steering column change

[Bob 68]

I'm installing power steering in my 68 F250 2wd using a 73-79 column. Everything went together great except for the shifter rod between the column and transmission, it seems to bind and won't go into low. I've adjusted the rod back and forth and it makes no difference. Has anyone else had this problem? Should I have gotten the rod from doner truck?

[fordman]

it could be the rod but i am unsure. where does it bid at ? at the colum or underneath som place. maybe you can bent the ear of the shifter on the column.

[Bob 68]

When in park the shift rod seems to be fine, but as you shift thru R N D 2 1 the rod seems to change the angle and won't go far enough to get to low. The shift rod doesn't hit or rub anything, it just seems to bind from the angle.

[FORDification]

If you disconnect the rod from the transmission, can you run the shifter through it's full travel? Just eliminating the possibility of the binding happening inside the column.

[Bob 68]

Yes, with the shift rod disconnected both the column and transmission shift correctly. When I unhook the rod when shifter is in the low position is when I have all the side pressure against the rod. No pressure (binding) in P R or N

[fordman]

may be it is the rod thats the problem. i have a 73-77 column in my 67 and it doesn't seem to have any problems. but i don't know which rod it has either.