To one and all:

Looking to install power steering on my 66 swb, 302, 2wd, floor mounted 4sp.

I know, I know, there are a gazillion postings on this but they all deal with seperate and distinct issues and the search engine on this site is pretty loosey goosey with what it pulls up and it takes forever and a day to sort through them and after having done that more than I can count I still can't find what i'm looking for in a simple, straight forward, steps 1 - ?, where to get the parts, answer.

So, now that you've suffered through that. ;-)

What is the easiest, most efficient and least expensive way to install power steering on the aformentioned vehicle?

Any and all genuine responses would be greatly appreciated.

thanks

ronindog

 

Ron: I understand your frustration in using the search engine, but trust me - the time you spend on researching will pay more dividends than you can imagine at this point.

I will answer your question:
Short answer: Buy a rusted out or wrecked '70 - '79 truck with a 302 and power steering, and transfer all the parts. No, I am not kidding or shortchanging you - that is exactly the best and easiest way to do it. You will get all the brackets, pulleys, parts and everything you need to do it - and have a perfect setup to show you the way.

Better answer: Buy a '73 - '79 with 302, power steering AND power brakes, and you will have all the parts you need to upgrade to power disc brakes.

Long Answer:
1. Scrounge the boneyards for the brackets, pulleys, pump and PS gearbox. Hope they fit.
2. Return to boneyard for that special bolt or unusual part.
4. Return to boneyard for different bracket; it was for an engine with (or without) A/C. Or different in some other function.
5- 397: Repeat Step 2 until truck PS upgrade is fully installed.
398: Bolt '66 steering linkage to '70 - '79 PS gear pitman arm - it does fit this way, by the way. The '66 pitman arm will not ft the PS gear, though.
399: Visit parts store to get new hoses and remanufactured pump.
400: Discover the hoses won't fit because one end is for a '70s truck or pump and the other end is for an '80s truck or pump.
401 - 497: Repeat step 399.
498: Finally discover everything fits, but PS gear is bad.
499: Return to parts store to buy reman gear.
500: Install gear, and breathe a sigh of relief when it works.

 

Made P/S upgrade in 65 F100 with 302ci and T18 trans. Kept original column and petal assembly. Found a truck with same engine and removed all components related to power steering, Ford box, pump, hoses, 2-3 sheeve (groove) pulleys, especially the 2-3 groove damper. Number 399 on Banjo's list. Not sure, believe 302 pump may be different than other pumps. If donor pump in sad shape may try and find part#. With respect to column, I used the same column and either find shorter steering shaft, or cut and weld original shaft. Because the steering box is longer it lowers the column slightly at the firewall and requires slight modification. If consider this method, suggest install box and set column in place and determine if feel comfortable with making modification. Made upgrade serveral years ago, have not experienced any problems. Other options is to cut column and shaft couple inches, again suggest setting column in place and take measurements. If do not have welding equip. don't think would cost more than $50 have it done. Final option, locate later model column, not sure availability of later columns without shifting arm. Members have mentioned using later model tilt column. Going with later column would require using spacers were column mounts at dash, or swap brackets with orig. IMHO, the power steering upgrade is at top of the list. Have another 65 without and must admit it sits around and collects dust.

dave

 

Thank you both for your insights. Sounds like you both got there by the "school of hard knocks", as it were.

Just out of curiosity, is there anyone who makes a "kit" to do this? seems with all the aftermarket stuff for just about everything someone would have done it.

I'm chasing every possible lead I can and have googled power steering kits a couple times, have gotten close, but not been able to find someone who does this, yet.

Thanks again and "lets be careful out there"

ronindog

ps. And you are correct, I have found it very educational to run searches for this that and the other thing on FTE, though a bit frustrating at times!

 

No, no one makes a kit because it is so easy and cheap to get the parts from boneyards or donor trucks.
I forgot about the steering column part; for my C-6 installation I chose a '70 steering column, and it all bolted up, epecially the wiring. The one slight exception is the bracket under the column to hold it to the dash, it isn't correct for the '66. Works fine, though. Later, I'll cut it off and replace it with the '66 one.
You can have your steering column center shaft shortened easily, as you don't have any shifting components to worry about.
Got your e-mail; very nice.
Your biggest concerns are going to be, as Dave mentioned, the pulleys and the brackets. Ford made many different styles of brackets even for the same family of engines, so you need to get a complete set from one engine to make sure everything lines up. This is where the complete setup saves you time and money - and a LOT of wasted time and frustration.

I have found, in my experience, that if you get a complete truck, you save quite a bit in thig like small parts, and core charges.
Further, you can part the truck out on E-bay, and get quite a bit back as well. Many of us have paid for the setups we use, such as power steering and power disc brakes, just off selling the unused parts.

Good luck, and post us on your progress!

 

Dittos on the picker, my experence also.

Buy the donor, harvest your parts, sell what you don't need for more money than you paid for the donor truck and your upgrade is zero in cost.

John

 

thanks guys, all very insightful and solid advice.

greatly appreciated

ronindog

ps. actually found a place that will pull together all the components new or refurbished. a bit pricey but i'll see how tough it is to find the "donar"

 

I went to www.lmctruck.com for my Ranger F100
good parts & prices

 

Thanks to the help provided right here I installed power steering on my '65. The guys here even helped me get the correct pressure hose to adapt to a '91 pump! The steering column has not yet been installed; however it is so nice to be able to "steer" the truck as I move it in and out of the shop by starting the motor and turning the rag bushing... Much nicer than trying to muscle the tires... I found the parts at a local salvage yard.