I have a 76 ford F250 highboy with a 460 engine. It has a six inch lift and 36 superswampers. I use to have the power assit steering set up but saw the article about the conversion. I converted everything over just like the article said but I have worse steering now then before. The new set up doesnt even turn my tires when it is just siting. There is also alot of play in the steering wheel.

I used a 78 PS gear box but keep my 76 PS pump cuz I had the brackets for it. I have read through most of the conversations about these but none of them help. If anybody can help or know what i did wrong it would truly help.

thanks
John

 

When you say a 6 inch lift---I'll assume that it was a suspension lift-----Here is what I THINK you have done---all the parts used in the conversion were designed to be functional and work correctly within the "Range of Movement" of a normal f250 , 4x4 up thru 79-----Because you have raised the vehicle 6" or so ALL of the Normal range of horizontal and vertical travel of the steering system has been Used up in trying to accomadate the additional heigth of the lift---it is so high the system can't function in the horizontal plane(parallel with the ground)---so you have little or no movement of the front wheels from side to side---i.e. , the axle is still at the same level plus whatever additional heigth increase due to the 36's vs 16 inch normal tires-----You will have to change both the pitman arm from the steering box and the short draglink that normally connect to the axle!!!!!The ps pump should work just fine........I believe some of the major manufacturers of lifts will probably have the parts that you need .........get on that phone and spend some of your inheritance so you can drive your truck!!!fd :-X11

 

you may just have a weak pump. most of the assist systems leak, that means the pump has been run without or low on fluid. if it has the pump may be bad. change the pump before you do anything else. that may be all you need. hope so.

 

Then again , jimbare may have exactly on the money--most certainly if your pump isn't working as it should that may very well be apart of the problem , fd

 

I replaced the ps pump but it still doesnt have enough power. Does any one know of a more powerful ps pump that I can get with the 76 brackets that i have. That is before i try to figure out some way to make my draglink horizontal like fatdaddy said.

 

john , call AGR in Arlington , texas(do a google search to find their number) and ask to speak to matt burkett , he should beable to diagnose your problem---they make several kick-butt pumps that should work for you--they aren't cheap so don't be surprised at the price...........fd :-X11

 

Thanks for the help fatdaddy!

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 07-Aug-02 AT 02:50 PM (EST)]I did the conversion using a rebuilt '76 pump and it turns 38.5's just fine...I don't turn while the truck is stopped to try and keep stress off the pump but it will turn them. I used a Skyjacker dropped pitman and dropped draglink and they work great on a 4" lift...right at parallel.

Make sure the pitman isn't rubbing the underside of the frame..it's pretty close under there when you do the conversion.

 

I had the same problem with the steering on my '78 F-150. All I did to fix it was take that dang 450lb. bumper and winch off it.

 

hey chilly,
I called my local skyjacker and they did have the pitman or draglink. The guy didnt know even if they sold such items. Is there anywhere else that I could look?