Power steering discussion
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 266
Likes: 1
From: Suwanee, GA
Power steering discussion
Why not use a power steering box off an 81-86 toyota 4x4? It's a self contained power unit that would exit thru the frame. I have seen this done on 48-56 series trucks and aside from a beefier frame and a different pitman arm/draglink I think it would work on our trucks. I have a 62 frame sitting next to my 53 and they are very similar.
here's a link to one on a '51 F1.
http://www.geocities.com/zeener96/toyota.htm
I'm seriously considering doing that to my 62 while I have the truck fully dissembled. The ablility to have power steering with little mods is a very tempting thing. With a disc brake kit I can have a much safer truck without having to torch cut anything.
If I can find one at my favorite bone yard I'll pick it up and let you guys know how its going... Perhaps a tech article?
Tyson
here's a link to one on a '51 F1.
http://www.geocities.com/zeener96/toyota.htm
I'm seriously considering doing that to my 62 while I have the truck fully dissembled. The ablility to have power steering with little mods is a very tempting thing. With a disc brake kit I can have a much safer truck without having to torch cut anything.
If I can find one at my favorite bone yard I'll pick it up and let you guys know how its going... Perhaps a tech article?
Tyson
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,310
Likes: 3
From: Illinois
Power steering discussion
If the side-steer is what you want, have you looked at the old hotrod solution? I believe they used early Mustang steering boxes. Would wonder about the strength though. They were pretty desperate as an improvement for them was to use the 53-56 F100 steering box.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
Power steering discussion
The steering box off the 4x4 will not work on '61 to '64 F-100 as it does on the mid '50's truck. On those trucks the steering shaft goes into the sector, on the high side of the sector shaft (output), on the 61/64 the steering shaft goes in below the sector shaft. The 4x4 sector will hang real low below the frme, and the steering shaft will not match up....Been there and seen that! 
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 494
Likes: 1
Power steering discussion
"I've read about a gearbox from a GM car (65-80)and a kit from Sacremento Vintage but never heard how it works."
I've done some more research and am sad to say this is discouraged. Apparently the frame was designed to take the fore-and-aft(inline) stress from the original steering box. Changing to any steering configuration that changes that to a side-to-side load operates like a press between your frame rails. This leads to frame stress cracks, tears, etc. 65's up heavy front crossmember is located right in front of the steering box, which extends back for the steering box to bolt into. Very strong.
Also, since there is no track bar to positively locate the front I-beam axle, any side to side motion presents itself as bump steer.
Adios,
Brett
I've done some more research and am sad to say this is discouraged. Apparently the frame was designed to take the fore-and-aft(inline) stress from the original steering box. Changing to any steering configuration that changes that to a side-to-side load operates like a press between your frame rails. This leads to frame stress cracks, tears, etc. 65's up heavy front crossmember is located right in front of the steering box, which extends back for the steering box to bolt into. Very strong.
Also, since there is no track bar to positively locate the front I-beam axle, any side to side motion presents itself as bump steer.
Adios,
Brett
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 1,415
Likes: 0
From: Lower 48
Power steering discussion
Long ago and far away, I had a '63 with Armstrong Steering. What about the possibility of using a steering box off of a 4WD Ford that mounts forward, then custom making your tie rods?
Trail Rider
Trail Rider
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