Adding power steering...parts?
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Senior User
Joined: May 2009
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From: Fayetteville, AR
Adding power steering...parts?
I plan on adding power steering to my '73 F-100 4x4. My guess is that I'll need the following probably from a salvage yard or something?
- Power steering pump
- bracket
- pulleys
- belt
- steering gear box?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2006
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Power steering brackets are specific to the engine that they are bolted to.
Other than this, you will just require some hoses to connect all of the above items together.
The appropriate steering box is a must, and the steering shaft may require some modification, or complete replacement from the donor vehicle.
Fairly srtaigh forward swap.
Other than this, you will just require some hoses to connect all of the above items together.
The appropriate steering box is a must, and the steering shaft may require some modification, or complete replacement from the donor vehicle.
Fairly srtaigh forward swap.
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Senior User
Joined: May 2009
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From: Fayetteville, AR
I located the pump, bracket, steering column, and gear box from a '76 F-100 4x4 with a 360. Apparently the '76 is the first year they offered power steering in 4x4 models. Will these part bolt up to my '73 F-100 4x4?
I was told that the diameter of the steering columns are different b/wn my '73 and the '76. The column has to be changed out b/c the power steering models used a shorter column due to the pump. Also, I could have a welder shorten my column.
One guy even told me that the frames on the '73 year trucks were the only year they used that frame and it changed the following year so I'd have to do some modding to get any gearbox to fit.
Is any of this true?
I was told that the diameter of the steering columns are different b/wn my '73 and the '76. The column has to be changed out b/c the power steering models used a shorter column due to the pump. Also, I could have a welder shorten my column.
One guy even told me that the frames on the '73 year trucks were the only year they used that frame and it changed the following year so I'd have to do some modding to get any gearbox to fit.
Is any of this true?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 796
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From: Minnesota
My 75 F100 4x4 came with the power assist steering, with the slave cylinder and a control valve. Very hard to find parts and expensive. I used a 79 truck steering box but had to have the worm gear switched out so it would turn the other way. Then used a different drag link. There is a tech article on this site about it. Did it that way but didn't use the bracket to the frame. Just drilled new holes. Works very well. Steers better than it ever did. I believe the 76 has a y steering setup on it for the linkage. The older ones are a different linkage setup. Not sure what the 76 has for a pitman arm setup and what the steering box it like. They used the y steering setup from 76 to 78 I believe. I think the 79 might be closer to what you need and its a bigger stronger setup too. Not sure about the frames.
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Senior User
Joined: May 2009
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From: Fayetteville, AR
I found on page 103 of the LMC catalog that they have the control valves for the power assist steering and what looks like the rest of the parts I would need to complete this setup. I know it's not as desirable as the integral power steering but seems it will require no modification to install. Anything is better than manual steering + 33x12.50's!!!
More Turbo
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From: Butler Pa.
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Senior User
Joined: May 2009
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From: Fayetteville, AR
For real?!?
I've never had a vehicle with power assist. So it's really that bad, huh?
I've never had a vehicle with power assist. So it's really that bad, huh?
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2006
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Not really that the power assist is bad, it is just that it is troublesome, and expensive. Replacement parts are getting a little harder to find, and the system just has too many moving parts. So many hoses, and a valve that can be a bit fickle, and the leaks, of the leaks.
Dont let me paint too bad oof a picture here. SOme systems work for years, and some dont. I fall into the category of the guys that have had failures, and I have had nore than one.
Power assist is 30 year old technology that is not longer used. Ever question why? I have. I suppose if a true factory correct upgrade is what your intent was, then it has its place, but I prefer good solid steering with no compromise.
Reliability is pretty important to me.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 796
Likes: 1
From: Minnesota
I think all you need is a 79 steering box and have a place that rebuilds these put a different worm gear so it will turn the way you need it. I think the drag link I bought was for a manual steering like you already have and I had to notch out the lower radiator mount a little for clearance. I used the original pitman arm off my original box. Then get a power steering pump and hoses and then you are set. The power assist was ok when it was newer but there are a lot of hoses and things that can go wrong and parts are hard to come by.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2006
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Why not just get the appropriate box?
The 78/9 box is a 4 bolt box that mounts inside of the frame. This is for F250 trucks, and is not commonly used in the 150 trucks.
A later 3 bolt F150 or bronco box (78/9) is the box that is required to upgrade to powr steering.
I believe that the OP questiond whether this would be a direct bolt in swap.
As far as a bolt for bolt swap, I am not sure, but every box that I have ever used like this was pretty easy to install.
An example of a 3 bolt box used in a power steering conversion.
Cheap and easy......
The 78/9 box is a 4 bolt box that mounts inside of the frame. This is for F250 trucks, and is not commonly used in the 150 trucks.
A later 3 bolt F150 or bronco box (78/9) is the box that is required to upgrade to powr steering.
I believe that the OP questiond whether this would be a direct bolt in swap.
As far as a bolt for bolt swap, I am not sure, but every box that I have ever used like this was pretty easy to install.
An example of a 3 bolt box used in a power steering conversion.
Cheap and easy......
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 796
Likes: 1
From: Minnesota
I got mine from a 79 bronco but if his steering is the same as my 75 F-100 4x4 you have to change the worm gear because it is opposite of the steering above. Here is a pic of mine on my 75. I used one of the original bolt holes but had to drill the other two. The drag link is a little close to the frame. I can't run the grease sert but works ok for me. It is the stock height, no lift kit. 
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Senior User
Joined: May 2009
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From: Fayetteville, AR
It looks like you used the original top bolt hole, is that correct?
Did you have to shorten your steering column?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 796
Likes: 1
From: Minnesota
It's been like 6 years since I did it, but I went out and looked and I am pretty sure that the top one was the original hole I used. The one below that I drilled and taped threads in the plate on the inside so its just like factory. Front one I just drilled and put a nut on the inside.