has anyone done this conversion? Are there any changes to the column or pitman arm?

 

Hi Eric, Please use the search feature, the topic has been covered hundreds of times.
Plenty of good info for you to read.

John

 

yes you need a shorter colum not sure about pitman arm

 

Eric, make sure you have a true '65. Late '64 trucks have been known to be titled as '65s, and vice versa. You can do the PS upgrade from later trucks IF and only if your truck has twin I-beams for the front suspension.
Double check to make sure. Once you have finished reading, be sure to post back with any questions.

Good luck!

 

As noted, topic has come up on occasion and if run a search, should find great deal of info. There are couple ways to go, Bendix which were only available for few years, understand expensive to have rebuilt, and not as durable. Advantage, do not have to deal with the column. The other option, is Saginaw (Ford) steering box. Advantages, availability, cheaper, and more durable. The Saginaw (Ford) box is longer, whereas, the Bendix is same size as the manual box but wider; therefore, if intend to install headers, fitting may be an issue. ' Shortie' headers may be a solution. With the Saginaw (Ford) box, it's longer, therefore, likely need to shorten the column, or install later column and either make adapter where column mounts at dash, or remove the mount from original and install on replacement column. Made the upgrade on my 65 and removed all the parts from donor truck that had the same engine. Took all the brackets, pump, and all the 2-3 sheeve (groove) pulleys, including the 2-3 groove harmonic damper. Also have power brake upgrade so also took the pitman arm, not sure if standard brakes able to use same pitman arm, suggest taking it anyway, just in case. I have the T18 (floor shift) so only had to shorten the steering shaft; although, there was a slight modification at firewall. At least I found the angle of the column of original slightly shifted so had to make minor modification at firewall. On my other 65, with 3 speed, came across a shortened column but for auto tranny, if the column can be converted and used for the 3 speed then will go that route, if not will probably go with the later model column and change the mounts. IMHO, of the upgrades made on my 65, the power steering in on top of list, world of difference.

dave

 

Ditto to what Dave says. Rates high up there on my list of conversions.

 

My dad changed his 66 4x4 over to power steering and it only took a pump and a different steering box and a couple of brackets to put it all on the truck. Not sure of all that he had to do but I am going to do the same on my 66 4x2 this next summer, need a few more parts.

 

I pulled the Power steering ,column and all ,off a 79' went in in under 3 hours, now have tilt to boot. Did the brake conversion to power disc at the same time this took about 5 hours pulling those i-beams is no picnic but what an upgrade, replace the bushings if youve got the beams out about $75 bucks if i remember.Do not forget to do a field alignment before you test drive, you will tear the rubber right off the rims.
Goos luck