power steering with column shift?
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
power steering with column shift?
hello-
i've decided that i'd really like to have power steering/brakes on my '68 f100. only problem- it's a column-shifter. i'm worried about finding a 3-speed power steering column...were they common?
if i can't find that type of column, i guess i'd have to floor-shift it, or put a c-6 in. any opinions? it would be nice to have an automatic, but i don't know how much trouble it would be to install it.
as always, your help/opinions are appreciated-
thanks,
sam
i've decided that i'd really like to have power steering/brakes on my '68 f100. only problem- it's a column-shifter. i'm worried about finding a 3-speed power steering column...were they common?
if i can't find that type of column, i guess i'd have to floor-shift it, or put a c-6 in. any opinions? it would be nice to have an automatic, but i don't know how much trouble it would be to install it.
as always, your help/opinions are appreciated-
thanks,
sam
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
power steering with column shift?
Sam, You should be able to find a str. drv. truck with PS for a donor. If you can't you can pull the shaft from the column, and cut it and weld it back. I have heard of this being done although, I have never attempted to do so. A good weld should be as strong as the original IMHO.
John
jowilker
66 F100s
In the still cool hours of the night, you can hear chevys rusting away.
John
jowilker
66 F100s
In the still cool hours of the night, you can hear chevys rusting away.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 222
Likes: 1
power steering with column shift?
John. Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't the 65's and up have a steering unit that is seperate from the column? I thought they connected with a rag joint. If so, any power steering box up through 73 or so should bolt right up to his existing steering column.
Make sure you get the tie rods and related parts off the donor truck too, because I'm pretty sure they are differend than the manual steering parts. Make sure to lable everything so you don't get things mixed up when you try to re-assemble them on your truck.
Skip4274
4everFord
Make sure you get the tie rods and related parts off the donor truck too, because I'm pretty sure they are differend than the manual steering parts. Make sure to lable everything so you don't get things mixed up when you try to re-assemble them on your truck.
Skip4274
4everFord
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
power steering with column shift?
Skip, All 65-79 parts are interchangeable. You are right in your comment. That is why I suggested that he find a donor from a three speed truck.
If he isn't adding disc brakes, all he needs to change is the gear and column, or gear and shorten the existing column. The tie rod ends are the same.
John
jowilker
66 F100s
In the still cool hours of the night, you can hear chevys rusting away.
If he isn't adding disc brakes, all he needs to change is the gear and column, or gear and shorten the existing column. The tie rod ends are the same.
John
jowilker
66 F100s
In the still cool hours of the night, you can hear chevys rusting away.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,558
Likes: 0
From: Inthepast
power steering with column shift?
[FONT COLOR="#0000ff" SIZE="3" FACE="Veranda"]
J: When you say shorten the column...are you referring to just the center shaft or the column tube as well? I know we had this discussion ages ago, but maybe it's time to revisit it. BTW---I'm surprised you missed the opportunity to sing the praises of the auto given that Sam is a potential convert based on his initial post? :-)
[/FONT]
[LINK:www.hometown.aol.com/tbeeee|http://members.aol.com/tbeeee/page/67registry.jpg]
J: When you say shorten the column...are you referring to just the center shaft or the column tube as well? I know we had this discussion ages ago, but maybe it's time to revisit it. BTW---I'm surprised you missed the opportunity to sing the praises of the auto given that Sam is a potential convert based on his initial post? :-)
[/FONT]
[LINK:www.hometown.aol.com/tbeeee|http://members.aol.com/tbeeee/page/67registry.jpg]
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 222
Likes: 1
power steering with column shift?
John. I guess I didn't make myself clear. The shift tube and arms are part of the steering column. Why can't you just pull the manual steering box off, put the new power steering box on the truck and hook up the standard shift column to it? In fact, if I were doing that swap, I wouldn't even unbolt the column and shift tabs and rods, just the steering box and ancellary parts.
Where am I going wrong?
Skip
Where am I going wrong?
Skip
Trending Topics
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
power steering with column shift?
Thom in response #1 I did refer to the shaft needing to be cut, if he couldn't find a replacement. You are right, I should have suggested that he replace that three on a tree column for a nice C6 column instead. I thought I'd hold back and wait and see what Andrew the HPguy would tell him first.
Skip the power gear is about two in. longer on top where the fluid lines go into the gear. That is why the need for the shorter shaft. You guys are correct the actual column length doesn't change.
John
jowilker
66 F100s
In the still cool hours of the night, you can hear chevys rusting away.
Skip the power gear is about two in. longer on top where the fluid lines go into the gear. That is why the need for the shorter shaft. You guys are correct the actual column length doesn't change.
John
jowilker
66 F100s
In the still cool hours of the night, you can hear chevys rusting away.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 6
From: SD
power steering with column shift?
[font color=red size=3]I did this swap to my '73 4 spd, got the parts off a '73 auto. I took the shaft out of the auto column and put it into my manual column, thus I was able to use the same column tube assembly, but still had the shorter center shaft. Couldn't he do the same? Pull the shaft out of another power column and put it into his 3 spd column?
Maybe it wouldn't even work on the '68 style, but it works in my head...;-)
Marty[/font]
Maybe it wouldn't even work on the '68 style, but it works in my head...;-)
Marty[/font]
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
power steering with column shift?
Yes Marty, that is a posibility. The bottom line is a shorter shaft must be used to compensate for the longer power gear head. I guess there are several ways to achieve that.
John
jowilker
66 F100s
In the still cool hours of the night, you can hear chevys rusting away.
John
jowilker
66 F100s
In the still cool hours of the night, you can hear chevys rusting away.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
