I had a mechanic put in powersteering in my 65 Ford pick up. When he did, it moved the steering column up 3-4 inches. Does anyone know of a model with a shorter steering column that would fit? I plan on finding it at a salvage yard. Please advise. Solanoj@delwebb.com

 

Yep, one with power steering. The gear is longer for the pump part and you have to exchange for the shorter column. There are a lot of columns that will work. I have read where some of the cars will work.

How much did he charge you to do the job?


John
jowilker

66 F100s
In the still cool hours of the night, you can hear chevys rusting away.

 

Azford, I used a column from a 71 auto/PS. You will need parts from both columns to make this work. Use this opportunity to replace and lube the lower column bearing. And rebuild, or better, replace the rag joint. If you are using a on the column shift, the 71 has neutral start and backup light switches on the column for automatics. Also you will need to saw off about 1/4" from the top of the steering shaft to install the 66 steering wheel and horn contact. I used the original column to lower dash clamp. The one on the 71 didn't fit properly. I just drilled out the welds on both columns and re-welded the 66 clamp to the 71 column. I sawed a notch/slot in the firewall plate to clear the shift arm (automatic). Cut this slot parallel with the clamp that holds the lower end of th column, I cut mine parallel with the firewall and screwed it up. The TS connector can be removed from the TS wiring harness by depressing the tang on the end of each wire. Mark these before removing them...this will save lots of time later. Test fit everything!

 

I don't remember what he charged. He did some other work also. I think he did a ****ty job though. It squeels alot when idoling.

 

>Azford, I used a column from
>a 71 auto/PS. You will
>need parts from both columns
>to make this work.
>Use this opportunity to replace
>and lube the lower column
>bearing. And rebuild, or
>better, replace the rag joint.
>If you are using a
>on the column shift, the
>71 has neutral start and
>backup light switches on the
>column for automatics. Also
>you will need to saw
>off about 1/4" from the
>top of the steering shaft
>to install the 66 steering
>wheel and horn contact.
>I used the original column
>to lower dash clamp.
>The one on the 71
>didn't fit properly. I
>just drilled out the welds
>on both columns and re-welded
>the 66 clamp to the
>71 column. I sawed
>a notch/slot in the firewall
>plate to clear the shift
>arm (automatic). Cut this
>slot parallel with the clamp
>that holds the lower end
>of th column, I cut
>mine parallel with the firewall
>and screwed it up. The
>TS connector can be removed
>from the TS wiring harness
>by depressing the tang on
>the end of each wire.
> Mark these before removing
>them...this will save lots of
>time later. Test fit
>everything!


Hey I was told you can cut the original and just reweld it. Would this effect the steering in any way? It seems like the easiest way to go.

Azford

 

>
>
>Hey I was told you can
>cut the original and just
>reweld it. Would this
>effect the steering in any
>way? It seems like
>the easiest way to go.
>
>
>Azford

I have a couple of columns apart in my garage right now getting a good one together for my conversion and I personally wouldn't try shortening an armstrong column into a P/S column. It could be done, but there's three pieces to cut and put back together--the outside shell, the shift tube (which is pretty thin material) and the steering rod. I think it'll be a whole lot easier to get a column off another truck.

Dan Blackwell

 

azford...Do not cut and weld anything on your manual steering shaft. Get a steering column from a truck with power steerng. These columns are shorter and are pretty much a bolt in swap (with minor adjustments). Squealing at idle? Is this noise coming from the PS pump? The belt? Low fluid? The wrong fluid? Miss-aligned pulleys? I'd get this PS/steering column business sorted out before you start on the rear differential work. Traction lock won't help much if your truck doesn't steer and stop properly. I think disk brakes area much better investment verses locker rear end.