69 F100
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69 F100
I recently got a hold of my grandpa's old Ford. 69 stepside, power nothing but a lot of sentimental value. I am looking to upgrade steering and brakes. Appears that power discs are no problem but I am still a little unclear on power steering conversion. Looks like it should be a bolt-in from a 73-79 donor other than steering column length. Is this correct? It seems I need to avoid the dreaded power assist (which I never heard of until reading this forum) so how do I tell what the donor has? I would also like to upgrade to larger wheels and tires. Is there a wider stock Ford steel wheel (I like those pieplate hubcaps) and is it feasible to go to a 235/75x15 without tire rub?
This is a great web site and I've got to say that this message board is the cream.
Thanks for any help.
This is a great web site and I've got to say that this message board is the cream.
Thanks for any help.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,558
Likes: 0
From: Inthepast
69 F100
Power assist is a 4x4 factory option. The two wheel drive trucks had true power steering gears. Any gear between 65 and 79 will swap. The columns from 73-79 will swap in to your 69 but you may have to rework the wires slightly. You can also take the two columns and between them make one that will appear to be a factory correct PS column for your 69.
As to the tire question: you should be able to run 235's right on the stock wheel you have w/o any problem.
<font color="#f80732" size="4" face="Graphite Light">Stock Man
</font><font color="#0000FF" size="2" face="Graphite Light">1967 F-250 FE 390 4wd</font>
<font color="#0000FF" size="2" face="Graphite Light">1966 F-250 I6 240 2wd LWB Flare Side</font>
<a href="http://www.hometown.aol.com/tbeeee">http://www.hometown.aol.com/tbeeee</a>
As to the tire question: you should be able to run 235's right on the stock wheel you have w/o any problem.
<font color="#f80732" size="4" face="Graphite Light">Stock Man
</font><font color="#0000FF" size="2" face="Graphite Light">1967 F-250 FE 390 4wd</font>
<font color="#0000FF" size="2" face="Graphite Light">1966 F-250 I6 240 2wd LWB Flare Side</font>
<a href="http://www.hometown.aol.com/tbeeee">http://www.hometown.aol.com/tbeeee</a>
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
69 F100
If I could add to the good info from SM, I strongly urge you to purchase your donor truck. There are so many little things that can be overlooked when harvesting parts, like brackets, clips and the like, running back and finding that your donor has been crushed or someone else got the part, can be time costly. You can buy donors cheep if you will look.
There are other methods for disk brakes, but IMO changing out the I-beams is by far easier. I have done this twice.
If you have a 352 find a truck with a 360 or 390. Same for I-6. Get same style tranny auto for auto, sd for sd.
Stock man is as his word, he likes everything as was, me I don't give a hoot, cause I want my truck comfortable. My project truck will have tilt. If I find another tilt setup, my present truck will have one too. I just swaped the 76 donor column and wheel from the 76 into my 66. The columns do bolt to the dash slightly different, had to buy longer bolts.
You will have to decide for yourself which is right for you.
If I can answer further questions you may email me.
John
66 F100s
In the still cool hours of the night, you can hear chevys rusting away.
There are other methods for disk brakes, but IMO changing out the I-beams is by far easier. I have done this twice.
If you have a 352 find a truck with a 360 or 390. Same for I-6. Get same style tranny auto for auto, sd for sd.
Stock man is as his word, he likes everything as was, me I don't give a hoot, cause I want my truck comfortable. My project truck will have tilt. If I find another tilt setup, my present truck will have one too. I just swaped the 76 donor column and wheel from the 76 into my 66. The columns do bolt to the dash slightly different, had to buy longer bolts.
You will have to decide for yourself which is right for you.
If I can answer further questions you may email me.
John
66 F100s
In the still cool hours of the night, you can hear chevys rusting away.
Guest
Posts: n/a
69 F100
Thanks for the input. I've been keeping my eye on the paper for a donor. Since I have some long term future plans to replace the 240 with a 300 (ah, those dreams), I've been looking for one with that engine as well as ps/pb. Save me some trouble rounding up suitable brackets for the ps pump also. Hope that isn't too rare a combination. Am also (those dreams again) thinking about an o/d tranny although I understand some of the o/d's are less than stout.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 1,415
Likes: 0
From: Lower 48
69 F100
When you swap to the PS box remember the PS column is shorter than the manual by about 3".
235/75R15's won't be any problem, You won't run into rub problems until you start putting 10.50x15's on stock rims. Then you're going to rub the frame as the back of the front tire hits, a little less turning radius is the only problem here.
If you're looking for an O/D trans I'd suggest one of the Mazda 5 speeds out of say '94 F150.
Have Fun
235/75R15's won't be any problem, You won't run into rub problems until you start putting 10.50x15's on stock rims. Then you're going to rub the frame as the back of the front tire hits, a little less turning radius is the only problem here.
If you're looking for an O/D trans I'd suggest one of the Mazda 5 speeds out of say '94 F150.
Have Fun
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
69 F100
There shouldn't be a problem finding your donor. Check the trading post if you have one in your area. Ride neighborhoods where that kind of truck can be seen in yards, check gas station lots. You should be able to find a wreck, one with a blown engine, or some other damage to use for the donor.
Good luck
John
66 F100s
In the still cool hours of the night, you can hear chevys rusting away.
Good luck
John
66 F100s
In the still cool hours of the night, you can hear chevys rusting away.
New User
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
69 F100
Something to check when buying your tires. I had 235 75R 15's on my 68 F-100 and they rubbed the rubber brake hoses on both sides when I turned to full lock. The rims are late-model factory 8 spokes off a 90 F-150. My truck is stock height too. I've seen MANY trucks like mine with 235's and same wheels and they don't seem to have the same problems I had with my truck. To fix this, I opted for 225 70R 15's that work great.
-Troy
RagTag's Classic F-100s
<a href="http://taintedweb.com/ragtag">http://taintedweb.com/ragtag</a>/
F-Series Truck Ring
<a href="http://taintedweb.com/truckring">http://taintedweb.com/truckring</a>/
-Troy
RagTag's Classic F-100s
<a href="http://taintedweb.com/ragtag">http://taintedweb.com/ragtag</a>/
F-Series Truck Ring
<a href="http://taintedweb.com/truckring">http://taintedweb.com/truckring</a>/
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,558
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From: Inthepast
69 F100
I would recommend finding a reputable tire shop that is willing to make recommendations to you and experiment if necessary. If you simply tell them to mount 235's that's what the shop will do and you will eat the problems. If you seek a recommendation from them then if there is a problem with the tires then they will likely correct the situation NC.
<font color="#f80732" size="4" face="Graphite Light">Stock Man
</font><font color="#0000FF" size="2" face="Graphite Light">1967 F-250 FE 390 4wd</font>
<font color="#0000FF" size="2" face="Graphite Light">1966 F-250 I6 240 2wd LWB Flare Side</font>
<a href="http://www.hometown.aol.com/tbeeee">http://www.hometown.aol.com/tbeeee</a>
<font color="#f80732" size="4" face="Graphite Light">Stock Man
</font><font color="#0000FF" size="2" face="Graphite Light">1967 F-250 FE 390 4wd</font>
<font color="#0000FF" size="2" face="Graphite Light">1966 F-250 I6 240 2wd LWB Flare Side</font>
<a href="http://www.hometown.aol.com/tbeeee">http://www.hometown.aol.com/tbeeee</a>
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