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1961 - 1966 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Slick Sixties Ford Truck

Converting

Old Jul 4, 2005 | 08:44 AM
  #1  
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Converting

I have done all the searches and found nothing specfic to my application. I would like to convert my 1962 F350 4x4 w/352 4 speed granny to power steering. I would like to know , what power steering unit do I need. I have read that i can use Toyota and newer ford truck units. Can someone please tell me for sure what I need? I want to convert it so my wife can drive her (NOT), i am getting older and would like to drive her more frequently. After the steering is done i am going to convert to power brakes. So any info on that subject would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for any info and Happy Fourth
 
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Old Jul 4, 2005 | 09:10 AM
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Walkhaulsey, I did the Toyota convertion on my 66 F-100 4x4, it has coil springs. This convertion I do not think will work with the leaf springs of your F350. You my look into a power assistted steering.
 
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Old Jul 4, 2005 | 04:13 PM
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Thanks for the info, but i would like to at least try the conversion, any info at all would be welcomed.
 
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Old Jul 5, 2005 | 12:43 PM
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The Toyota conversion puts the steering box next to the radiator and would put the pitman arm with the steering link between the frame and leaf springs. This my be workable, I have looked at a 67 F-250 of a frinds that wanted to do the same conversion, with some mods it may but he did not do it. Let me know if I could help in anyway.

Allen
 
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Old Jul 6, 2005 | 06:40 AM
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Walk, Basically power sterring wasn't offered for several more years after your truck was built. The 65 & newer trucks can be converted because the front end wan't changed again until 79 and powersteering was made standard equip. during that time. Your 4X4 350 is more unique and finding conversions is going to be harder.

You might want to look at moving your sheet metal to a newer chassis sometime in the future and many hard to find conversions could become easier and cheeper.

just a thought

John
 
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Old Jul 6, 2005 | 07:13 AM
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Yeah John!
I heard that ol' conversion "chime" a long, long time ago.
Man or Man, does it make life easier & safer in the long run too. . .

FBp
 
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Old Jul 6, 2005 | 08:26 AM
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Now i am torn, between keeping the truck orignal or swapping bodies. What a hard decision to make. If i did the whole swap thing , what year would interchange and would it also have power brakes? If i can't get power steering for my truck from finagling this and that , then i probably can't get power brakes as well , am i correct?
 
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Old Jul 6, 2005 | 09:45 AM
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I like my truck for the body style, I could care less about what year chassis is under it.

You on the other hand may feel differently about yours. I don't think the value would be hurt by the upgrading, and probably would be increased. You just have more options going to a newer chassis.

Maybe someone more knowlegable will be along shortly, that knows what year F350 4X4s were available with both power steering and brakes.

John
 
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Old Jul 6, 2005 | 04:01 PM
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The 62 F350 4x4 uses a Gemmer steering box. A really good illustration of the Heavy 4x4 chassis and cab is in the Dennis Caprenter Cat.

Same Box for 250 and 350s in the four wheel configuration. through the floor solid shaft type unit. It is a little bit beefier than the standard ford box.

As this box is similar to the F100 box in that it mounts in the same plane and bolts simillary. a conversion to a toy box may work. However i would not recommend it as the steering forces that the F350 chassis will experience verses a F100 are substantially different. I know of no 4x4 conversions using the toy parts only 2 wheel units and those trucks hauling and load days are long past.

Ford offered a ram type self centering Power unit on the heavier trucks including the F350. but they are rare.

Garbz
 
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Old Jul 6, 2005 | 05:04 PM
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Originally Posted by garbz2
.

I know of no 4x4 conversions using the toy parts only 2 wheel units and those trucks hauling and load days are long past.

Ford offered a ram type self centering Power unit on the heavier trucks including the F350. but they are rare.

Garbz
Garbz, you said you don't know of any 4x4's with the Toyota or "toy" parts, my 66 F-100 4x4 has been running this conversion for a few years now. I have used it to haul fire wood and alot of big loads on this truck. Only in the last few months have I started fixing the old girl up.

I agree that a heavier ram type steering would be the best for the F-350 4x4 applacation.
 
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Old Jul 6, 2005 | 09:18 PM
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Toyota conversion

Hey,

I have the Toyota conversion on my 64 straight axle, 2wd, swb f100. The box is a mid-80's 4wd Toyota that is mounted in front of the front cross member on the Toyota. The conversion works great....the box is a bit slower than the stock Ford setup but having power assist and good feedback make it worth the effort. That's the good news!

Now for some realistic things to consider. I run a 460 Lincoln engine....slightly off-center to the passengers side...no headers because of clearance with the box and the rear crossmember under the firewall has to come out.
I have real concerns about interference between the clutch linkage but you have to make that call.

If you're comfortable with welders and have a fairly well equipped shop it is do-able. The lower end fabrication is fairly straight forward. It's the top end, shortening a column, fabbing mounting brackets and getting everything properly (safely) installed is time consuming, and can be expensive if you have to spring for a short column from Flaming River or Ididit!

Check my gallery for some pix of the conversion and if you want to take the leap.....shoot me an email and I'll walk you through it.

Dave
 
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Old Jul 7, 2005 | 06:43 AM
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The only issue between your F100 and their F350 is the location of the box. The toy stock mounts in a similar position as the F100 in front of the axle and the F250 350 mounts to the rear of the axle.

The mods required are extensive and include steering collum revisions as the eariler steering is solid shaft with no rag joint.

The 66 F100 4x4 is the only coil sprung and front steer of the breed. All others are still Leaf spring sprung and rear steer.

I should have clarified some. My bad. But again the 66 F100 is the oddball of the bunch.

Garbz
 
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Old Jul 7, 2005 | 07:52 AM
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A lot of good info. But I am still stuck, keeping it orignal with the manual steering and manual brakes or making my life easier with power steering and power brakes. Ihad a bad situation with my brakes. I was crusing down the road and this IDIOT pulled out in front of me and you all know that these old trucks with manual brakes just don't stop. Well I pumped them as fast as I could like a jack rabbit pumping you know what, and a line blew,( it was actually a wheel cylinder seal gave up under the pressure, ) I about crapped my pants , fortunately I was able to move to the shoulder and coast to a stop. Hummmmm. What year truck would bolt right up for the conversion? Of course it would have to be a F350 if at all possible.
 
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Old Jul 8, 2005 | 09:52 PM
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I checked your web site and I didn't see where they offer a brake booster set for a 3/4 ton. A half would not be a problem. I did email them and asked if they offer a break system for a 3/4 ton. Waiting for a reply.

Thanks.
 
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Old Jul 31, 2005 | 10:29 PM
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Not 100% sure if factory but my 65 F250 4x4 has power drum brakes, and it looks to be factory. You may be able to find the neccesary parts out there.

Phil
 
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