Highboy power steering
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,948
Likes: 44
Yes the stock HB can accomodate x-over steering. You will have to get the pitman arm as close to the frame as possible to prevent the spring from coming into contact with the arm during suspension cycles. A little bit of lift helps here, but the spring does not flex all that much in stock form so you are safe.
As far as the spacers, you must make some sort of rigid stand that attaches to the frame securely. Spacers alone will not let you get the box tight enough and eventually it will move, loosten up and break off, or even tear the frame.
Some make splates, that bolt to the frame, and weld some stand off's to the plate.
Anything will work, but you cant use washers or something like that. You need some reasonable clamping force, and loose spacers are not going to make it happen.
As far as the spacers, you must make some sort of rigid stand that attaches to the frame securely. Spacers alone will not let you get the box tight enough and eventually it will move, loosten up and break off, or even tear the frame.
Some make splates, that bolt to the frame, and weld some stand off's to the plate.
Anything will work, but you cant use washers or something like that. You need some reasonable clamping force, and loose spacers are not going to make it happen.
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 15,014
Likes: 35
From: Semper Fi tell I die!
[quote=Action4478;7220864]I put a chevy box on mine ..not much modification
[url=http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2097335870100331771SnSyxt[/QUOTE]
AWSOME! i wanan do this! then i can ditch that crap ford pump too!!! thanks guy! this will help me a ton!
[url=http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2097335870100331771SnSyxt[/QUOTE]
AWSOME! i wanan do this! then i can ditch that crap ford pump too!!! thanks guy! this will help me a ton!
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 15,014
Likes: 35
From: Semper Fi tell I die!
The highboy has always had a poor steering design. It requires a little frame modification to install a 4 bolt 78/9 power steering box, but this looks clean and can be a real positive upgrade.
I chose to upgrade to x-over and use a saginaw box as well as a saginaw pump.
Easy to mount and pleasant to drive.
I chose to upgrade to x-over and use a saginaw box as well as a saginaw pump.
Easy to mount and pleasant to drive.
do you have pictures of the inside of the frame on this? or and install photos? i wanna do this but keep it as push pull for now.
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Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
70 highboy
im in the middle of putting p/s on my 70 highboy. im using the 3 bolt box off a 79 f150. it a fairly easy swap from wat i can tell . i had the throw of the box reversed by the guys at psc for 185 bucks. seems the only problem is going to be the pump place ment you guys have any input
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
From: Astoria Oregon
ok so I can get a 3 bolt ford box for cheap on my 72 f250 4x4 and I have a 2wd p/s box from a cheby but im confused on what to do for a pump.. when using a saginaw box what pump and brackets will work with either a 390 or 460 ( not sure witch one im using yet).. same question for a 3 bolt ford box.. any passenger cars or other trucks with pumps and brackets that will work with these motor and p/s box combos??
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 933
Likes: 0
From: Lawrenceville, Ga
Make damn SURE the steering gear bolts that retain the gearbox to the frame are tight.
Ford had a major problem with these trucks.
When the bolts work loose, the gearbox wiggles around.
Sooner or later, the frame CRACKS.
I kid you not!
2WD, 4WD...M/S or P/S...it makes no difference, this problem affected them all.
There was no Ford fix, no recall. Ford later came out with longer grade 8 bolts.
Dealers welded up the frame, then welded on "homemade" re-inforcement plates.
Ford had a major problem with these trucks.
When the bolts work loose, the gearbox wiggles around.
Sooner or later, the frame CRACKS.
I kid you not!
2WD, 4WD...M/S or P/S...it makes no difference, this problem affected them all.
There was no Ford fix, no recall. Ford later came out with longer grade 8 bolts.
Dealers welded up the frame, then welded on "homemade" re-inforcement plates.
But anyways, I have a couple questions even after doing much research! I have a 1979 F250 4x4 with a 460/c6 from a 71-72 passenger car. I understand what I want can be found in Ford vans but..
1) Is it possible my engine has a Saginaw pump already on it?
2) Am I correct in thinking I can find ALL the parts I need to convert my FORD P/S pump to a Saginaw P/S pump on "any year" Econoline with a 460?
3) Will the stuff from a van with a 351w or 302 work?
I'm attempting to piece together my own full hydraulic steering and a Saginaw is a must. Thanks for the help!
