Need a Steering Coupler help please..
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 533
Likes: 7
From: Texas
Need a Steering Coupler help please..
I have a 79 F150 and I got a tilt column but the column did not have the rag joint and I can not find a rag joint for a tilt no way not at any of the auto part stores none of the local junk yards I can't even find on on ebay or googling it.
Can some body please help me and tell me where I can find one please.
Can some body please help me and tell me where I can find one please.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
1978/79 F100/350 2WD Steering Couplers (Rag Joints)
I have a 79 F150 and I got a tilt column but the column did not have the rag joint and I can not find a rag joint for a tilt no way not at any of the auto part stores none of the local junk yards I can't even find on on ebay or googling it.
Can some body please help me and tell me where I can find one please.
Can some body please help me and tell me where I can find one please.
The reason you cannot find a rag joint (steering coupler) for a tilt wheel is...
There is no such thing as a steering coupler (rag joint) for a tilt wheel only on any 1973/79 F100/350.
The same coupler was used with or without tilt wheel. The difference is whether the truck has manual (M/S) or power steering (P/S). The couplers are also year specific.
The steering column you got...what year is it for? 1973/77 columns are not the same as 1978/79's.
1978/79 2WD F100/350's used two different couplers:
D8TZ3A525A .. Use with P/S / Obsolete
GREEN SALES CO. in Cincinnati OH has FIVE: 800-543-4959.
PEROGIE ENTERPRISES in Hightown NJ has ONE: 609-448-1684.
-------------------------------------------------------------
D8TZ3A525D .. Use with M/S / Obsolete
PARTS INTERNATIONAL in Farmers Branch TX has ONE: 888-727-0418.
BOB ALLEN FORD in Overland Park KS has ONE: 800-676-0675.
KINSEL L/M in Beaumont TX has ONE: 800-816-2894.
No other Ford Dealer or obsolete parts vendor has either one.
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 533
Likes: 7
From: Texas
The reason you cannot find a rag joint (steering coupler) for a tilt wheel is...
There is no such thing as a steering coupler (rag joint) for a tilt wheel only on any 1973/79 F100/350.
The same coupler was used with or without tilt wheel. The difference is whether the truck has manual (M/S) or power steering (P/S). The couplers are also year specific.
The steering column you got...what year is it for? 1973/77 columns are not the same as 1978/79's.
1978/79 2WD F100/350's used two different couplers:
D8TZ3A525A .. Use with P/S / Obsolete
GREEN SALES CO. in Cincinnati OH has FIVE: 800-543-4959.
PEROGIE ENTERPRISES in Hightown NJ has ONE: 609-448-1684.
-------------------------------------------------------------
D8TZ3A525D .. Use with M/S / Obsolete
PARTS INTERNATIONAL in Farmers Branch TX has ONE: 888-727-0418.
BOB ALLEN FORD in Overland Park KS has ONE: 800-676-0675.
KINSEL L/M in Beaumont TX has ONE: 800-816-2894.
No other Ford Dealer or obsolete parts vendor has either one.
There is no such thing as a steering coupler (rag joint) for a tilt wheel only on any 1973/79 F100/350.
The same coupler was used with or without tilt wheel. The difference is whether the truck has manual (M/S) or power steering (P/S). The couplers are also year specific.
The steering column you got...what year is it for? 1973/77 columns are not the same as 1978/79's.
1978/79 2WD F100/350's used two different couplers:
D8TZ3A525A .. Use with P/S / Obsolete
GREEN SALES CO. in Cincinnati OH has FIVE: 800-543-4959.
PEROGIE ENTERPRISES in Hightown NJ has ONE: 609-448-1684.
-------------------------------------------------------------
D8TZ3A525D .. Use with M/S / Obsolete
PARTS INTERNATIONAL in Farmers Branch TX has ONE: 888-727-0418.
BOB ALLEN FORD in Overland Park KS has ONE: 800-676-0675.
KINSEL L/M in Beaumont TX has ONE: 800-816-2894.
No other Ford Dealer or obsolete parts vendor has either one.
This is how the end of my old None tilt column looks like
and this is the end of the new tilt column
I need a rag joint that is 30 spline double 3/4 ended
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
What is different is the lower steering shaft itself. With or without a tilt wheel makes a difference.
What is the lower shaft from? What year is the column? 1973/77 is not the same as 1978/79. Anything from 1980 and later is not the same as '78/79.
The problem is...the steering column you bought (from you know who) is prolly the wrong one for your truck, or has been pieced together.
The entire tilt mechanism fits at the top of the column underneath the upper flange.
What does that have to do with the steering coupler?
Nothing. That only affects the length of the lower steering shaft.
btw: I read the response the seller told you (on another site) when you asked the coupler. He told you to use one from late 1960's T-Bird.
Ask yourself this: If the column is supposed to be correct for a '78/79, why would you need to use a coupler from a '60's T-Bird when Ford made couplers specifically for this application?
Something smells...and it ain't hay.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
Likes: 28
From: Northern California
Yeah, and that's the problem 1973-1977 and 1978-1979 are different... hmmm...
Reason why they are different I'm thinking between the two.
If it's a 1978-1979 column then it uses this coupler as numberdummy stated.
D8TZ3A525A .. Use with P/S
Reason why they are different I'm thinking between the two.
If it's a 1978-1979 column then it uses this coupler as numberdummy stated.
D8TZ3A525A .. Use with P/S
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Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,956
Likes: 10
From: MD
Tilt steering was not available on F-series until 1978.
My pickup has a tilt column, and it employs the same parts as one without. I hunted parts # and they are the same.
This illustration is for tilt column, auto. trans., 2wd.
This illustration is for tilt column, auto. trans., 4wd.
A picture of an actual steering coupler. This is from my pickup - 1978 F-150 2wd with automatic.
My pickup has a tilt column, and it employs the same parts as one without. I hunted parts # and they are the same.
This illustration is for tilt column, auto. trans., 2wd.
This illustration is for tilt column, auto. trans., 4wd.
A picture of an actual steering coupler. This is from my pickup - 1978 F-150 2wd with automatic.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
Likes: 28
From: Northern California
I was thinking he might have had a 1973-1977 column, and changing it with a 1978-1979 tilt column, or even one from the 1980's which is also different.
NUMBERDUMMY: btw: I read the response the seller told you (on another site) when you asked the coupler. He told you to use one from late 1960's T-Bird.
Ask yourself this: If the column is supposed to be correct for a '78/79, why would you need to use a coupler from a '60's T-Bird when Ford made couplers specifically for this application?
Something smells...and it ain't hay.
Ask yourself this: If the column is supposed to be correct for a '78/79, why would you need to use a coupler from a '60's T-Bird when Ford made couplers specifically for this application?
Something smells...and it ain't hay.
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 533
Likes: 7
From: Texas
I'm sorry to tell you this: They are not different.
What is different is the lower steering shaft itself. With or without a tilt wheel makes a difference.
What is the lower shaft from? What year is the column? 1973/77 is not the same as 1978/79. Anything from 1980 and later is not the same as '78/79.
The problem is...the steering column you bought (from you know who) is prolly the wrong one for your truck, or has been pieced together.
The entire tilt mechanism fits at the top of the column underneath the upper flange.
What does that have to do with the steering coupler?
Nothing. That only affects the length of the lower steering shaft.
btw: I read the response the seller told you (on another site) when you asked the coupler. He told you to use one from late 1960's T-Bird.
Ask yourself this: If the column is supposed to be correct for a '78/79, why would you need to use a coupler from a '60's T-Bird when Ford made couplers specifically for this application?
Something smells...and it ain't hay.
What is different is the lower steering shaft itself. With or without a tilt wheel makes a difference.
What is the lower shaft from? What year is the column? 1973/77 is not the same as 1978/79. Anything from 1980 and later is not the same as '78/79.
The problem is...the steering column you bought (from you know who) is prolly the wrong one for your truck, or has been pieced together.
The entire tilt mechanism fits at the top of the column underneath the upper flange.
What does that have to do with the steering coupler?
Nothing. That only affects the length of the lower steering shaft.
btw: I read the response the seller told you (on another site) when you asked the coupler. He told you to use one from late 1960's T-Bird.
Ask yourself this: If the column is supposed to be correct for a '78/79, why would you need to use a coupler from a '60's T-Bird when Ford made couplers specifically for this application?
Something smells...and it ain't hay.
What am I supposed to do...
I paid allot of money of this....
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
Chad...(jermafenser)...better get out your parts catalog and take a look here: Section 35, page 7.
The steering column parts are not the same with a tilt column or without.
Here's one example, I could prolly find more (3509-3514 mast jacket is another example, 3530 shroud is another.) EDIT: The A/T shift tube (7212) is different with/without tilt.
1978/79 F100/350 2WD: D8TZ3524A .. Steering Shaft-32 5/16" long / Use WITH Tilt column.
1973/79 F100/350 2WD: D3TZ3524D .. Steering Shaft-33 3/8" long / Use with P/S WITHOUT Tilt column.
1976/79 F100/350 2WD: D6TZ3524A .. Steering Shaft / Use with manual steering.
1973/75 F100/350 2WD: D3TZ3524C .. Steering Shaft-36 1/8" long / Use with manual steering.
For those unaware: The tilt wheel was not available with manual steering.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
TheNomad:...I know what I would do...ask for the money back, or have the seller send the CORRECT TILT WHEEL steering column.
IMO...the one you received is a hash job!
The steering column parts are not the same with a tilt column or without.
Here's one example, I could prolly find more (3509-3514 mast jacket is another example, 3530 shroud is another.) EDIT: The A/T shift tube (7212) is different with/without tilt.
1978/79 F100/350 2WD: D8TZ3524A .. Steering Shaft-32 5/16" long / Use WITH Tilt column.
1973/79 F100/350 2WD: D3TZ3524D .. Steering Shaft-33 3/8" long / Use with P/S WITHOUT Tilt column.
1976/79 F100/350 2WD: D6TZ3524A .. Steering Shaft / Use with manual steering.
1973/75 F100/350 2WD: D3TZ3524C .. Steering Shaft-36 1/8" long / Use with manual steering.
For those unaware: The tilt wheel was not available with manual steering.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
TheNomad:...I know what I would do...ask for the money back, or have the seller send the CORRECT TILT WHEEL steering column.
IMO...the one you received is a hash job!
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,956
Likes: 10
From: MD
I meant to say COUPLER not PARTS. Damn typos and damn timed edits! I meant the couplers are the same, tilt or fixed. You are correct that quite a few parts differ between tilt/fixed columns.
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 533
Likes: 7
From: Texas
Does any one know how I can get this to work? any way?