I have no plans to do anything with my truck's steering, especially nothing so counterintuitive as this, but I've been curious.

I have an '83 F150 with a 4.9 and a C6 transmission. Obviously, it has factory power steering. My question would be: How would I get rid of power steering? Of course the pump wouldn't be needed, but would the steering column/front axle/etc. be able to hold up to manual steering, even though it was designed for power steering? I know a lot of work needs to be done to go from manual to power, but is it less work the other way around?

Also, what if my power steering gives out entirely (as a mechanical failure)? Would it effectively become manual steering and be safe to continue driving in an emergency, or would things get ruined?

 

Usually power steering box will have fewer turns lock to lock (a quicker ratio) because of the hydraulic assist.It will steer if the hydraulics go out but will be much harder when sitting still ounce you get moving it's not to bad. Converting to manual steering is easy if you can find the correct steering box and probably a larger diameter steering wheel. Believe it or not Ford didn't even offer power steering on the 3/4 4x4 until 73. I had a 70 and it was a real pain going slow off road.

 

Why on earth would you WANT manual steering? Especially in a truck?

 

I have manual steering on mine, it's not so bad, parallel parking is a bit of a workout but I'm not too wimpy so can manage lol. Probably worth checking but surely the columns etc would be the same for PAS and non PAS? One thing I will say though is that sometimes it feels like I'm gonna bend the skinny steering wheel when shunting or parking.

You americans have had it too good for too long (kidding - I did however read an article in Classic American (a UK based mag for yank car enthusiasts) which dated all of the american automotive breakthroughs that we take for granted, such as electronic ABS in 1969! Hats off.

 

you should try driving a military duce and a half (old school ) no power steering at all. you got to be superman to park that thing. oh yeah its a stick too. if you crank the steering wheel all the way then take off the sterring wheel will spin to the straigt position so fast i saw a guy break his thumb.

 

I changed my steering box to manual on my '83 F250 460 C6. I only changed out the steering box. Everything fits right up. I pulled mine from a 1980 F100 truck. I used the pitman arm from the 1980. Steering link hooked up no problems also. It is more "work" parking. It does help clean up the engine compartment.

One thing, make sure you remove the pump. On mine, the belt also went around the water pump and I left it on. A little later, the pump seized.

Dave

 

is the steering ratio (lock to lock) any different than that of a power steering box?

 

You may also need a realignment. I was talking to a 30 year technician about manual and power steering (because my 87 F-150 (sold) steering was scary on the highway) and he said that the non P/S vehicles were aligned for ease of turning (turn more on the nose of the tire) and P/S vehicles were aligned for stability (turn more on the rear of the tires).

He was a Chrysler technician, so I don't know if such things went on with Fords, too.