Highboy Steering Conversion Question?? Once Again
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From: Gatlinburg
Highboy Steering Conversion Question?? Once Again
I'm building up a 77 Highboy with a 460 and C6 from my ole 76 2WD F250 donor truck. I have everything rounded up to do the 78 F250 4x4 steering box conversion. I was wandering, how many of you have did the conversion without cutting into the crossmember? Can it be done without having to do that? 
I am going to use a 4 core desert cooler radiator with a shroud. If I don't cut on the crossmember and just mount the box back as far as I can, will I run into big trouble when I set my front clip on? Just thought I would get some opinions on this before I get into it. Thanks
I am going to use a 4 core desert cooler radiator with a shroud. If I don't cut on the crossmember and just mount the box back as far as I can, will I run into big trouble when I set my front clip on? Just thought I would get some opinions on this before I get into it. Thanks
Last edited by 30over; Aug 13, 2004 at 10:27 PM.
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I bought a used 72 F250 4x4 that was converted to power steering using a Chevy 3/4ton steering box. It mounts to the outside of the frame. I am not sure how exactly they did it, but there is no cutting or funny looking brackets.
-Abrams
-Abrams
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From: Central Oregon
When I did my '74 hi-boy, I notched the crossmember just enough to allow the PS box to slip in between it and the radiator frame, and used one undersized bolt at the top/rear to minimize the amount of notching I had to do. Figured that with Grade 8 bolts it wouldn't be a problem. I had to whittle away some of the "Extra-Cooling" radiator frame and move the lowest bolt up a bit also and drill a new mounting hole, but think that's only a 3-core rather than 4. In addition, I used a torch plus hammer and grinder on the top of the frame to get enough clearance for the Pitman arm to make its complete arc underneath. I took lots of time mocking it up and chipping away in order to avoid overdoing anything, as it's a very tight fit. Finally, I found that a standard drag link was way too short to allow the PS box to be centered when the wheels were straight ahead which made a little slop, so constructed an adjustable assembly instead using tie rod ends and sleeve.
I'm a little disappointed in the "standard" Ford PS pump whine, but it sure drives like a dream. Good Luck! Steve
I'm a little disappointed in the "standard" Ford PS pump whine, but it sure drives like a dream. Good Luck! Steve
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I did the '78/79 steering box conversion to my '74 Highboy and did NOT notch the crossmember.
However, I did have to find a longer drag-link and steering shaft (kinda made one) to make it work. I spent hours in a large auto-parts store going through every drag-link they had and found the two ends and the turn-buckle that would work, but have no idea what they came from. One end was Chevy, the other Ford - go figure
It never occured to me to notch the crossmember...
However, I did have to find a longer drag-link and steering shaft (kinda made one) to make it work. I spent hours in a large auto-parts store going through every drag-link they had and found the two ends and the turn-buckle that would work, but have no idea what they came from. One end was Chevy, the other Ford - go figure
It never occured to me to notch the crossmember...
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From: Gatlinburg
Hey Guys,
Thanks for all the good posts. I've been sanding and painting for the last 3 days. I got the inner fender wells and radiator support done today. I'm hoping to be able to paint my front fenders, hood and drivers door tomorrow and hopefully the painting will be done if I don't goof something up.
I was hoping to be able to do the steering conversion without having to notch the crossmember but, I'll probably end up having to. I'll just have to see how it's going to work out when I get that far. I purchased the center link
from LMC about a year ago when I bought the new steering box and Borgeson Steering shaft. I have the inner frame spacer already made and the outer frame rail backing plate too, (courtesy of my uncle).
Man, building an old Highboy is a lot of work. Hopefully it will be rewarding in the end.
Thanks Again!!
Thanks for all the good posts. I've been sanding and painting for the last 3 days. I got the inner fender wells and radiator support done today. I'm hoping to be able to paint my front fenders, hood and drivers door tomorrow and hopefully the painting will be done if I don't goof something up.
I was hoping to be able to do the steering conversion without having to notch the crossmember but, I'll probably end up having to. I'll just have to see how it's going to work out when I get that far. I purchased the center link
from LMC about a year ago when I bought the new steering box and Borgeson Steering shaft. I have the inner frame spacer already made and the outer frame rail backing plate too, (courtesy of my uncle).
Man, building an old Highboy is a lot of work. Hopefully it will be rewarding in the end.
Thanks Again!!
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: southwest pa
i can't remember who it was, but i seem to remember someone on this board using a 70s dodge power steering box that mounted to the outside of the frame. it was a pretty trick looking setup, it was sort of a push and pull type thing instead of having the pitman arm swinging to turn it. there was also a truck i went to look at the other day that had a gm power box on it, but i didnt look to see if there was any cutting involved. i'm thinking about staying with my ram assist, it works very well, but it's very sloppy. will a rebuild at the joint connecting the pitman arm correct this?
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More Turbo
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From: calgary
#0 0ver, it is a lot of work but it is sure worth it. I am just about there it has been a lonf haul but the truck will be a blast to drive soon!
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From: Gatlinburg
I'm for sure, no expert on the ram assist setup. You probably need to check the whole system for play including the steering shaft all the way up to the rag joint at the firewall. My rag joint was nearly completely gone plus the bottom joint where it hooked to the ram steering box was about to fall off. I've heard that the ram system can be rebuilt to work kind of decent but nothing to compare with the quality of the 78 79 F250 4x4 setup.
I found a 79 box with the pitman arm and all the bolts on ebay shipped for $125 a couple of years ago. I removed the pitman arm and took it to Advance Auto Parts on customer appreciation day (15% off ) and swapped it for a newly rebuilt unit with a lifetime warranty for right at $150. If I ever get my painting done, I'm ready to get on with this portion of my truck project. Well, back to the carport to spray some Dupont Centari.
I found a 79 box with the pitman arm and all the bolts on ebay shipped for $125 a couple of years ago. I removed the pitman arm and took it to Advance Auto Parts on customer appreciation day (15% off ) and swapped it for a newly rebuilt unit with a lifetime warranty for right at $150. If I ever get my painting done, I'm ready to get on with this portion of my truck project. Well, back to the carport to spray some Dupont Centari.
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From: Long Island USA
Originally Posted by highboy1975
i'm thinking about staying with my ram assist, it works very well, but it's very sloppy. will a rebuild at the joint connecting the pitman arm correct this?
good luck!
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From: Long Island USA
Originally Posted by rodbender
For my 76 F-250 4x4,I used a 79 250 4x4 box with boxing the frame and the 79 drag link. The same box is also on 150 crewcabs.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: southwest pa
bass, i dont think your truck was the one i saw on here. the setup used a non power steering link to connect the box to the arm. i really wish i could remember who this was because it was a really trick looking setup. and krewat....does that fitting look like a grease fixture? i'll hafta check it out as soon as i can get my engine to quit catching fire. thanks