axles will always understeer, roll too much off their roll center, and double rebound because they have two springs, on 1 axle, at least since 1948 inFoMoCo Trux.

They will steer easier. But IMHO P/S makes handling even worse with live front axle. . . . just my opinion there. I think single I beam steers bad enough without power steering. Of course this does NOT APPLY to 4X4s. . . . THey need front P/S, especially when engaged in 4Wd.

To summarize it's not difficult once the difference between the 2 types of suspension, thus steering requisites are understood. what is difficult, if not impossible it trying to get a live, single axle front end to steer like a IFS set up. Anybody can quote me on this "It Ain't Gonna Happen because It can not happen". As proof I offer this notion. . . If it could have happened FoMoCo would have done it back in the 60's rather than re-design their entire F Series front suspensionand re-tool their entire operation to build their newly designed "Twin I-Beam" IFS system. It would have a lot cheaper than what dearborne did, donch aree?

FBp

 

Well..first off..don't understand what the whole halabaloo is you just explained...I am a rocket scientist..all I asked was if anyone knew what year the Toyota steering box came out of...I found out it is an 85'-87' 4X4 toyota truck...I'm going this week to see if I can't figure out if it will work...Tell ya what FORDBOYpete...since U think it's so difficult to figure out what I'm saying then don't post a reply!!!!!K?..No disrespect intended!!!

 

Hi, Orion. Welcome to FTE!

I'm sure you mean no disrespect, but take it easy on ol' Pete. It wasn't entirely clear what you were asking for right at first. FBp is one of our most respected members here.

And his posts are routinely long (read: thorough), but it's only because the man is a walking encyclopedia of Ford truck knowledge - he just cuts and pastes from his brain, so sometimes you have to sift through his musings to get what you need. To be honest with you, I have little clue what he's talking about either, but it's because I didn't need it (me gotty 1966). But make no mistake about it, Pete WILL help you at some point here.

I've said it a thousand times before, this forum is AWESOME and it's like having 100 years of experience right in your shop. This is one heckuva group!


BTW, Putt's gotcha nailed on the headlights. Just an affirmation. Since you are an aerospace engineer or something of the like, undoubtedly you have electrical skills sparking out of your wazoo, and yet I'm not surprised that the addition of a relay didn't occur to you because of all the gremlins all about in 40 year-old wiring.......

On the PS, would I be crazy if I said that I thought I had seen a slave cylinder on an old straight axle? Afraid I'm not much help here; I have Twin I-beams and have never warmed up to the straight axle.

See you 'round...

 

U guy's know I love any input on anything....I did have an inkling on the relay and was backed by the idea thanks to putt, except my alt. only puts out 63 amps. and my acc. takes about (approxamatly....37 amps..)..so that means I need a higher output alt.... And about the P/S all I asked was what year was ya'll talk'n about...I am happy to be part of FTE and am happy to get any input I can get...I've always been told "The more heads, The better." The info I've gathered about alts, is that you need 50% more than what you're acc. take, is that right?

 

In your response to putt you made some remark in the form of a question .....in 65 & up what's with that?

I read that as a question, maybe it was the question mark after it which threw me off, d'ya think?

Never the less I explained what is up with 65 & up and I also explained why and how. Sorry it was over your head.

You don't need to worry about my confusing you with anymore replies. This is your last one you'll get from me. I thought I was being nieghborly to you, but I was wrong I see, Sorry.

Good luck on figuring out what you need for Alternator reserve output in a truck built & wired for a generator system.

Lighten up & cheer up a little bit, Ciao' & have a nice life.

FBp

 

I really didn't mean to offend anyone and as far as the alt. gen. thing It's been rewired...thanks for u'r concern and in the future I will be more carefull since some people don't have any common sence..Now actually I was asking about the steering gear box...not the whole suspension and handling theroy of the truck..but thanks for the lesson...besides I'm not racing this thing and so The whole handling thing is kinda irrevelant...FBp i apologize if I offended U at all, but the phrase ( I't not rocket surgery..) offended me, so I figure we're even...No hard feelings. Cause I don't have any