I have a 71 F250 4X4 & have a chance to pick up an integral power steering gearbox off of a 78 F250 4X4 for 75 bucks. The pitman arm is still on the box
From what I've read, this is supposedly one of the easiest conversions, but I'm a little confused by some of the posts I've read. For instance, it sounds like this gearbox will bolt right onto my truck. Is this correct or will I have to weld a plate onto my frame to mount the gearbox onto?
Will I have to cut my drag link and intermediate shafts? Not a terribly big deal to do this, but just wanting to know what I'm up against.
After multiple searches and reading the article on the homepage about the highboy power steering conversion, I've still got some questions if someone could be so kind to point me in the right direction. I've seen lots of pics for other conversions with a 2wd box mounted in a highboy, and read lots of posts, but haven't seen many posts about info on installing the 78-79 F250 4X4 steering sector being installed onto a bump F250 4X4.
If anyone can post a link to this conversion or pics of this converion I would be really appreciative.
Here's what I've got: I have the steering sector out of a 78 F250 4X4 w/ pitman arm. The power steering pump is already on the engine as I swapped the motor out to a 400 from a 78 or 79 truck several years ago. I left the power steering pump mounted as I knew I'd want to install power steering on my truck down the road. The hoses and cooler are still intact on the PS pump.
From reading as many posts/articles as I could, it seems that Glen Davis' comment (On a side note, if you can find / afford the ’78-’79 4wd sector definitely go this route with the conversion, as it is almost a direct bolt on to the Highboy) has produced some confusion for others as it has with me.
By studying the 78 steering sector and my truck, here's what I see as the work/modifications needed. Weld a plate to the frame to mount the sector onto. and 2nd the drag link will have to be cut as one hole is on a vertical plane and the other on a horizontal plane. when the new sector is in place, both holes on the drag link will need to be on a vertical plane (hope this makes sense). or replace the drag link with one that has both holes in the proper orientation.
I know that some of you are probably sick & tired of answering these questions, but like I said, I haven't found the info I'm looking for by searching. so if anyone could give some advice or post a link to a thread that's covered this particular conversion I'd really appreciate it.
i do not know these systems you are talking abotu. but if you post pics of all of the items i can try to help. (frame and old box, new box both pitman arms and steering linkages) a pump will not matter since it is a 400 pump.
it looks like you will need the bar between the spindle and the pitman arm. . it looks like the power steering box you have bolts on from inside the frame. so you probably wont need a bracket or plate welded to the outside of the frame to hold the box. you may have to drill hole to botl on a 4 botl box instead of the three bolt type box you have.
I am in the middle of this swap right now and I used a piece of 2" x 5" steel tubing to bolt the steering box in, I am just now figuring out the tie rods. I will let you know what I come up with
Was thinking this afternoon about this swap & the drag link issue. What if I were to cut the drag link. get a tube or tie rod sleeve. Trim the ends of the drag link to length. RH thread one & LH thread the other. Use a jam nut on each end to keep it in place. Seems like this might be a better option than welding.
Has anyone tried this, or what do you guys think of the idea?
it is a regular linkage from the pitman arm to the linkage. it will replae the linkage you have on your and work the exact same. i haven't gotten it off the truck yet. becuase of the weahter. i will soon though.
Cool, when you get it removed, shoot me a PM and let me know what you want for it. Weather's pretty crappy here too. I don't have a garage/shop, so won't start on this project till it warms up a bit. Just trying to get all my parts/info so that when I get a break in the weather, I can start on this.
Just get a 78-79 F250 4x4 drag link instead of cutting your old one. You're gonna have to do some welding (plate to the inside of the frame for mounting the box), shortening the intermediate shaft and use the 78-79 drag link and pitman arm.
