I know this is an ancient thread, but at least my posting here proves that I spent some time searching for an already existing answer to this question.....which is:

I'm going to go on the prowl for a 70's model F100 parts truck to strip the power steering, disc brakes, etc out of and was wondering if I find one with all of the above and a 300 six, will the pulleys fit my 240 six?

I want to keep the original 240 in my truck, but also want the P/S and D/B.

And...I also insist on keeping my 3 on the column shifter and an original style, old-school looking column.

Any issues there that I should be on the lookout for?

 

congrats on your project ,,as fore your steering problemm,,i bought a whole not running truck and got all the parts i needed for $250,,got all the stuff for the front end ,a good seat,column and gave bed ,doors and hood to boss for his truck sold locked up motor and trans and frame for $257 at the scrap yard,,all the brakes on the front and rotors are new,,repacked the bearings,,new pivot bushings and shocks and brake hoses ,,and whalla,,well not that easy,,the column swap is the harest part,,,drilled 4 holes on each column and got the 65 mount on the 77 column in the right place and retack weld,,so far mine is progressing as fast as it can working an hour during lunch,,,so there is a donor out there somewhere just gotta know where all the yards are and the ones out in the hillsides and country,,good luck
Warren

 

how can I convert my 1965 f 500 to power steering...
Thanks Ray

 

Shortwide, I don't think you can keep the original 3 on the tree with the later P/S box.

I would have liked to as well, but the later box is l o n g e r and once it was mounted, there was just no room left for the column shifter arms.

Only way would be to use the Bendix box, and I think you have been warned about it's shortcomings.

 

What about a later style 3 on the tree column with the newer style ps box?

 

66f-100,

It would seem that that would be the answer; however, in 2 years on the forum and all my searching when I changed to P/S, I have never run across anyone that has said that would work.

Once I had the later box in, there was just no room left for the column linkage. I measured only 1 1/4" from the end of the steering column to the firewall boot on my '66; not enough room and too close to the firewall for linkage.

Anyone ever done this? I would also like to know.

 

read this intire thread, some good info, don't like to see some
"baggin" on my bendix "direct replacement" gear box tho?????

 

It baggin due to the bendix box being a miserable piece of crap. Ford ditched them for a reason.

Garbz

 

This thread was a good read. Much more interesting when there are different opinions. So I tend to believe that a part used for 3 years replaced by another than ran for 20+ years probably got changed for a reason. That being said I am dabbling with the idea of putting power steering on my 65 f100. I am looking for insight. I am liking the three on the column as it is the T85 with the R11 overdrive. I have worked to get parts together and keep this fleeting power train with this truck. I am now wondering if it is worth the fight to add power steering as the clearance issues with the shift linkage and the ford steering box seem formidable. Any thoughts or advice?

 

You could go with a floor shifter for the 3-speed and then use the newer style ps box, but you would have to have your column cut down or use a different column. Just a thought.

 

I am wanting to turn my '65 F100 into a daily driver, so there are many upgrades I plan to make. The two that I want to address here are the power steering conversion, and the the tilt steering conversion as they go hand in hand. My question is that if I buy the Ford gearbox and accessories to go with it, will a 67-72 steering column bolt right up? LMC carries the tilt steering wheel column for the 65-66 and the 67-72. What are the differences other than the length. I know that I will need the newer (shorter) column to work with the Ford gearbox, but what must I do to make this happen? Is it simply bolting it up, or is there modification required? I would greatly appreciate any help I can get.

 

Welcome to FTE

Tilt wheel was not available until 1978 for F100/350's, Bronco's & Econolines. So...whatever LMC is selling is aftermarket.

Steering column different with Bendix P/S vs Ford P/S. P/S was not available in 1965 for any truck.

Bendix P/S: 1966/68 F100/250 2WD / 1969 F100/250 2WD before serial number D96,001 / You do not want Bendix P/S as parts are slim and none.

Ford P/S: 1969 F100/250 2WD & F350 from serial number D96,001 / 1970/79 F100/250 2WD & F350.
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Find a 1973/77 F100 2WD or 1975/77 F150 2WD, get all the P/S related parts. If your '65 is a 240/300 I-6, add 1978/79 F100/150.

Ford changed the P/S pump in 1978, it's a different shape and has a plastic reservoir. No FE engine (352/360/390 etc) P/S brackets will fit this pump.

1966/77 pumps have a steel reservoir, the P/S pressure hose threads on. 1978/79: P/S pressure hose has a straight tube w/an o-ring on it, connects to the pump w/a qwik connect fitting.
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Disc brakes were first offered in 1973 for F100 2WD's. All the parts from 1973/79 F100 2WD, 1975/79 F150 2WD swap to 1965/72 F100 2WD's.

Your F100 has 11" x 2" front drum brakes, barely adequate back then, today it's a different story. Some people consider front drum brakes to be unsafe for a daily driver.

IMO, disc brakes are more important than P/S, cuz the only time you really need P/S, is when you parallel park. I owned a '65 F100 for 44 years, didn't want or need P/S.

If you replace the worn out steering/suspension parts, inflate the tires properly, you won't need P/S.

 

Thank you so much for your help. I have never driven my truck as it's a project, so I just assumed I needed power steering. I do however pull trailers of all sizes fairly often, and each of them requires backing up (camper, boat, jet ski...). My truck has the 352 FE, so I guess I'm limited to the earlier models if I do decide to go with power steering. I did find two different aftermarket brackets on eBay though, are these possibly for the two different pumps you're talking about? I am planning on going with a smaller steering wheel since I'm a larger guy and the factory wheel is way too close for comfort. I know this will affect how hard it is to steer also. The tilt wheel columns are aftermarket, but direct factory replacements. My question with that was weather the newer model columns were direct bolt up from the older columns.

I'm completely with you on the disc conversion. I don't like drum brakes, and I figured out they're a pain to work with when working on another project. I am going to look for a donor truck, or I'll just pay a premium price for the all new LMC conversion.

 

Be very careful buying parts off ebay, as most sellers haven't a single clue what the parts fit and this includes NOS parts as well. Post links to the ads, one of us will know what the parts really fit.

There are no, repeat no P/S brackets from a 352 (or any other FE engine) that will fit the plastic reservoir pump...NONE!

FE engines cancelled at the end of the 1976 model run (8/1976), plastic reservoir pumps introduced at the beginning of the 1978 model run (8/1977).

Also be very careful buying parts from LMC as their catalog is rife with errors and omissions. And they're a middle-man operation, buy the parts they sell to you from others. And most of the stuff they sell is Chinese.

The column will have to be modified and buying a donor truck with P/S & P/DB is the way to go. Take the parts you need (Made in the USA!), sell the rest to recoup your investment.

There are a gazillion posts inre to doing these swaps in this forum. FTE members jowilker & garbz2 are two of the members that "know the score."

Larger guy... Join the club! 3/1965: 6-6 180, 20 yrs old, bought a '65 brand new / 11/2009: 6-5 325 65 yrs old and "Arthur" had arrived. Sold the truck, couldn't fit in it anymore.

 

NumberDummy, I am right there with you....plus about 75lbs. I cannot squeeze into my 66 F250 even with the seat back removed....however, this was my Dad's truck, bought new in March of 1966 and I will be danged if I will ever sell it....therefore, I need to find a way to shorten the steering column as well as put a smaller tilting steering wheel on it in hopes that I can drive it some.... Although I would like to keep the manual steering and the 3-on the tree, I may have to consider the PS options you guys have been discussing....

However, how difficult and safe would this F250 be to drive if I keep the manual steering and shorten the column and use a smaller diameter wheel? Have any of you guys tried to drive one of these manual steering trucks with a small wheel??

I have decided that modifications to the truck may be easier than trying to modify my body back to it's stock configuration....which now seems impossible...