Modified 3 speed column for PS (pics now attached)

[72stepside]

My father and I are 80% there. I yanked an old junk 3 speed column to start hacking at it for the PS installation. I figured I'd either make it work or destroy an already beat up column. All we have left to do is cut the steering shaft to get the steering wheel in the appropriate position and to monkey around with the longer shift arm. I put one from an automatic due to the offset bend but it isn't working out like I had hoped. I'm sure we'll come up with something. I need to rob the plastic bushings from the column that was in the truck to get it shifting smoothly.

I printed up the tech articles on the 3 speed column and the Column Sectioning guidelines. Those pictures proved invaluable!!!!

We have taken several pictures and took alot of notes. I'll post up what all we did when we're finished.

It's gonna be nice to be able to manuver in a parking lot without pulling a muscle!!!

[72stepside]

FINISHED !!

Well, except for a few cosmetic items.

I almost wrecked it because the steering is so light and sensitive, much better than the old armstrong set up!!! The only problem is the pump is loud. There is still some air in the fluid. Will this go away?

Pictures are coming!!!


Keith,
I plan to put together our notes and progress pictures. I can send it in a Word document if you want to edit it for a tutorial.

[MAK]

Looking forward to seeing your pictures. I'm planning on doing the same thing and those power steering columns with a 3 speed are few and far between. Watched one on ebay recently that was located not far from me but didn't even reach reserve when bidding stoppped at around $175

[72stepside]

Here are 3 pics. There will be more soon!!!!

I still have to get a firewall flange from an automatic. They seem to have a shorter 'lip' to fit over the column. You can see I had to cut the rubber boot that fits through the firewall to allow the shift levers to work.

I have to re-attach the firewall flange inside the cab. The holes do not line up anymore due to the change in angle.

I have bought a complete high pressure hose and some return hose. The clear return hose is just temporary.

Once again, we'll be preparing a tech article to shed a little light on the process. It's really not that hard if you have a welder, a good tape measure, and PATIENCE !!!

The truck is still at my fathers house. I'll get some better pics posted once I get it home.

P.S. - Don't use the Home Depot brand industrial cleaner to clean powersteering fluid off of Blue Dupli-Color engine paint. It turns it PINK !!! Look at the side of my engine. I'll be repainting it soon.

[FORDification]

...Keith,
I plan to put together our notes and progress pictures. I can send it in a Word document if you want to edit it for a tutorial.

Please do! I'd be very interested in seeing what all you did, as I'm sure many others would be.

[Aaron Martinez]

I am looking to convert my 1971 F100 3 in the tree manual to a 3 in the tree power steering. I am excited to see someone has recently done this project. Good for you.
I could use any information you have available. Correction, I could use anything you have available. Like steering column, PS box, notes ect… Please help if you can.

Thanks
A-ron

[72stepside]

Keith,

Did you get a chance to review my tech article submittal? No hurry, just looking for input.


Aaron,

I can't help you with supplying parts but I can give you all the info I have. I would start with reading the existing tech articles on this site concerning the conversion to power steering and also the 3 Speed Column Examination article. These proved invaluable to my modification. If you'll PM me an email address, I'll email my write up to you. Cutting and welding is required.

If your truck is your daily driver, I do recommend obtaining another column so that if you mess up you'll still have a good one so you can keep driving.

My material list:
3 Speed Column for manual steering
Auto tranny power steering column out of dentside truck
Power steering gearbox out of dentside (I started with a used one but put a remanufactured one on due to excessive play in the used one)
Power steering pump and brackets for your engine
New hoses all around
Firewall brackets (interior and engine compartment) from auto/power steering column

Just keep one thing in mind: You have to take your time and take careful measurements to make this work.

[FORDification]

Keith, Did you get a chance to review my tech article submittal? No hurry, just looking for input....

Yes I did....sorry about the delay in getting this done. It's now been posted to the following URL:

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

Let me know what you think. You included 2 pictures, I added several more that I thought would help with the visualization. If you'd prefer not having them there, since it IS your tech article, just let me know and I'll remove them. Nice work, BTW!!

[72stepside]

Keith,

It looks good just like it is. Hopefully others can make heads or tails of what we did and have a successful modification. Almost a month later the mod is still working like a champ.

Now for an attempt to install an NOS A/C unit from a '68 Galaxie...

I'll keep everyone posted!!!