I have a 54 with stock straight axle. I want it to steer easier. I was wondering if the mustang pwer steering (ram) could be modified to work. I've seen the ads for Toyota gearbox ect, would prefer keeping it FoMaCo. Thanks Kurt G.

 

There is a kit marketed from most of the vendors, but in many instances (mine) delivery was L O N G ... they may have that fixed now.

I have not installed yet, but looks fine.

Some have stated if the original gearbox is on the edge of wear this is not the best way to go, but you can at least retain the stock look and column.

if you are willing to modify your stock column or install a different column, then the toyota is a widely used system.

There is also a rack and pinion that is mounted to the stock axle... good luck

 

Hi Kurt,

Have you seen the ram power assist kits available for your truck? They use the ram style that was available on late 50s through 70s ford products. The valve assembly is connected to the drag link. These kits are expensive, $899.00 from Mid Fifty F100 Parts. The kit does not include any brackets or the p.s. pump. I have not heard of anyone adapting the mustang setup to a truck.

 

I'll check to see if I still have my ram PS unit.

 

I just want to bring up a instance I encountered last week in Nashville, TN. I have a friend who bought a 53 ford that had been restored mild custom a few years ago. He let me drive the truck after looking it over. It drove wonderful and steered wonderful. I asked him what type of p/s did the truck have and he said none. I had to stop and get out and see for myself. The truck had straight axle, rebuilt king pins, single mono-leaves, flathead and a rebuilt steering box. I mean you could be stopped on asphalt and steer this truck and seriously think it had power steering. Some older people that drove these trucks when they were new said that this truck drove better than new ones did. Just another option, but I would seriously consider this method on a future project.

 

After driving it for a couple K miles home, the first thing I did on Gracie was to remove the ram assist PS. First it depends on the stock steering box, if it has any wear to it (mine did) the slop is amplified by the ram setup. Didn't make sense to me to rebuild the antique design steering box since I wanted to change the column and wheel anyways. The ram system is rather disconcerting to drive if you are used to late model power steering. With LM PS the power assist is propotional, negligable at neutral and increases the further you move the wheel. With the ram assist there is a numb area at neutral that does nothing (much like a worn steering box) then gives the same full assist throughout the range, which makes the vehicle darty and jumpy on the highway.
Between the control box and steering box wear I had ~ 1/4 turn freeplay at neutral, then sudden assist. In heavy freeway traffic with 18 wheelers thru the mountains the truck would suddenly move over 1/2 a lane by itself, and needed nearly constant sawing of the wheel to keep in the lane. NOT a fun drive! My wife who is an autocross driving champion, actually started turning green thru the Blue Ridge mountains.

 

My 54 has had a sedatary life. My father was PO and he gave me the truck in 02. In order to get it home I had to literaly round up an engine, he took it apart in 78 and never put it back together. Before that it had a down time of maybe 5 yrs. Kingpins and tie rod ends had been replaced right before that. Steering column has no play but is tight to turn. I have never checked worm gear adjustment though. My first truck was a 55 that I got in 77 that thing had more than 1/2 turn play. That and being 16 was 1 reason that I only had it 2 yrs.
Ghall I have a set of t-bird manifolds that i still need to put on but I worry about clearance with Toyota box.
Merten I have not seen those, but I have heard of them.
Gman let me know if you have one. If it was on your truck I'd like to see some pictures.
Thanks guys Kurt G.

 

Had that ram assist ford product, on two 69 mustangs and one 68 ranchero it had issues on each product. Its nice to keep it all ford, Maybe a later integral PS box can be found in newer ford trucks. But the toyota box is proven, fits in well and will be a lot simpler and have a lot less clutter compared to the ram assist system.