1966 FORD F100 4X2, THE TRUCK BELONGED TO MY HUSBANDS DAD, HE IS 82, AND BOUGHT IT NEW. MY HUSBAND ALWAYS WANTED THE TRUCK BUT HIS DAD WOULDN'T GIVE IT UP, FINALLY IN 1979 HE TRADED HIM A BRAND NEW 1979 FORD TRUCK FOR IT. WE WENT ON OUR FIRST DATE IN THIS TRUCK. NEEDLESS TO SAY THIS BABY IS SPECIAL...WE NEED SOME EXPERTISE IN FINDING AND IDENTIFYING PARTS, SUPPLIERS, ECT....THE PART WE NEED GOES RIGHT ABOVE THE STEERING COUPLER, I FOUND A SCHEMATIC ON LINE THAT SAYS IT IS PART NO. 3524 WITH A NOTE THAT SAYS REFER TO TEXT GROUP 3A526. NOT SURE WHERE TO GO TO FIND THE PART 3524 OR IF 3A526 MEANS IT IS A COUPLER ASSEMBLY AND I HAVE TO BUY IT THAT WAY. AND IF I DO WHERE DO I FIND THAT?

 

IT IS A RAG JOINT! WE FOUND THE PART ON Chevy Car Parts | Vintage - GMC Car, Classic Truck Parts THEY ALSO HAVE A FORD 1948-1986 ON LINE CATOLOG BEST ONE WE HAVE SEEN SO FAR

 

First and foremost like to welcome you and hubbie to the fellowship of Ford truck enthusiast. Wow, it's great when the truck has sentimental value; first date, and that the truck has been a long term member of the extended family, life is good.

Suggest first decide if going with the power steering upgrade, the 65-66 coupling (rag joint) aint cheap and likely will not fit if you decide to go with a later model steering column. Went with the upgrade on my 65 F100, which has a 4 speed (floor shift), so replacing the steering column was not an issue.

That being said, I would first check with local auto parts store, found if the local NAPA parts store does not have the item they can get it for me within 24hrs. Like to purchase parts from FTE sponsored supplier's when possible, however, rubber bumpers, window gaskets, weatherstrip, etc. I order from Dennis Carpenter, little more expensive but worth it. Suggest go to Ford Parts supplier's websites and order their catalog, many are free, and handy to have onhand. For info purposes, I don't order online before contacting supplier to find if the item is in stock, too many times found the project was in holding pattern while the part was backordered.

The link posted below, Classic Auto Parts, use to be called 'Obsolete Ford Parts', had to change the name after numerous threats by FoMoCo. Anyhow, although it's been some time since needed to purchase truck parts, they sold quality merchandise and only supplier I know of, off hand, that carries the item. I am sure other members will be posting additional sources. From the 'home' page go to ' 48-79 bronco and pickup', then either go the the 'steering' section and scroll down to the coupling, or in the search window enter the C5TZ-3A525-A. Again, suggest first check locally, likely lot cheaper, particularly if needing item while deciding on upgrade.

Rambled on enough, again welcome and don't hesitate to post pic's and questions.

C5TZ-3A525-A

http://www.classicautoparts.com/

 

Welcome to FTE

Better schematic = For $22.00 you can buy a CD copy of the 1964/72 FORD TRUCK PARTS CATALOG from hipoparts.com.

When you get it, go here: ILLUSTRATION SECTION 35 / PAGE 8 / The entire steering column and all the parts are shown.

The following info is taken directly from the 1964/72 Ford truck parts catalog.

1966 = There are TWO different rag joints (steering couplers), not one. And...3524 is the steering post, not the coupler.

1965/66 F100/250 2WD.

C5TZ3A525A all 1965's & 1966's before serial number 900,001 / Larger pin is .41" O.D. / OBSOLETE / No longer available from Ford.

C6TZ3A525A / 1966 after serial # 900,001 / Larger pin is .56" O.D. / STILL available from Ford.

MSRP: $69.85 / FTEpartsguy.com price: $50.29

The serial number is the last 6 digits of the VIN.

 

Those rag joints or steering couplers definately arent cheap...but boy do they make a world of difference in driving...Mine had all but left the bldg when I brought my truck out of storage a few yrs back...with 10' cab over camper too...When I saw that it was on the verge of total failure I thanked my lucky stars....no rag joint...no driving...or a major catastrophe in the making.
Welcome to FTE...this site, as you will discover has more expertise in almost anything you would ever need on your truck. its saved my caboose more times then I can think of...



- cs65

 

Like to start by saying thankyou for the responses, We have the CD on the way! What we have found is our serial number is before 900001. The part we are looking for apparently is not the steering coupler (aka rag joint) but is a metal washer/flange that bolts to the coupler from the steering column/shaft. I think it also has to do with reducing vibration. The only ones we have found that shows it as part of the coupler is the IDIDIT coupler or the BORGESON. Not sure if this part is actually part of the shaft, does it come off or is it welded to the shaft.

 

Posting link for diag. only, not familiar w/ LMC Ford parts, anything look familiar.


LMC Truck Parts - Page 98

LMC Truck Parts - Page 99

 

THIS IS WHAT WE GOT FROM CLASSIC AUTO PARTS, BUT IT IS NOT THE ENTIRE THING, THIS END ATTACHES TO THE GEAR SHAFT, ON THE OTHER SIDE WHERE THE PINS ARE IS ANOTHER PART THAT ATTACHES THE COLUMN SHAFT TO THIS COUPLER...LOOK AT THE OTHER PICTURE BELOW THIS ONE
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 bg************ border=1><TBODY><TR><TD> </TD><TD wrap>STEERING COLUMN COUPING (GEAR SHAFT TO COLUMN SHAFT), EACH
<!-----------------------------------------------(GEAR SHAFT TO COLUMN SHAFT) ---------------------------------------------------->
1965 66 F100/250 (BEF SER
Ref#: C5TZ-3A525-A
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE RAG JOINT ON THE PICTURE BELOW, THE LEFT SIDE OF THE COUPLER IS WHAT YOU GET WHEN YOU ORDER THE STEERING COUPLER. THAT WE HAVE ALREADY, WHAT WE NEED IS THE RIGHT SIDE OF THIS, SHOWS METAL LIKE WASHER THAT IS CUT OUT AND BEVELED TO GO OVER THE PINS. THE PROBLEM WE HAVE WITH ORDERING THIS ONE IS IT SAYS IT IS FOR TILT STEERING WHEEL COLUMN, OUS IS STRAIGHT, ACTUALLY I DIDN'T THINK THEY EVEN MADE TILT COLUMN ON 66, AND IF IT WAS TILT COLUMN WOULDN'T YOU HAVE TO USE U-JOINT INSTEAD?

 

When I bought my '66, the plate at the bottom of the steering shaft, your "METAL LIKE WASHER THAT IS CUT OUT AND BEVELED TO GO OVER THE PINS", was severly damaged as the rag joint had failed and allowed the "pins" to wear away the notches in the plate. I pulled the shaft and took it to a welder who rebuilt the plate. If you look at the picture of rag joint part number 65-16670, on the catalog page you provided, the plate I'm talking about is on the right of the rag joint (it has a curved flange edge and slots for the pins).

 

Thank You To All Who Have Replied, We Gained A Lot Of Helpful Resources And Information
So We Just Want To Send Out A Big Wahoo To All Our Ford Peeps....