Bendix box on a 71

[wobblefoot]

I know on an automatic you dont have to change the column if you use a Bendix box,but what about a 3 speed on the column? Would I have to find a pwrstr. column or could I use my same column and a Bendix box.Its a 71 by the way.

[fordman]

bendix boxes dont need a power steering column. i do not know about the 71 steering change and the pitman arm.

[Hawkrod]

Bendix boxes use a different steering center shaft. It does not matter if it is a stick or an automatic, a Bendix shaft is about 5/8 shorter and a Ford PS shaft is several inches shorter. You can use a manual steering mast jacket but you need to change the center shaft. Hawkrod

[390bump]

I recently swapped a Bendix steering box for the manual steering box and kept the "3 on the tree" column. I think the new setup is maybe 1/2" longer but no mods are needed since it is within the slotted bracket's range on the column.

[Hawkrod]

I recently swapped a Bendix steering box for the manual steering box and kept the "3 on the tree" column. I think the new setup is maybe 1/2" longer but no mods are needed since it is within the slotted bracket's range on the column.

The problem is it is not always in the slotted bracketss range. The range is there to allow for assembly tolerances and on some trucks you are fine but on others it will not work and it is more than 1/2 inch difference. The Bendix box shaft is 34-15/16 the manual shaft is 35-5/8 (71/2 is slightly longer but it is just the nub above the threads at the top so it does not matter) and a Ford/Saginaw shaft is 32-7/8. The fact that it worked for you makes you one of the lucky ones, you have a 50/50 chance of it being able to be used but if it does work it also makes the steering wheel that much closer to you. Hawkrod

[390bump]

Yes- if you let your belly get too big it could be a problem! I'm okay but the wheel sticks up pretty high on these trucks. Glad I was lucky with the column - had enough issue with pulleys and pitman arm!

[fordman]

I recently swapped a Bendix steering box for the manual steering box and kept the "3 on the tree" column. I think the new setup is maybe 1/2" longer but no mods are needed since it is within the slotted bracket's range on the column.

The problem is it is not always in the slotted bracketss range. The range is there to allow for assembly tolerances and on some trucks you are fine but on others it will not work and it is more than 1/2 inch difference. The Bendix box shaft is 34-15/16 the manual shaft is 35-5/8 (71/2 is slightly longer but it is just the nub above the threads at the top so it does not matter) and a Ford/Saginaw shaft is 32-7/8. The fact that it worked for you makes you one of the lucky ones, you have a 50/50 chance of it being able to be used but if it does work it also makes the steering wheel that much closer to you. Hawkrod

what will make it not work sometimes? what will cause installation or driveability problems?

[Hawkrod]

The slots allow for variances in assembly. If the steering box is closer to the firewall the column will be installed higher up. the average should hit the middle of the adjustment but it will range (which is why there is an average). The variances in assembly can include a cab that is loaded forward or backwards of optimum (which is possible because of the rubber mounting system). Improper assembly that can make tolerances too tight or too loose (for example, the lower edge of the dash spot welded in at the wrong point or cab mounts slightly askew before welding). Tolerance stack at assembly is why the holes were slotted origginally so that the assemblies did not have to be perfect. The problem is made much worse on the trucks now just due to their age. Compressed mounts, rotted cab supports and even tweaked frames can all contribute to fit issues. I have actually had trucks come into the shop that could not be bolted back together with the column they came in with unless a lot of repair was done first. hawkrod