A noob power steering question.
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New User
Joined: Oct 2007
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A noob power steering question.
Hello all, I am new to the forums and the hod rod/classic truck scene. I should be picking up my first truck this week or the next, a solid 56 f100. And hope to start my first project over the winter. The first project being the addition of a power steering system. The armstong power steering just aint gonna do it for me, after years of having cars with power steering. Now on to the question. After looking at some parts sites I see that midfifty caries a toyota power steering kit. What I do not see is if you are able to use this kit with the stock front end or must you also replace the front end with something like a volare or ltd? Thanks for any help you can offer.
Last edited by hippykiller56f100; Oct 8, 2007 at 02:28 AM.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,575
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From: Greenville, SC
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
Likes: 13
From: Littleton, New Hampshire
Welcome to FTE. Before you decide what PS to use you need to decide what front suspension you will use. If you go with a frame graft like an LTD or Volare the PS will be built in. The Toyota kit would be of use only if you have decided to keep the original stright axle. I used a Volare under my F-3 and the Chrysler PS works very well. 
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Originally Posted by Walston
I was also wondering about the power steering pump. The Toyota pump is obviously out of the question since it bolts to the front of a Toyota block. Also what about a front suspintion rebuild kit for the 56? Does someone make those and the parts easy to find?
Last edited by hippykiller56f100; Oct 8, 2007 at 10:52 AM. Reason: spelling
Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 217
Likes: 19
From: Central NC
Another consideration is If you wish to retain the stock steering column...
The Toyota conversion will allow you to do that, but modifications are needed to the column and also modifications to the horn switch... an external switch.
You can use aftermarket columns or swap a boneyard column...
One option if you are going to modify or swap columns... Rack and Pinion...
there are systems for the straight axle...
If you wish to keep the stock column and steering box and front axle, there is a ram assist setup also available. there has been discussion of the 'feel' of this system over the toyota box... a pressure regulator could help with that issue, along with a good tight stock steering box.
so many roads, so many paths...
The Toyota conversion will allow you to do that, but modifications are needed to the column and also modifications to the horn switch... an external switch.
You can use aftermarket columns or swap a boneyard column...
One option if you are going to modify or swap columns... Rack and Pinion...
there are systems for the straight axle...
If you wish to keep the stock column and steering box and front axle, there is a ram assist setup also available. there has been discussion of the 'feel' of this system over the toyota box... a pressure regulator could help with that issue, along with a good tight stock steering box.
so many roads, so many paths...
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New User
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Thanks for all the help guys. Things seem much clearer to me now. One more thing though, once i have a power steering pump I can bolt to my engine, how is it powered? Would you use multiple belts or a single serpentine style belt?
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Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,575
Likes: 36
From: Greenville, SC
You need a pump and bracket for a Y-block. There is also a special plug bolt that screws through the bracket into the water pump. Then you need a pulley that bolts onto the harmonic balancer (main pulley on the crankshaft). This adds another belt to the engine to drive the power steering pump. Be careful, there are water pumps for cars that are shorter than the truck version and there are brackets for cars and brackets for trucks, you need the truck version.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...=93895&width=0
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...=93894&width=0
The hoses are the next complication, you need a set that can go from a Ford Pump to a Toyota box, they are sold by several of the suppliers. CPP, Mid Fifty, Sacramento Vintage Ford, etc.
Good Luck
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...=93895&width=0
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...=93894&width=0
The hoses are the next complication, you need a set that can go from a Ford Pump to a Toyota box, they are sold by several of the suppliers. CPP, Mid Fifty, Sacramento Vintage Ford, etc.
Good Luck
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
Gotta Show also sells a set of low profile SS braided hoses that are just the ticket if the clearance between lines and header are tight. Not cheap but very well made. Make sure to get the return line fitting with the box. The pressure side fitting is a fairly standard 16mm inverted flare, and it is possible a over the counter hose may be used, the return side is a unique 17mm fitting which will require a special adapter fitting like is in the MF et al kits or a custom made fitting like in the GS kit. Someone here made their own adapter fitting by drilling and tapping the stock fitting to accept a -AN to 1/4" pipe right angle fitting.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: S.C.
Hey HippyKiller...I gotta sat I love the user name!
I have come up with some not so usual ways of doing things in the past. I bought my Toyota setup from a Canadian salvage yard thru ebay. I-did-it chrome column, pitman arm and other brackets from Walton Fabrication...but I mounted everything a little different than most. I used the steering pump and reserve that were originally with the Toyota...reserve is mounted on driver's inner fender near radiator, pump is "piggy-backed on top of generator with a custom mount and a double generator pulley and even used the Toy. pulley and tensioner. When you do yours just remember...you can do almost anything when you start customizing your ride!!!
see pic below...later, Ed
I have come up with some not so usual ways of doing things in the past. I bought my Toyota setup from a Canadian salvage yard thru ebay. I-did-it chrome column, pitman arm and other brackets from Walton Fabrication...but I mounted everything a little different than most. I used the steering pump and reserve that were originally with the Toyota...reserve is mounted on driver's inner fender near radiator, pump is "piggy-backed on top of generator with a custom mount and a double generator pulley and even used the Toy. pulley and tensioner. When you do yours just remember...you can do almost anything when you start customizing your ride!!!
see pic below...later, Ed
Elder User
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 572
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From: Sacramento area
e william
I surly don`t want to hijack this thread. But I have a question.
Could you comment on the front shack mounts I see in the
previous reply. Did you make the brackets? Buy? Any info
greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Gary
I surly don`t want to hijack this thread. But I have a question.
Could you comment on the front shack mounts I see in the
previous reply. Did you make the brackets? Buy? Any info
greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Gary