1974 f100 steering column rag to u-joint conversion.
 

I am working on my sons 1974 Ford f 100 four wheel drive short bed. It came with manual steering and for speed on the floor. I have since done the 4x2 power steering box reversal so that I can mount the gearbox on the outside of the frame like the manual box was bolted. Already ordered the 3/4" × 36 spline lower u joint with a double D opposite end, the lower rag joint on the steering column I have removed and want to know what the spline count is without having to remove the column. Is it the same three quarter 36 spline as the gearbox or is it different, and if it is different what would the spline count be? Thx...Mo

3/4-36.... it will likely be fully splined. I used a 79 Bronco steering shaft on my 73 4x4 and had to grind a flat spot. It is best to check IMO.

I know check twice cut once, but I won't be home till the weekend and thought about having the part ordered and waiting for me to install I do know that the bottom one for sure is 3/4" × 36 spline not sure what that upper spline count is on the shaft uses the u joint on the 74 its like a two and a half foot long well maybe not quite .

I don't mean to derail your thread, (which is what people say when they DO mean to derail your thread, :D)

But what 2wd box mounts in the stock location?

He's saying he swapped the internals so the pitman arm points aft. There's link in the tech info compilation on how it is done.

Ah, that's clear then, thanks!

Back to your regularly scheduled thread

Do you have any pics of how you mounted the box? I'd like to do the same to my 73.

It"s not a 2wd box. It's a 4wd integral box with 2wd internals.

READ: West Coast Broncos

Thanks for the link, Hio. I've read it, I just wanted to see how he went about it. Always good to get different perspectives

Pics of 79 Ford F150 Bronco PS box to 75 Ford F100 with manual steering.
 

Sorry I have been away from the site for a bit. Family issues to deal with. So hopefully the pics are self explanatory. If not I will label and comment in a few hours, cooking dindin as I type.

1) Donor 4x4 PS gearbox off 79 Bronco, but same as F150 78-79 only. No pitman arm faces forward if you manage to get your box mounted and the arm is oriented this way you will have reversed steering. Meaning turn the steering wheel to the left it will turn your tires to the right.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...d03d4a0644.jpg
2) The donor 4x4 box was degreased then wire wheeled to get it ready for dis-assembly. Here it is already rebuild with the innards from a 4x4 bronco II steering gearbox. I bought the rebuild kit at Napa. Pitman arm is now in the right orientation facing back.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...4e02475dd6.jpg
3) Pic of the frame drilled and extra holes welded up(almost, 110 mig with a long cord does nothing for good welds) also gusseted the front frame backside at the new front hole, also welded the joint area that was very ugly and then smoothed as best I could without removing strength, may redo someday) Only the bottom rear hole on the box aligns. You will have to re-drill the 2 others. Cinch the one hole tight and get your box where you want it, I used the box as a template. Also for the box to sit in there properly you will have massage the driverside front body mount /radiator support/ shroud, with a grinder so the box fits later pic shows this.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...da61c88308.jpg
4) -5)The inner fender needs to be trimmed to allow the box to go in easily.
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...6789d208b1.jpg

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...69394abd2d.jpg
6) trimmed and look by id tag is where you cut the body mount area a bit as well as the radiator support and shroud.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...8fb41e2092.jpg

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...7b012987a5.jpg
7) This is the area that needs cutting, a small cut off wheel worked great then flapped it to smooth edges.
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...3378a4fbfc.jpg
8) The steering shaft is too long and the wrong size end.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...3dc22b5faf.jpg
9) On the inside top of frame rail the 2 hoses are pointing down, you may or not have to grinder an area down if you want to use a factory bent hose. I did as a precaution, as it looked real close, probably did not need it. I used a 3" grinding wheel on edge to catch the side and made a 1/4 moon indent on the top rail. I had to modify the Hi pressure line as I am using the 75 style pump and hose the box end was to big. I ended flattening out the bend a bit and chopping the flaring off, then installing the correct size fitting re-flarring and it worked perfect. I had bought the wrong size reducer anyway.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...7b0ecf4169.jpg

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...cc153f5e87.jpg
11) compare the wrong end on left too big, to the to small and wrong sized reducer and to the correct size end on right.
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...fc40f0c537.jpg

Hope this helps!