Hey guys, I've been trying to search for any info on a power steering conversion, but for some reason the search functionality seems to be down, so I'll just ask. I have heard alot of people converting theri 2 wheel drives to power steering but not much info on converting my 4x4 from stock to powered. I have also heard that the power assisted steering offered on the 73 and up trucks workes real well. Im not looking into cutting on the frame at all, would rather keep the modifications to a minimum, but turning 35 in tires with manual steering is getting rather old. Any info would be awesome. Thanks in advance.

Preston

 

yes you can use 76-79 poer steering on your 70. I changed my 72 4x4 using a 78. It used mostly existing holes with one small hole cut on the bottom to put a nut on the bolt .

 

Did any 67-72 4x4 come with power steering.

 

they did as a option I think,but it was a hyd. ram that bolted to the drag link. 73-75 used this setup for sure. intergal power steering became standard on 76 & up.

 

Yes..67-72 trucks did have power steering......A pump on the engine, a link with a valve assembly built in and a hydraulic ram that bolts to the drag link (shaft) and the front axle (body).....I have seen this priamarily on F-250 and up 4x4's with the DANA 44 front axle. A silmilar or the same systme was used on later trucks as well (73-76 or 77?) because several parts I bought to rebuild mine were listed for these years and fit perfect.

 

73-77.5 are the years of the ram assisted steering anything before that was swapped off one of these trucks and added to it and looks factory because it bolts right on. 67-72 did not have PS as a factory option just the armstrong.I have 3 of the setups growing spiderwebbs on em.

 

Hey 460 crew, are those setups you have manual or power assist? Turning my 35" tires isn't worth the fun they give in the mud, plus Im sick of almost breaking my thumbs off when I hit a rock and the steering wheel spins and tries to kill me

 

OK, Im confused, we have 2 different views. One person says they did come with power steering, one other person says they didnt.

 

pkulaga they are manual power assist, the same setup as Unimog005 has in his gallery under power steering pics. I have never seen a from the factory setup on a 67-72 except after it has been added since they are a boltup. Nor were they offered as a factory option till the early 70's. Also they are never mentioned in any repair manuals till the 73-79 f250 manuals in which is stated the 73-77.5 have piston-type cylinder assisting the steering linkage rather than a intregal power steering box. Also when I added this assis setup to my 70 I still had to drill like 3 holes for mounting spots for the hose brackets on the frame and holes for the cooler lines that runs on the crossmember. Im just going on the facts that I have encountered and read.Keep in mind that for did some oddball things back then that were no recorded(so maybe somehow there were some 67-72's that snuck out with assist setups ahead of time) In my opinion I'd rather have the intregal box that I installed from the kit on ebay with the sawginaw pump. I run 35muds with no problem whatsoever in rocks and smooth as can be on the road, next week after I install my new lift I hope to run 40in swampers and add a cooler.

 

Preston, I did not see here what year truck and if it was a F-100 or F-250. I have a 66 F-100 with power steering but I did mine a little defferant, I used a box off a 87 Toyota. The whole job was done in 1 weekend and cost less than $300. I do not know if it would work on a F-250 or not, have not looked at one. Just another way to think about doing things. Allen

 

Sweet, thanks for the info guys, I checked out the conversion kits on ebay and couldn't find much. I'll probably end up grabbing something off of a donor truck if I can find one.

 

I have no idea if mine was original or not......probably not as the truck is a "frankentruck"........but when looking for parts, these "ram-assist" types are listed as original replacement parts for 67-72....not that they specify many of the parts as actually BEING available....thus why I started buying parts I thought would fit and got lucky!

A word of advice......Look into the overall cost of some of the other systems listed above.....I rebuilt mine to original over the summer and spent about $1100 doing it. That was rebuilding the ram cylinder, new PS pump, 4 new hoses and a new drag link. Rebuilding my ram cylinder alone cost almost $525. But, it runs like a champ and feels very smooth....plus it is a very heavy duty setup with a minimum of breakable parts/joints. It's about the simplest system you could have and therein lies it's genius.

 

What about the a pump, and ram off of a 66 mustang. I have that stuff laying around. Probobly not but i thought i would ask.

 

Oh....I also rebulit the Valve link thingy......left it out above.

 

There are more options than those also. I was looking for a bolt on type kit thats come altogether versus piecing it together and came across "Ibeling Repair & Conversions 1101 Ellis St , PO Box 238 Aplington, IA 50604 Main Phone: 319-347-2491". The specialize in kits for 4wd 67-72 Ford F-100s. Ive talked to maybe three probably four different customers of his that have had his kits and they all have said the same thing, good kit, not real steep on price, turns very easily and has held up great. One member of FTE (??) Ive talked to on here has his setup and runs 36's and says has had it for years and has always been able to turn with one finger, no problems with his for 6 years at that time. His kits which include box,pump, hoses, i believe steering shaft and possibly pitman arm run around 800 bones shipped. This is the setup I will be going with. Also in the how-to area of this site there is a detailed step-by-step process of how one individual did it using the 78-79 box and pump. It quotes that the box must be rebuilt to be adapted to the 67-72 trucks or it will turn right when turned left and vise versa. Asked numerous shops about this and they all have agreed. That should give you guys some more to think about for a while, Stan