Front end questions?
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 146
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From: West Point, UT
Front end questions?
Hey,
I have a 1976 f250 frame with a 1978 F150 body. I originally thought the previous owner had put a different front end in the truck because it has disc brakes. I found out yesterday that the 76 and new 4x4's came standard with disc brakes so it may be the original front end. Did these trucks in 76 come factory with power steering? Just wondering because it looks like it may have been added but I'm not sure. Also is there suppose to be a steering stabilizer on here?
-Destin
Is that stock? ^
I have a 1976 f250 frame with a 1978 F150 body. I originally thought the previous owner had put a different front end in the truck because it has disc brakes. I found out yesterday that the 76 and new 4x4's came standard with disc brakes so it may be the original front end. Did these trucks in 76 come factory with power steering? Just wondering because it looks like it may have been added but I'm not sure. Also is there suppose to be a steering stabilizer on here?
-Destin
Is that stock? ^
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 788
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From: Cascade, ID
That appears to be a 2x power box. In '76 they had ram assist power steering that utilized the manual box to control a "switch" in the drag link that added hydraulic power to the ram. That bracket on the axle held one end of the ram. The other end was held by a "eye-bolt" in that hole in your tie-rod. It is not a very confidence inspiring set-up at speed. What you have probably works 10x better. I have been tempted with the same set-up on mine. I didn't think it would clear the pump on the top side, but I have heard of a few people doing this so it must fit. How does it drive?
If you want to get rid of that bracket on the axle I could use it on one of my trucks. I have a factory steering stabilizer bracket I would trade to you.
If you want to get rid of that bracket on the axle I could use it on one of my trucks. I have a factory steering stabilizer bracket I would trade to you.
More Turbo
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 601
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That appears to be a 2x power box. In '76 they had ram assist power steering that utilized the manual box to control a "switch" in the drag link that added hydraulic power to the ram. That bracket on the axle held one end of the ram. The other end was held by a "eye-bolt" in that hole in your tie-rod. It is not a very confidence inspiring set-up at speed. What you have probably works 10x better. I have been tempted with the same set-up on mine. I didn't think it would clear the pump on the top side, but I have heard of a few people doing this so it must fit. How does it drive?
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 146
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From: West Point, UT
It drives pretty good with 35's on it. It seems to wander just a little but it's manageable and I'm not sure if that has much to do with the tire size or not. With that being said I'm not sure what normal feels like with these trucks. I drove a stock f250 when I was a kid but thats been nearly 14 years. Overall I'm pretty happy with it but I think it could be a little better. It is very easy to steer and back into parking spots which I know can be a bear with manual steering.
Scottfreeman, are you saying I am suppose to have a steering stabilizer and I just need a different axle bracket? If so I'd be interested in trading you.
-Destin
Scottfreeman, are you saying I am suppose to have a steering stabilizer and I just need a different axle bracket? If so I'd be interested in trading you.
-Destin
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8,261
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From: Big Sky Country
The 73-77.5 power assist steering does get an undeserved bad rap imo, if maintained and repaired when needed it functions just perfectly, any piece of equipment that's been neglected over three decades is going to be a pile of crap, the blame lies with not with the power assist steering but the neglectful owner's over the years.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 788
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From: Cascade, ID
Neglect
I would send you a pick of the stock get-up, but we lost our "adapter-deal" (official technical term) for the memory card for my camera to download pics to the computer.
It may steer fine with the funky assist drag-link-switch set-up. But......It can be so much better. I have not had the privilege of driving a fresh set-up. I know that the ones I have driven are pretty vague on the return-to-center feel. I got mine a year ago and it turns fairly easily, not as easily as my half ton with the same size tires (I even run ATF to help). My half ton with integral steering has been very heavily modified to perform better. It has a definite return-to-center feel, I like that feeling when driving corners hard. The "assisted" set-up feels like it is floating along in a daze.
I personally am going to convert to the integral box and hook the ram to it to have assisted integral power steering. Should make turning the big tires an easier job for the box to handle.
It may steer fine with the funky assist drag-link-switch set-up. But......It can be so much better. I have not had the privilege of driving a fresh set-up. I know that the ones I have driven are pretty vague on the return-to-center feel. I got mine a year ago and it turns fairly easily, not as easily as my half ton with the same size tires (I even run ATF to help). My half ton with integral steering has been very heavily modified to perform better. It has a definite return-to-center feel, I like that feeling when driving corners hard. The "assisted" set-up feels like it is floating along in a daze.
I personally am going to convert to the integral box and hook the ram to it to have assisted integral power steering. Should make turning the big tires an easier job for the box to handle.
