I wanna convert... from Bendix to Saginaw

[Mugwump]

I'm considering moving away from the leaky old Bendix steering gear on my '69 F250 CS to a more robust and reliable Saginaw setup. I've read thru the tutorial on converting from manual to p/s, but I still have a few questions.

Therefore, I humbly kneel before the FORDification gurus and seek their wisdom:

1) Do I need to change the p/s pump? Are the pumps different between the Bendix / Saginaw setups?

2) I know that I'll need to change out or modify my steering column, and I've read about some potential for moving to a '78/'79 column (and I have a line on a good '79 column - with tilt ). Should I also snag the steering box and pump from that '79 while I'm at it? Is it the same Saginaw setup that is used on our bumps? Will all those components bolt up to my frame/steering?

3) If you've done this conversion, or something similar PLEASE let me know of any nastiness that you've come across! I'm not the most highly skilled mechanic, but I've busted plenty of knuckles trying... any advice up front is most appreciated.

4) Is there any reason why I should consider keeping the stock Bendix setup? I'm not into keeping the truck 100% stock - it's more of a resto-mod style - stock looking outside, more modern convenience, comfort and driveability inside.

Thanks gang

[fordman]

1) Do I need to change the p/s pump? Are the pumps different between the Bendix / Saginaw setups?

2) I know that I'll need to change out or modify my steering column, and I've read about some potential for moving to a '78/'79 column (and I have a line on a good '79 column - with tilt ). Should I also snag the steering box and pump from that '79 while I'm at it? Is it the same Saginaw setup that is used on our bumps? Will all those components bolt up to my frame/steering?

3) If you've done this conversion, or something similar PLEASE let me know of any nastiness that you've come across! I'm not the most highly skilled mechanic, but I've busted plenty of knuckles trying... any advice up front is most appreciated.

4) Is there any reason why I should consider keeping the stock Bendix setup? I'm not into keeping the truck 100% stock - it's more of a resto-mod style - stock looking outside, more modern convenience, comfort and driveability inside.

Thanks gang

1) no need to change the pump unless its bad.

2) the saginaw boxes are the same. it is the pitman arm that is different. it changed in mid 71 to a larger hole in the tie rod end of the arm. so you will need the tie rods and or drags links from the same year of truck that you take the pitman arm from.

3) see number 2

4) The bendix boxes are worth more if you sell them.

[Mugwump]

Now that's good stuff....



Somehow I knew you'd have the skinny on this, fordman.

I'll snag the whole shebang outta the '79.

[kaptnkaos]

2) I know that I'll need to change out or modify my steering column, and I've read about some potential for moving to a '78/'79 column (and I have a line on a good '79 column - with tilt ). Should I also snag the steering box and pump from that '79 while I'm at it? Is it the same Saginaw setup that is used on our bumps? Will all those components bolt up to my frame/steering?


2) the saginaw boxes are the same. it is the pitman arm that is different. it changed in mid 71 to a larger hole in the tie rod end of the arm. so you will need the tie rods and or drags links from the same year of truck that you take the pitman arm from.

Does your truck have an auto trans or 4-speed manual?

Since the Bendix and the manual steering boxes are the same size physically, you will need to use a shorter center steering column rod.
If you have a manual trans all you have to change is the center steering rod in your current column or shorten the rod you have.

If your going to swap over to a newer tilt column, you'll need to snag everything wheel to wheel to match the saginaw box that you get...

KaptnKA S

[Mugwump]

It's a C6 auto trans.

[FORDification]

Good decision....get rid of the Bendix setup and don't look back. Sell it to someone on E-bay who's either doing a correct restoration or wants to take the easy way out (though they'll learn, like you did, that they shoulda gone with the Saginaw setup).

If you've got a complete '79 parts donor, I'd snag everything from it to do the swap:

- power steering box
- power steering pump (and brackets, if it's got an engine from the same engine family)
- steering column
- entire front suspension (I-beams, spindles, calipers, etc.)

This way, you can also upgrade to disc brakes at the same time...if you haven't already done so.

As I understand it, the relief valve in the Bendix power steering pumps is a little different than those used with the Saginaw units. I'm not sure if the difference would cause problems, but if you're doing the swap, why not just avoid possible complications in the future and use the '79 PS pump.

As stated, the steering linkage changed in mid-'71, so you'd either have to get an early Pitman arm to go with the '79 Saginaw box (which would allow you to keep your existing steering linkage) or swap in all of the 79's linkage...including the spindle. The steering arm on the '79 spindle (which accepts the tie-rod ends) is thicker, meaning your existing linkage won't fit them unless you do some grinding....like about 1/4" off the overall thickness.

I've got all '79 pieces on my '67...everything. And it was a simple bolt-up swap, except for having to bend some new steel brake lines to convert the drum brakes to disc.

[cdherman]

Couple last little additions to the above info:

Your 69 steering wheel will not fit right on the 79, so get the 79 wheel as well.

And a nasty bit that isn't mentioned is that the bracket where the steering column goes through the firewall is different on the saginaw PS columns. This is because the saginaw box is not only a little longer (necessitating a shorter steering shaft) but it sits a little "higher" which means the column goes through the firewall a bit higher and at a slightly different angle.

Many a column out there gets sold without the brackets. The manual or Bendix PS bracket can be modified to work -- but getting the orginal is a bolt up deal.

Also, (this part is an observation that I am unsure of) haveing looked at a 74 truck in the local pick and pull, it seems to me that the firewall bracket has different bolt holes from 73 up. So the bolt on, perfect fit bracket for a saginaw equipped 65-72 truck is only available from a 68-72 truck that came with a saginaw box. I do think that the bracket from a 79 can be modified to work though, and probably easier than your original 69.

[Mugwump]

Thanks to all - I knew all that info was out there - and I'm a lot more confident going thru with it now.

It looks like I'll score the whole kit & kaboodle... Steering wheel to ball joints - minus the axles and brakes. I will get the firewall bracket, and as a bonus, the intermittent wiper setup.

I'll get a project thread started on this thing to try and document it further once I get started.

Thanks again - I certainly appreciate the knowledge and experience found on this site!