Steering Column Differences?
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Steering Column Differences?
Hey guys,
Truck in question: '76 Supercab 2wd
I'm swapping in a '75 manual steering box (and my truck is 2wd, not 4wd....) to replace my power assist system, and I have the box bolted to the frame, but there's a several inch gap between shaft on the box and the steering column output shaft. It appears as though the power steering box was a bit longer to accomodate this difference.
Does anyone know what steering column I should get to bolt up to the manual box? Will any 2wd manual steering cosumn in the 73-79 range work? Has anyone had this swapped before?
Thanks!
Justin
Truck in question: '76 Supercab 2wd
I'm swapping in a '75 manual steering box (and my truck is 2wd, not 4wd....) to replace my power assist system, and I have the box bolted to the frame, but there's a several inch gap between shaft on the box and the steering column output shaft. It appears as though the power steering box was a bit longer to accomodate this difference.
Does anyone know what steering column I should get to bolt up to the manual box? Will any 2wd manual steering cosumn in the 73-79 range work? Has anyone had this swapped before?
Thanks!
Justin
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Ok, so I had to do a bit of figuring and messing up myself, but I found out that the power steering column's shaft is indeed quite a bit shorter than the manual steering's.
I ended up having to get a column from an older (mid 70's) F100 swapped in there. The column I used was from one with a three speed shift on the column, which didn't match my 4-on-the-floor, but that didn't make a difference (other than the cosmetics.) I had a heck of a time getting my drag link separated from the Pitman arm! Even with a tie rod separator, it took forEVER! I also had to remove my oil filter (300ci 6cyl) and my clutch tension spring to allow room to remove and replace the box. Anyway, the project is almost back together. The steering feels WAY tighter than before...and I'm excited to not have any ridiculous steering whine or leaks!
Pics coming soon.
I ended up having to get a column from an older (mid 70's) F100 swapped in there. The column I used was from one with a three speed shift on the column, which didn't match my 4-on-the-floor, but that didn't make a difference (other than the cosmetics.) I had a heck of a time getting my drag link separated from the Pitman arm! Even with a tie rod separator, it took forEVER! I also had to remove my oil filter (300ci 6cyl) and my clutch tension spring to allow room to remove and replace the box. Anyway, the project is almost back together. The steering feels WAY tighter than before...and I'm excited to not have any ridiculous steering whine or leaks!
Pics coming soon.
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Just got it all back together - and I have a bit of advice that i learned the hard way:
Manual steering box conversion + Grant 13.5" steering wheel = terrible difficulty steering!
Looks like I have to go back with the stock wheel, the smaller Grant wheel just doesn't have the torque to move the wheels !
Manual steering box conversion + Grant 13.5" steering wheel = terrible difficulty steering!
Looks like I have to go back with the stock wheel, the smaller Grant wheel just doesn't have the torque to move the wheels !
More Turbo
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Butler Pa.
Just letting you know the shaft in the steering columns are interchangeable, you can pull one shaft out and put it in the better one. I used 1974 F-250 4X2 auto column in a 1975 F250 4X4.
ARMSTRONGFORDTRUCKS
ARMSTRONGFORDTRUCKS
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Still gotta take pics, but I reinstalled the stock wheel, and it's not too bad. Totally a change in the driving style, though! Lot more forethought involved, and elbow grease, but I really enjoy the feel of the manual steering on the highway.
