Im looking to swap the original power assist on a 76 f250 4x4 with the newer style system. Ive read the tech article in here on this and looks simple enough,other than finding the parts for it. Most of them seem to be snaged up for this very reason. I was talking to one of my customers today and he said him and a buddy used the dodge power system(claims it was even a better system than Fords). But he could'nt remember what year it was. So has anyone heard of this,no if it works,or even what years mite work?
Thanks............Wick

 

Come on boys,anyone heard of this?

 

I've seen the conversions done on a couple of rigs runnin' around here. Can't say that Iknow a whole lot about them. I do know that the power steering units were from Dodge pickup trucks, but not sure about the years. The pickups were the same for many many years,so pick a year in the middle 70's to 80's and it will probably work. THey look like Saginaw units.

The one truck had a big ol' cast fabricated (Dodge part I'm told) bracket that hung off the frame, and the power steering unit mounted to that. It mounted on the outside of the frame. Didn't care much for the design. Looked like the tire would rub the bracket if you ran a moderately sized tire (33). This truck had real skinny tires on it.

The other one I saw, the power steering unit was mounted directly to the outside of the frame. Looked decent enough.
I don't know how either one of these trucks drove though.

A couple of places around here used to perform these swaps (wrecking yard, and auto shop), but they don't do much, if any, of it any more. No body wants to spend the bucks.

It looks like the conversion would be easier than installing the '78-79 F-250 4X4, but I haven't done either, so I'm not sure.

Some of the later Saginaws had variable power steering.

Personally, I'm going to swap to the 78-79 F-250 4X4 box.

 

>Come on boys,anyone heard of this?


I changed the title a little to maybe attract morre people for you.
Try & be specific when you title the thread.

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Thanks Dennis,Idaho,maybe if you remember the names of the yard and shop you could send info my way so i could call them and pick there brains?
Thanks Boys..........Wick

 

yea, any Ideas would be great- I've heard of sombody doing a Toyota box- Wish I had some years to start my search.

 

I'd be interested to here more about the toyota box,seems kind of small for a full size.

 

i think your best bet, is just use everything off a 1979 f250.
if you have any questions, i'll be more than glad to help ya.
i've been using it since about 1985. good luck
glen bransfield
houston tx
glenb@ev1.net

 

glenbe,the only problem with this is most of them have been used up around here for this very swap.Where are you?are they more plentiful there?
Thanks.........Wick

 

On a different note, what would it take to convert a power assist steering system to non-power steering? Other than removing all of the power steering components, it looks like the only part needed would be the link from the pitman arm to the d/s steering knuckle. Did highboys come without power steering? I'm trying to get reliable steering until I can afford to do the upgrade to the later model box. Seems like this would be a cheap and eacy way to go.

 

Come on guys.

 

I just posted this in the 67-72 area too


I just bought a early 70's F250 2wd short box p/u - has power steering, 429-4V / C6 (50,000 mi on engine. Out of a'73 station wagon) I am planning on moving all the 2wd power steering box, pitman arm, drag link and so on into my '72 Highboy 4wd. Can anyone tell me what's involved in this swap- I heard that the hardest part would probably fabbing and welding a flat plate to the inside of the frame rail where this old box use to reside. Any ideas? I have a 3 groove harmonic balancer, pump and bracket already for my 300-6 so I'm good there. Any thoughts very much appreciated. Can't wait to get P.S. - Gonna have to start going to the gym now, so I don't get weak.

 

you can buy the 1979 steering box all day long at autozone for
about $220.00 you can get as many as you want.
good luck glenb

 

$220 sounds great for the sector - It's the $160 core charge that I just can't afford.