68 F100 4X4 Short Bed Power Steering Conversion

[SUBWOOFER]

This truck has been in my family for 37 years. I grew up learning how to use a Wrench with my dad out in the driveway, and have been turning bolts, replacing motors, ect ect since I was old enough to hold a ratchet.
I love this truck. It is simply a part of my family. My dad passed away a few years ago, but every time I drive it I remember him…
Ok, enough with that…..
I want,,,,,, no no I need to convert the truck to Power Steering to make it more of a daily driver. I am not sure if any one offers a Kit to do this? Or if I should just take the leap and drop in a new front clip from a new truck.. Any ideas or info would be great.. I really don’t want to start hacking this thing up.. Any info on choosing the right front Clip, or ideas on where to get simple conversion parts for PS would be most helpful. Thank you very much..

[FORDification]

There are kits occasionally being offered on E-bay for around $800 IIRC. However, I just did a quick search though and came up empty.

Otherwise, you can do it yourself by finding a '78-'79 pickup or Bronco with an integral PS box. Just bolt it on in place of your manual box, install a pump on the engine and connect the two with a couple PS hoses. If you can't find on in the junkyards, you can get THIS ONE from Jeff's Bronco Graveyard, but they're $275 with a $150 core charge, and since you don't have a core, that box would run you $425.

The other option is to adapt the readily-available and inexpensive 2WD Saginaw box your truck, using the tutorial posted here on the site:

Converting to Power Steering (4WD)

Good luck! And welcome to the site! When you have a moment you should pop into the Welcome Mat area and properly introduce yourself, and tell us about your truck...and maybe post a pic or two.

[bumpside-smitty]

This conversion looks like it will work well for a F250 4x4 but has anyone tried this with a 1/2 ton? I have a 72 f100 4x4 and it does not appear that there is near enough room to install the 2wd steering box???

[heep70]

Where are the manual gear boxes located on the F100 4x4? If it is located up front like the F250 the Ford/Saginaw box should fit.

Also talk to these guys. mont974x4 & hardtailjohn. they were talking about installing it, but don't know if they went through with it. F.O.R.D. is installing the 78 gearbox on his F250 4x4. He might have some ideas for your f100.

http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... r+steering

Oh, and to the forum.

[bumpside-smitty]

Greg,
The box is mounted up front just like the f250 the problem is that it looks like the frame crossmember is moved forward on the f100 possibly to make room for the coil spring front suspension. I really have not measured the distance but it looks really tight. Ill check with the other people on the site and see if they have tried this conversion on a f100.

Smitty.

P.S. I am in the process of building a 460 to go in my truck, Ill keep everyone posted on the progress.

[bumpside-smitty]

I had a chance to look at a 77 highboy and check for clearance for the steering box. the front crossmember on the f250 is set back about 4 inches from where the front crossmember sits on the f100. looks like I am stuck with steering by Armstrong.

[spartman]

looks like I am stuck with steering by Armstrong. Crying


At least this way you will have strong manly muscles and not look like a little girly man.

[hardtailjohn]

I haven't started the conversion yet, but a friend of mine has done a few, so I'll take lotsa pics and keep everyone posted when we do it.
John H.

[heep70]

I haven't started the conversion yet, but a friend of mine has done a few, so I'll take lotsa pics and keep everyone posted when we do it.
John H.

Write up a tech article w/ pics to post on the forum for future use.

[bumpside-smitty]

John, is yours a swb f100?

[hardtailjohn]

Smitty,
Mine's a long bed F100 4x4. It will most likely be end of the summer before I have time to do all that.
John H.

[bumpside-smitty]

Just to let everyone know who is following this post. I went and looked at a 72 F 250 4X. there is a definate difference in the placement of the front engine crossmember between the F250 and the F100. First of all the steering box on the 250 is on the inside of the frame rail where the 100 it is on the outside. The front crossmember sets in front of the front crank pulley on the 100 and almost all of the crossmember on the 250 is behind the front crank pulley. Even the inner fender on the two are different, the 100 has been opened up on the bottom to allow room for the steering box.
here is a pic to show what I am literally up against.

[SUBWOOFER]

After posting here a few days ago, I got several answers to my questions.. Thanks guys..
I am going to try the conversion that Keith mentioned. The PS Box from 1978 Bronco. It is mounted on the Outside of the frame just as my manual box is. I ordered it, and it will be here Friday / Monday.. I will start snapping pictures and taking notes.. If the box fits as closely as it looks like it will, the rest of it “Pump, Hoses, ect ectâ€Â

[bumpside-smitty]

EXCELLENT!!!!!!!!! Please keep us posted.

[heep70]

cool. Keep us posted. Ask Keith if he would like to post what you did to accomplish this in the tech area, so others can refer to.