I have what I thought was a 1978 f-250 4x4 with a 460 automatic. According to the vin #, it's a 78 f-150 4x4 cab sitting on a F-250 frame which I don't have any idea what year other than there is no gas tank under the bed. They modified the cab to hold the tank behind the seat. Today I found a 1979 f-150 2wd automatic for sell as a parts truck. Maybe it's a f-100? I'll look better tomorrow. Can I use the power steering off of it to replace my power assist and leaking ram or do I need an earlier model? I also want to maybe switch the steering as this one has tilt wheel. Thanks for the help.

 

i see nobody has answered this so i will give it a shot. if it has power assist it is almost definately a highboy frame (if it has front leaves instead of coils). some earlier half tons had power assist too. are you sure it is a 460? it wouldn't be original in a 4x4. they had to make the tank behind the seat work because the highboy frames are narrower and there wasn't an original tank underneath. as for making the steering work, i haven't done it yet but i am working on it. remove the pitman arm and rotate it 90* so it sticks out under the frame. then remove your manual gearbox and drag link and cylinder. flatten or cut off the lip on the top of your frame and box it.then mount the box so the pitman arm swings in a level arc under the frame. you will probably have to shorten your steering shaft. if you are going to swap colums i would do it now. i wouldn't think you should have any trouble with fitment if the years are correct. then you will probably have to have custom power steering hoses made. your local hydraulic shop should be able to do it. then get a drag link that fits if you can find one or an adjustable chevy style one and you should be good to go. if you have questions write back. if you get it done, post it on here. it might not be the strongest setup but should be better than power assist and parts will definately be easier to find.

 

So, the topic is:

Will the power steering system off of a 78 F150 2x4 replace the power steering system on an F250 4x4 without issue ?

 

no its not a direct bolt in. yes i think you could make it work

 

Does anyone make a kit to rebuild the power assist?

 

yes the 771/2 to 79 does work no its not a bolt in but if you have some welding skills and some time it can be done and is not to difficult . I found it easyer to pull the front clip you can either change steering colums or redo the steering shaft borgenson makes one for the swap about 300.00. i took the steering shaft off a 79 took it to our local driveline shop had a replaceable u-joint put in,fit it between the colum and the gear and welded a rag joint to it. when you get the clip off cut the lip thats on the frame off both sides cut some metal and fit it to the spots you just cut off then weld them ,take a piece of 3/16 metal and cut it to fit for a boxing plate tac weld it to the frame then set your gear against it mark your holes and drill then grind the tac welds off and take some black iron pipe 1/2'' and weld over the holes you drilled make damb sure there square make them fit in between the the boxing plate and the frame tac weld again run along drill bit in and drill the frame just a starter hole doesn't have to be the finished hole finish drilling the holes then check the fit,oh buy the way forgot to tell you this make sure you get the gear low enough to clear the frame very important!!!! sorry I left that out ! when you mount the gear if its level it will be closer in the front than the back so you want to make sure its low enough before you drill. now then once you'e check everything to make sure it's clearing go ahead and weld in the plate and bolt up your gear,almost done. now what I did for the steering link is I made sure the gear was where it's supposed to be 90 degree's to the frame towards your tire and the tires are straight measure center to center from the pitman arm to the steering arm had a piece of chrome moly made and drilled and threaded right hand threads on one end and left hand on the other and bought some rod ends from QA1 and some rod end seals and made my own steering link thats adjustable and very strong. I hae done this several times now with very happy customers!!!! and buy the way there is someone in california that redoes the power assist stuff 900.00 and you still have power assist total cost for me was 300.00! if youd like I could take some pics and add them to my gallarie but dont know if you'll be able to see much other than the steering rod

 

Ya allans77crew, if I could see some pictures of the gear box and pitman arm and anything thing you have the time to post. Just trying to get a visual on how everything is mounted. This is new to me and would sure help. Thanks again.