Which is Better Bendix-Saginaw power steering gearbox

[wobblefoot]

I have a 71 F100,I have a 3 spd on column,manual steering.
I have an extra Bendix power steering box and also a Saginaw power steering box.
Which one is the better of the 2?Can I keep my 3spd and make it power?
Reading up on it it seems that the Bendix box is a direct bolt in without having to shorten the column and finding the firewall plate that says power steering,Thats my understanding of what I read.
Anybodies help or guidance would be appreciated.

[mljjones67]

I guess you decided you didn't want the setup I have for sale?????

[kaptnkaos]

The Sagninaw box is definately better...
Bendix boxes were prone to over heating and leaking, which is why Ford changed to Saginaw boxes.

KaptnKA S

[fordman]

check your vin number before you change the boxes out. anything after mid 71 will not work with anythin gbfore mid 71. as far as the power steeering pitman arm goes. the pitman arm is different. check this link. http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... hp?t=31373

[kaptnkaos]

Depending on when your '71 was made, (the early half of the year or later half) you will need the pitman arm that fits your existing steering componets.
There are two styles the old one an the new one... the box will work on any of the years, it's just the pitman arm that needs to be matched to your truck.,
Make sure you read the tech pages on doing this upgrade and get all the parts before you start yer disassembly unless you have the time to be without yer truck.
One thing I'm not sure was mentioned in the tech article, was tyhat you also need the brakeline bracket thatr goes with the PS box.. the manual one is different.
The nut that holds the pitman arm on the unit is a 1 5/8" a standard 1/2 drive socket set goes to 1 1/4".
I took mine to a machine shop and they removed the nut at no charge...
That was the most difficult part of the swap...
Well except for dropping the box on the tip of my little finger putting it on the work bench...
It was so bloomin' cold, I did't feel it until It started to thaw out and I noticed that the tip of my finger was twice normal size...

KaptnKA S

[willowbilly3]

Well, I always stand to be corrected but I don't think you can shorten the 3 speed column to work with the saggy. I have yet to witness pictorial proof that setup ever existed.

[fordman]

i have been giving thought to shortening colums. whati have been thinking is to remove the bracket from the column and move it to fit where it is needed to go. i have a junk three speed column that i am going to try it on some day when i have the real time to do it and a welder.

[Hawkrod]

Well, I always stand to be corrected but I don't think you can shorten the 3 speed column to work with the saggy. I have yet to witness pictorial proof that setup ever existed.

Ask and ye shall receive. Below is a picture of a 68 3 speed manual steering column , a 72 3 speed power steering column and a 73-77 (78/9 are different and have the big upper housings) 3 speed power steering column. The difference from power to manual is obvious because of the length, the differences between 72 and 73 are subtle but the most obvious are the 72 does not have an emergency flasher switch on the column and the firewall seal is a metal plate with a piece of rubber stapled to it while the later one is more like a plate with rubber molded to it. I still need to take these a couple of others apart to document the different internal shaft lengths. Hawkrod

[kaptnkaos]

I don't know about anyone else, but I was answering the question about which PS box is better...
Saginaw and that's my final answer...

KaptnKAOS

[fordman]

These posts we all seem to answer always go off the original topic. I like the steering column pics. it only goes to show that the bracket could be moved to make one work for the other. you would just have more column in or out of the cab . denpending on which column you modified.

[Hawkrod]

These posts we all seem to answer always go off the original topic. I like the steering column pics. it only goes to show that the bracket could be moved to make one work for the other. you would just have more column in or out of the cab . denpending on which column you modified.

I don't see it as being off topic, he asked if he could keep his 3 speed and go to power steering and he also asked which box was better. The box question was a no brainer and got answered right away and then the question of column became the other part of the equation. As far as just moving the bracket, that won't work well as the arms are shaped differently and if you moved the manual column up they would hit the firewall. The PS column has the arms shaped differently and mounted much cloeser to the end of the tube. Hawkrod

I lined up the bottom ends so you can see the difference;

[fordman]

ok i see so i would have to get the power steering shift arms for the columns. that could be done. how about an automatic. the bracket on that could be moved couldnt it? im guessing it could. and i guess if it needed an arm that could be had. but there are some many dentsides outthere that it would make moving the bracket impractical.

[craftsman]

Well, I always stand to be corrected but I don't think you can shorten the 3 speed column to work with the saggy. I have yet to witness pictorial proof that setup ever existed.

Isn't this one.

http://www.fordification.com/3spd-shorten.htm