Hi can anyone give some advice. My husband and I are doing up my 1979 F250
motor has been done up stage 3 head roller rockers extractors high rise manifold big 4 barrel carb. My problem is the steering is very heavy is there a power steering unit which will fit on this model over here in OZ they are saying I need to buya Datsun late 70'smodel box which is pretty hard to get most of them are crushed any ideas guys?

 

power steering was an option on these trucks so you could find a setup easily at a junk yard or buy new.

 

Which engine do you have, and what pulley setup? Its pretty easy to put the parts together from factory ford vehicles you just need to know which ones will work.

 

Hi its a 351 clev and the pulley set up is basic alternator fan and crank

 

Its not the pulleys that are presenting the problem is it? The real problem is that the steering wheel is on the right side of the vehicle correct?
Is this a 2wd or 4wd truck? 4wd might be easier than a 2wd, but I think there is a 2wd option. MIght have to get creative.
Any other trucks available with power steering?

 

Yes it is right hand steering and is a 2WD I guess I'll have to put up with the heavy steering

 

Not really, there can be some other options but might require some fabrication.
I am very confident that other trucks of this era had power steering. A retro fit might be an option, but I would imagine that finding a box specifically for this application might even exist.
Is it possible that if the vehicle was available with such a box that you could find a re-built steering box at a local parts store? I cant imagine that finding one would be that tough.

 

found a datsun280C box on ebay $2750 auld unbelievable price

 

Right hand drive eh. That does complicate things. Know anyone from Australia? They have been doing the mustang II front ends with eight hand drive for years, if your going the fabrication route might be worth looking in to, especially since its 2WD.

 

Because of the Twin I beam suspension, this limits the use of the rrack and pinion style steering. This means that a regular steering box would have to be used.
Since this truck is considered a rear steer design, the limits are basically in the box.
However, I do feel that a regular box from a 80's or 90's F-150 would work.
Are any of these available in salvage yards in your area?
This would be a front steer box, and the problem that would present itself will be that the steering wheel would turn opposite of the front wheels. Problem, I know, but this particular boxes would allow you to turn the pitman arm backwards and the steering orientation would once again be normal.
I would love to see one of these in person,,,,,I believe there really is a simple solution.
Might even find a US style box that mounts to the outside of the frame, like a F-150 4wd 3 bolt box, and mount it to the inside of the frame rail on the right side. Hmmmmm, this configuration might also make the wheels turn the wrong way, but this concept is probably along the lines you should be looking for.

 

I converted my 76 2wd from non power to power. I have US left hand steering. Here's what I know. The Power steering gearbox is very heavy duty. I have a hard time imagining a Nissan/Datsun box being nearly that heavy. I needed to replace my steering column as the steering shaft* between power/manual steering differ in length. Otherwise my steering wheel would have been too close to my chest/neck. There seems to be a variety of power steering pumps (as well as bracketry) used on Ford motors of this era. I've seen both Thompson and Saginaw (usually associated with GM) pumps used. Apparently the factory used what was on hand and wasn't above changeing suppliers when they ran out of pieces. Looking up the proper pressure hose was a parts counter nightmare, because I didn't have a specific year/model match. I needed a patient parts guy who was willing to look at many application varieties. I also had a really hard time separating the draglink from the pitman arm. I tried pullers, and wore myself out pounding on pickle forks. I was about whipped, exhausted and frustrated when I finally heard "tink" and the parts separated. That was my first dentside Ford truck, the conversion was totally worth it. I won't have one without power steering. Power brakes is another story, I don't find power brakes to be signifiçantly better than non power brakes (I have both).