Steering
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
I must respectfully disagree. It does make a difference.
70, You didn't mention wheather you are looking at an upgrade to the Ford Saganaw system or using the older Bendix system.
About the time Ford went to power steering as standard they did also to auto trannys. The die hards stayed with the floor shifts and the rest went to auto. There are some Saganaw three speeds out there, that will require some searching for.
Many times folks like myself will upgrade to power steering and disc brakes at the same time. I suggest buying your donor with all of the creature comforts that you want and you will have all of the parts needed for your upgrade. You can sell parts that you don't need and maybe your upgrade wont cost you anything in money.
Good luck on the hunt.
John
70, You didn't mention wheather you are looking at an upgrade to the Ford Saganaw system or using the older Bendix system.
About the time Ford went to power steering as standard they did also to auto trannys. The die hards stayed with the floor shifts and the rest went to auto. There are some Saganaw three speeds out there, that will require some searching for.
Many times folks like myself will upgrade to power steering and disc brakes at the same time. I suggest buying your donor with all of the creature comforts that you want and you will have all of the parts needed for your upgrade. You can sell parts that you don't need and maybe your upgrade wont cost you anything in money.
Good luck on the hunt.
John
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,833
Likes: 0
From: Honkytonkville
So what do the power steering systems (either) have to do with the steering column. I can 100% guarantee that all my trucks there is no difference, but I own no 67-72 trucks, my oldest is 75 that has no PS
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Scott, The column is about 2 3/4in shorter with the Saginaw system because of the added length on the gear where the lines hook to.
The total overall length is the same, the connect point is shifted towards the firewall.
If you have never had two of them out side by side, you might not have known that.
John
The total overall length is the same, the connect point is shifted towards the firewall.
If you have never had two of them out side by side, you might not have known that.
John
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,833
Likes: 0
From: Honkytonkville
No i've never had em apart, and I've never owned one of those series trucks.... The oldest I've owned is a 74. Thanks for your knowledge.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,658
Likes: 4
From: "Islander"
Sounds like you already have 3 on the tree with a manual box and want PS.
You can keep your steering column with 3 on tree but you will need to use a Bendix PS box with pitman arm, a direct bolt in.
The Bendix PS box is getting rare, known to leak, twitchy steering at speed, makes excess fluid heat plus expensive to rebuild. Will become worse in the future. It was only used in Ford trucks for app 3-4 years so pickings are thin.
I have the old 69K mile Bendix that leaked twice at the input seal, is like new inside but I can't sell it with a clear conscious.
Best to use what you have until you find a later late 69 up truck with 3 on tree with the Ford or Saginaw box (same box).
You will need that shorter steering column, your biggest problem, lower column support on the firewall, box with pitman arm, pump with mounting bracket and the crank pulley unless you have a spare sheave for PS.
I would change the column long before installing a Bendix PS box, went thru that with the 68 and the leaking factory Bendix PS box.
You can keep your steering column with 3 on tree but you will need to use a Bendix PS box with pitman arm, a direct bolt in.
The Bendix PS box is getting rare, known to leak, twitchy steering at speed, makes excess fluid heat plus expensive to rebuild. Will become worse in the future. It was only used in Ford trucks for app 3-4 years so pickings are thin.
I have the old 69K mile Bendix that leaked twice at the input seal, is like new inside but I can't sell it with a clear conscious.
Best to use what you have until you find a later late 69 up truck with 3 on tree with the Ford or Saginaw box (same box).
You will need that shorter steering column, your biggest problem, lower column support on the firewall, box with pitman arm, pump with mounting bracket and the crank pulley unless you have a spare sheave for PS.
I would change the column long before installing a Bendix PS box, went thru that with the 68 and the leaking factory Bendix PS box.
Last edited by "Beemer Nut"; Nov 26, 2006 at 09:00 PM.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Originally Posted by 70 Ford Cali
Thanks for all the info i looks like i will wait till i swap out the trans and pull a system out of an automatic
John
New User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
mines a 69 f100 2wd it came stock with a 240 i6 with manual steering , i went to the junk yard and got a pump and the brackets and lines off an 84 f100 with a 300i6. i took a bendix box off a 76 it had an automatic tranny . the box and pump bolted up fine. i cut 2.5 inches off the column on mine and it still wont bolt up with out getting in a bind when i steer . anybody know of a column that will work in a 69 f100 with a bendix power steering box and have a somewhat direct bolt up .