Power Steering Finished

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Nov 11, 2006 | 07:45 AM

tlb

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Elder User

Joined: Dec 2003

Posts: 586

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From: East Palestine, Ohio

Power Steering Finished

I finally finished my power steering last week. Used the rack and pinion kit from no limit engineering, ididit steering column and grant steering wheel. The truck handles great. Bump steer has been reduced significantly. The problems i had were not to bad. Once i got the correct instructions from no limit everything started to go better. The original instructions they sent with the kit said to set the bracket dead center on the axle. I could not get the toe in set even close to what it should be. The new directions said for 48 to 52 fords the bracket should be offset 2 1/8" towards the driver side. Once i did that everything fell into place. I had a problem getting the correct hoses. I tried to save some money by trying to get hoses made locally but could not get them to work. Ended up buying the hoses from Gotta Show out of Arizona. They were expensive but they worked out great.
Look in my gallery to see pictures of the new wheel and column.
Now i have to put truck away for the winter but at least i should be ready for spring.
The next project will be power disk brakes.

Terry

Nov 11, 2006 | 08:35 AM

fiddysixF

Senior User

Joined: May 2006

Posts: 257

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From: Kingsford, MI

Terry, glad to hear it went well/is working well. This is the way I plan on going when I get that far. Does the No limit kit come with a pump, or do you have to pick one up on your own. And... if you dont mind me asking, what was the total cost for the conversion?

Nov 11, 2006 | 09:11 AM

tlb

Thread Starter

Elder User

Joined: Dec 2003

Posts: 586

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From: East Palestine, Ohio

I bought the pump at a swap meet for $20.00 including the brackets. The pump was from a 68 mustang. No limit will sell you the pump also but they are expensive.
Total cost was:
Rack and Pinion kit: $631.32
Column, floor kit & 3 1/2" drop: $555.45
Wheel, adapter, horn button: $249.53
Hoses: 155.71
Total: 1592.01

There may be some additional minor costs (less than $50.00) fluid etc. that i don't have receipts for.

Terry

Nov 16, 2006 | 08:51 PM

ololds

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Joined: Oct 2006

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Terry, Very Nice looking setup! I looked at your gallery photos and really liked your truck. I am doing a 49 and hope to set it up much like yours. I liked your instrument panel, how did you do that? And, the grill was also very nice, is that a bolt in, or did you have to fabricate it? Neat truck! ololds

Nov 17, 2006 | 04:54 PM

tlb

Thread Starter

Elder User

Joined: Dec 2003

Posts: 586

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From: East Palestine, Ohio

Thanks for the comments. These old trucks are a lot of fun, frustrating and expensive all at the same time and worth every bit of it.

I bought the dash panel and gauges at the f100 super nats in Knoxville a couple of years ago. The grill bars are bolt on and can be bought from several different vendors.

Welcome to the group. There are a lot of knowlegable people on this site who have been through these old trucks and are a lot of help.

Good luck and post some pictures.

Terry

Jan 2, 2007 | 07:31 PM

1949f1

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Oct 2004

Posts: 1,724

Likes: 510

From: clinton,tn

tlb,super nice truck,i hope mine turn,s out half that nice.i have a question about the power steering that you installed.i have been looking at that setup since they came out with it.i am getting ready to clean up my straight axle before i install it back in my frame.what did you do about the old steering knuckle's.did it require cutting them off at the base near the king pin and cleaning that area up.it help's to ask some body before i buy the kit.thank's ,tracy

Jan 3, 2007 | 07:55 AM

bobbytnm

Roast em' if you got 'em

Joined: Mar 2005

Posts: 22,017

Likes: 9,975

From: Rio Rancho, NM

Terry,
Thats fantastic news! That beauty should be a real pleasure to drive now that you have power steering.

The disc brake swap is fairly easy and quick. The hardest part is installing the bearing adapters on the spindles. I used the kit from ECI and followed a tip I read on the BonusBuilt website that suggested heating the spindle adapters in an oven at 450 before tapping them in place on the spindles.

Gorgeous truck!!
Bobby