72 F100 4x4 power steering conversion?

[rgoot01]

Has anybody converted a manual steering F100 4x4 to power steering from a 3/4 ton hiboy? The reason I ask this is because I have a steering box and pump from a 76 F250. I know that aside from the crossmember needing to be replaced the gear box needs to have a plate on the inside of the frame to bolt to. I would just like some insight on how to go about doing this. :fr:

[averagef250]

No, there is no way it could work.

The highboy steering box bolts inside the frame rail with the horizontal sector sticking through the frame. The highboys steer off the knuckle, F-100's steer off the tie rod, very, different setups and I'm pretty sure it's impossible to run a flat top knuckle with a standard steering arm on a coil sprung front axle. The steering arm will not clear the coil.

Also, if you only have the pump and box from a 76 F-250 4x4 you don't have the control valve or ram, pretty much missing the entire system.

You should use the 76-79 F-150 4x4 power box for an early F-100 or bronco PS conversion.

[rgoot01]

What exactly is the purpose of the control valve and the ram? Furthermore what does it plumb to? Couldn't you by pass and plumb the pump directly to the gear box? Also, why would the steering arm interfere with the coil? On a side note I would also like to point out that my gear box has 4 mounting bolts not 3. Doesn't this mean that this box is an integrated box and in turn eliminates the valve and ram?

[averagef250]

4 bolts means it is not from a highboy, it's from a 78-79 F-250 or 350 4x4.

The knuckle steering arms come within a 1/4" of the front leaf springs on an F-250. Coil springs are much larger, there's no way it would clear. But that doesn't matter you have a completely different steering setup than what you thought you had.

You should be able to fab up a plate and mount the box pretty easily. Just turn the arm 90 degrees to connect with the existing drag link. You'll probably have to shorten the drag link a few inches.

[rgoot01]

I like that answers better than the first. Outside of the mounting plate needing fab'd and the front crossmember mod'd should be a bolt up? Cool gonna start ASAP! Thanks for info, you been a great help. The steering comp's were pulled off a 76 250 highboy and as I recall there was a half assed homemade plate to bolt to. I remember thinking when I pulled the gear of the 76 that the plate did not look factory. Thanks again.

[averagef250]

Nothing at all will bolt up whatsoever, but you can make it work with lots of cutting and welding.

The 76-79 coil sprung boxes are a btter way for a coil sprung truck.

[rgoot01]

Well,by bolt on, I was speaking figuratively. For me I'll consider it a bolt on. I am a certified welder here in colorado so when it comes to fab'n and welding its all relatively speaking "bolt on". My philosophy is the more labor intensive and involved the better.