72 F250 box and center link in a 68 F100

[dablack00]

A couple of years back I parted out an old 72 camper special F250. It had a tight steering box and a tight center link so I saved the assembly for when I get around to replacing the loose parts on my F100.

I know for sure that the box should be the same, but what about the center link, drag link and tie rods?

thanks
Austin

[FORDification]

No, the Pitman arm and all steering linkage is different between the '68 and '72. However, I believe that they can be swapped as a complete set....that is, as long as you use the Pitman arm and all linkage, it'll work. However, if IIRC the '72 tie-rod-end studs are longer to fit through a thicker steering arm on the '72 spindle, so you might want to do a comparison of those to be sure. I just don't recall exactly when they started that different TRE. I know the '73's had it, and I'm also thinking the late '72s had it as well.

For some comparison pics, check out the following link:

http://www.fordification.com/images/FAQ ... late04.jpg

[dablack00]

So it is a 68 vs 72 thing? I was for sure it was going to be F250 vs F100 kind of thing. Oh well.

I didn't want to taint the results, but I was having a hard time getting everything to fit. I couldn't figure out why. I have already tried to put the 72 F250 steering assembly on the 68 F100 and it just didn't seem to want to go. Now I know why. I will play with it a little more and see what I can do.

If I have to, I will keep the tight 72 F250 box and put on all the old 68 steering linkages.

thanks
Austin

[FORDification]

Whoops! I posted a link to the picture instead of the page it was on. Let's try this again.

http://www.fordification.com/str-susp_variations.htm

[dablack00]

Ok, I get it now.

Since I'm using a 72 F250 box, pitman, drag and center link, then those should bolt onto the 68 frame and spindles just fine. The tie rod ends might be long (depending on the data change), but it should still bolt on right.

I must be doing something wrong. Nothing was fitting right when I was trying to put the steering assembly on the 68. HMMMMM

I'm going to have to think about this more. Basically, when I parted out the F250, I unbolted the tierod ends from the spindles and unbolted the steering box. I didn't unbolt anything else so it has stayed an assembly the whole time.

From what the FAQ says, I should be ok, unless I'm reading it wrong.

Austin