Could use some confirmation and advise.

Have a 1968 F-100 that came stock with P/S (Bendix Design). The steering gear started leaking so I pulled and sent to be repaired which was subsequently lost in shipment, USPS with no insurance "found box with no parts in Atlanta". Now I have read through some post and think I have a understanding of my options but would like to get confirmation.

1.) Pay some real $$ to replace the Bendix without a core $545.00 best so far "still won't be able to get seal parts for it and the Bendix is known to have leak problems".
2.) Drop in a manual gear and it will fit up to the existing column "sure like the P/S though"
3.) Replace with the Ford design and replace or shorten? the column with one that was supplied with the Ford Design. "I could use some help with this option"

Questions for option 3
A.) How much do I need to shorten, I am assuming the length would need to come from the gear coupling side. It looks like the coupling hub is heat shrunk on which would require machining to get a new fit?
B.) Can I keep the column shell, shift tube, etc. and just get a shorter shaft?
C.) What years, Models, etc could I look at for a new column"

Thanks in advance.

No Truck in Texas (unacceptable)

 

I just converted my 66 Ranger from the bendix to the Ford p/s gear. I obtained a steering column from a 78-9 and installed it at the same time as I was also converting to a auto tranny and needed to get some means of shifting the tranny. The gearbox bolted right up to the frame and the rag joint fit the gearbox. I did have to move the mounting bracket on the column. The toughest part was hooking up the turnsignal lights but with enough perseverence, it worked out ok. Find a salvage yard that has a donor pickup in it and get everything you need. The holes all line up so its a bolt in deal. Our local parts store sold me a reman gear box for $165 and it works like a dream.

 

66Ranger

Thanks for the reply. I forgot to mention I had a automatic. I found a column in a yard "do not think it was stock" it had a floor shift with no slots for the shift lever (ford make a floor shift?)

Regards

68rdr

 

The 4-speed trucks are all floor-shift.

I'd just find a '69-'72 pickup in a boneyard and get the column, steering box and firewall bracket...and bolt 'em in. They're actually fairly plentiful. The '73-'79 columns will work, but as mentioned above a little rewiring will be necessary to accomodate the column-mounted flasher switch, since the older trucks either had them in the glovebox or on the dash.