I'm trying to find out how to switch my 72 F250 4x4's manual steering to power steering. The gear box is pretty shot so I need to work on it anyway and I figured this would be a good time to make the switch, but I can't find anyone who makes a kit to do this or any information about how to do it. Any information out there?
Thanks, and Merry Christmas!

Carl Grove

 

Here is my old post when I did It a few months back-
hope this helps - Glenn


Hey guys,
This past weekend, I just decided what the hell and wnet for it. I bought a 70's 2WD f250 and robbed the steering box, pitman arm, pump and lines from it- Tore all the steering components off of my '72 higboy- cut a 3/8" plate 6" wide by 7-1/2" long (45 deg. cut on corner to clear front crossmenber) Drilled 7/16" holes 3 places, pushed 7/16nc bolts thru backside and tackwelded the heads. (Note: I used these longer bolts as 'studs' because you will have that heavy steering box in and out for fit-up a dozen times and it's easy to just drop the box in and 'hook' it on the studs) Then located the 3/8 plate with studs to the inside of 'c' frame of the truck, and tight up against front engine crossmember-welded it in. Also drilled out the 3 tapped holes on the steering box to 1/2" dia -clearemce holes-to slide box over the studs and secure with lock washers and nuts. Shoretened the intermediate shaft 4" (the one from steeing wheel to P.S. box)and welded it back up. Also removed the pitman arm (needed a big Proto puller, and some heat form a small propane torch!) turned 90 deg to go between leaf spring and bottom of frame. Removed drag link, cut in half, shortend to correct length and turned ball joint 90 deg. and welded up (of course always check fit-up, grind for good weld prep and have welded by a good welder- this drag link is some hard metal- 1045? Been driving it for the past week- WOW what a difference!! Like having a new truck! I stongly reccomend going for the 2WD box- Its taller than the 78-79 box and the intermediate shaft almost goes stright into it. Also if you look at the box, it is very robust. Even with the three bolt pattern. Other things to consider - I can buy this box at NAPA (with my company discount) for $140 new $50 core. The job really went smooth, the only drawback was notching my radiator support, the box runs into it- wasn't a big deal for me. Hope this helps some people. I know I worried about the swap for almost a year and decided that I just had to have power steering-
Cheers