Automatic Transmission Steering Columns
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 207
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From: Oklahoma
Automatic Transmission Steering Columns
All of the automatic columns I've seen are on trucks with power steering. I know that the power steering columns are shorter than the ones on a manual steering system.
My question is, is there an automatic transmission column that is the same length as a manual steering column?
My question is, is there an automatic transmission column that is the same length as a manual steering column?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Automatic Transmission Steering Columns
Willie, The column is the same length, it's the shaft inside that is different. I understand that you can swap the shaft and retain the column. I changed to auto tranny and PS at the same time so I swapped in the complete unit.
John
jowilker
[link:www.ford-trucks.net/users/jowilker|Club FTE since 01 01] My FTE Page
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66F100s Rule
In the cool still quite of night you can hear chevies rusting away.
John
jowilker
[link:www.ford-trucks.net/users/jowilker|Club FTE since 01 01] My FTE Page
[link:www.ford-trucks.net/users/jowilker/NCFTE.html|NC Truck Owners] NC Ford Truck owners group
66F100s Rule
In the cool still quite of night you can hear chevies rusting away.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 632
Likes: 8
Automatic Transmission Steering Columns
[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 06-May-01 AT 07:10 PM (EST)[/font][p]Automatic & manual columns are the same length and same inner shaft length, provided they came from a non-power steering truck. BUT power steering columns, automatic or manual, are shorter than the non power ones. It is because the power steering box it a different size than the manual ones, even though it goes in the same holes, same steering arm, etc...67-72 column to dash bracket will not work on the 61-66 types.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,504
Likes: 1
From: Texas
Automatic Transmission Steering Columns
I used a 72 column in my 65, but I had to make a couple of spacers out of black iron pipe about 3/4 of an inch long. Guess what, it works and you don't notice it if you're not looking for it.
I'll use that unitl I can find a junk 65-66 column to yank the bracket off of....
1988 F-150, SWB, 5.0 EFI (formerly 4.9 EFI), M5OD 5 speed, 3.08 gears, Summit shorty truck headers, Custom built Flowmaster exhaust system. Force 4 LP6000 lightbar, Federal signal PA-300 100 watt siren, Icom IC-V100 50 watt mobile radio.
=======================================
1965 F-100 (just purchased 1/18/01), SWB, 390, C-6 auto. Dual exhaust, Not much else to do to it.
Can see both below.
[link:www.geocities.com/hotrodford_88/|Hotrodford_88's Webpage]
I'll use that unitl I can find a junk 65-66 column to yank the bracket off of....
1988 F-150, SWB, 5.0 EFI (formerly 4.9 EFI), M5OD 5 speed, 3.08 gears, Summit shorty truck headers, Custom built Flowmaster exhaust system. Force 4 LP6000 lightbar, Federal signal PA-300 100 watt siren, Icom IC-V100 50 watt mobile radio.
=======================================
1965 F-100 (just purchased 1/18/01), SWB, 390, C-6 auto. Dual exhaust, Not much else to do to it.
Can see both below.
[link:www.geocities.com/hotrodford_88/|Hotrodford_88's Webpage]
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Automatic Transmission Steering Columns
>Automatic & manual columns are the same length and same inner shaft length, provided they came from a non-power steering truck.
BUT power steering columns, automatic or manual, are shorter than
the non power ones. It is because the power steering box it a different size than the manual ones, even though it goes in the
same holes, same steering arm, etc...67-72 column to dash bracket
will not work on the 61-66 types.
>
Jim, can you share your information sources for the different column lengths. It is my understanding that the coumns are indeed the same length and it is the shafts only that are different. You are correct that the dash cuff is different, but will work by using longer bolts. I understand that you can remove the cuff from a 65-66 and weld it to the 67 and up.
John
jowilker
[link:www.ford-trucks.net/users/jowilker|Club FTE since 01 01] My FTE Page
[link:www.ford-trucks.net/users/jowilker/NCFTE.html|NC Truck Owners] NC Ford Truck owners group
66F100s Rule
In the cool still quite of night you can hear chevies rusting away.
BUT power steering columns, automatic or manual, are shorter than
the non power ones. It is because the power steering box it a different size than the manual ones, even though it goes in the
same holes, same steering arm, etc...67-72 column to dash bracket
will not work on the 61-66 types.
>
Jim, can you share your information sources for the different column lengths. It is my understanding that the coumns are indeed the same length and it is the shafts only that are different. You are correct that the dash cuff is different, but will work by using longer bolts. I understand that you can remove the cuff from a 65-66 and weld it to the 67 and up.
John
jowilker
[link:www.ford-trucks.net/users/jowilker|Club FTE since 01 01] My FTE Page
[link:www.ford-trucks.net/users/jowilker/NCFTE.html|NC Truck Owners] NC Ford Truck owners group
66F100s Rule
In the cool still quite of night you can hear chevies rusting away.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 632
Likes: 8
Automatic Transmission Steering Columns
I had a non power column in my 66. Bought a 71 AT/PS truck for the steering swap. Before I started cutting, I got another spare 66 column manual/non-power from a swap meet, along with a parts only 68 AT/non power column( someone had mashed the shift lever section, was using a piece of iron rod as a shifter) After comparing both side by side and dissassembling the 2 extras, I found that the manual & AT shafts were the same on both non power columns. I measures the position of the column in my 66, as far as protrusion into the cab, angles etc. With the PS swap, the '71 column was the same protrusion and angle. I CAREFULLY drilled out the spot welds attaching the dash to column bracket on the '71, did the same on my '66, and put the 66 on the 71 column for the stock look. When the column was being swapped, I puton a new rag joint, and upper & lower bearings. Wiring in the 71 column, except for the neutral safety switch of course, was almost identical to the 66. Spliced the column end connector from the 66 onto the 71 and after some minor head scratching, everything works fine now.. A nice swap, but go slow!
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 632
Likes: 8
Automatic Transmission Steering Columns
[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 08-May-01 AT 09:38 PM (EST)[/font][p]Been thinkin' on this today, these details might be of help to someone. The 71-72 type steering wheel works just fine, but if you want to have the stock look, either get a 64-70 column or do this: To close the gap when putting a 64-70 type wheel on a 71 or newer column, measure the threads on your original 64-70 type column. It looks like when Ford changed to the newer style wheel, the threads were cast longer to accomodate it. Get a 5/8 by 18 die and screw on the 71 plus shaft. cut a small amount from the threads with a hacksaw to match the threads on your 64-70 column, power or non power. Unscrew the die to chean the threads, and mount your old style wheel on the newer column.MEASURE, MEASURE AND MEASURE AGAIN!! Good Luck!! P.S. The 67-72 AT shift lever is not a direct interchange with a 64-66 3 spd lever!
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 207
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From: Oklahoma
Automatic Transmission Steering Columns
66 Ranger,
If you have done the modification that you just described, you should consider writing it up as a technical article. I'd be glad to post it on our Slick 60's Tech Page.
That's a bit of information that several would like to see and benefit from.
If you have done the modification that you just described, you should consider writing it up as a technical article. I'd be glad to post it on our Slick 60's Tech Page.
That's a bit of information that several would like to see and benefit from.
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