F100 steering gears; turning radius

[jzjames]

Anybody know if the turning radius is shorter on any of the Saginaw/Bendix/power/manual steering choices we have on our trucks?

[390Nut]

Not 100% sure, but I believe you lose a bit of turning radius when swapping to power steering from manual. At least that's what I remember being told by a few that had done it in the past, so don't hold me to it! (it was at the "other" forum )

I've never seen the turning radius specs for any of these old trucks in print anywhere, at leaast in none of the brochures I have or have seen. It would be interesting to see just what the specs are.

[68F250]

The turning radius is set by the steering stops on the spindles/axles, not the steering box.

[jzjames]

Yes the max. tightest turning radius would be determined by the steering stops, but the steering wheel turns might vary on the way.

[68F250]

Ok I guess I don't understand what the question is. Do you want to know what the box turning ratios are?

[FORDification]

PAGE 7 of the '71 brochure "How to Pick a Pickup" shows the turning radius as 43' 6". I'm sure it's also listed in some of my other manuals, I'll do some poking around tonight and see what I can find, to see if it ever changed.

[jzjames]

Guess what I'm asking is for example: a man. steering gear takes say, 4 full turns to the stop and maybe a power steering box might take 3.5. Make sense? I asked this before on the 67 F-series Registry forum but it's always been vague.

[68F250]

Got it! Here's what the manuals say:

Bendix Power box
Gear Ratio - 17.5:1
Turns of Wheel, full left to full right - 3.88

Ford Power box
Gear Ratio - 16:1
Turns of Wheel, full left to full right - 4

Manual box
Gear Ratio - 24:1
Turns of Wheel, full left to full right - 6

Note: Turns of Wheel, full left to full right is for the gear box only, not attached to pitman arm. It will be less when it hits the stops so I guess I still haven't answered your question.

[jzjames]

Excellent. Thanks. So if I ever get power steering in my truck, it should steer alot "tighter" and be more responsive, right? jz

[rjewkes]

should be more responsive. Yes except at higer rpms/speeds. And tight hmmm. is around the cornert at 55 mph on 1 1/2 wheels tight? j/k i have noticed a nice and tight turning radios but a semi easy steer. Pencil pushing geeks with little stick arms could steer it.

[jzjames]

Yeah Im thinking, 'OK power steering gear - 4 turns of the wheel, stop to stop, and my manual steering - 6 turns!' Sometimes I feel like I'm driving a bus when Im wheeling around and around in the parking lot or somethin! Even with my nice new foam grip wheel!