Drag Link for '71 F250, 4wd, PS?

[71_F250]

First timer here but long time Ford Fanatic. Got a '67 Mustang and a '96 F350 Diesel. Just bought my first older F series truck; a '71 F250, 4wd, Power Assist steering, drum brakes all arond, 390, 4 speed. She's been a farm and hunting truck and shows some wear and tear, but almost no rust and very much worth saving/restoring. I'm gonna try my best to save her!

I'm need a new drag link. The ball joint is worn to an unsafe level. I don't dare drive it. I've done some research here at FORDification and all over the web. I've found that the drag link is obsolete and none are available. I believe the part nubmer is DOTZ3A540B, but I'm not sure. Green Sales in Cincinnait told me that was the part number.

* Does anyone have a gently used drag link for sale?
* Are drag link ball joints repairable? Know anyone that does this kind of work?
* Is there an alternative drag link or linkage setup that would work? I'm willng to get creative and use other parts.
* As a last resourt, do you think I could have a machine shop cut off the ball joint and thread the cut end of the drag link end to take a new, shorter ball joint and adjustment sleeve?

I know the very best answer is probably to swap out the front axle for one with disc brakes and that would most likely bring a whole different PS setup with it. I'd do it if it was all bolt on. From what I've read here (FORDificaiotn) there's some fab work necessary. I can weld, but no welder, etc..

Thanks!
Brian

[fordman]

is this the part you are wanting? bottom of page number 4. part number 45-2425 http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/fc/full.aspx?Page=104

[71_F250]

The LMC part (45-2425) is close but not right. The hole where the PS power cylinder bolts onto my drag link is 12" from the ball joint, not close to the threaded end like the 45-2425 part. Yea, I'm thinking I may end up having to get some machine work done on the one I have. Perhaps cut off the ball joint, have the drag link threaded and then install a threaded joint and new short ball joint like the left side has.

I may have found something that will work. This is a Moog DS837 drag link intended for a 76 F250. It look identiacal to what's on my '71 F250. I'm going to contact the seller and get some dimensions.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1976-76- ... ccessories

avergagef250 - Believe it or not, the power assist on this truck is factory. Truck was built in March '70. The guy I bought it from swears it came that way. It all looks totally factory to me and I think I coudl tell if someone tried to retrofit poser assist into the truck. But I coudl be wrong! If I am wrong, what would you guess the axle came off of? I believe it's a Dana 44 3500lb axle. The axle code on my VIN tag is 24k. 24 = rear axle is Dana 60 5200 lb and the k = front axle is Dana 44 3500 lb. I beleive Ford used an F350 axle on my F250 from the factory. Ford did strange things when parts got tight and the line needed to roll! I know becasue I've seen some intersting things on classic Mustangs. Things that weren't supposed to occur.

[fireguywtc]

The LMC part (45-2425) is close but not right. The hole where the PS power cylinder bolts onto my drag link is 12" from the ball joint, not close to the threaded end like the 45-2425 part. Yea, I'm thinking I may end up having to get some machine work done on the one I have. Perhaps cut off the ball joint, have the drag link threaded and then install a threaded joint and new short ball joint like the left side has.

I may have found something that will work. This is a Moog DS837 drag link intended for a 76 F250. It look identiacal to what's on my '71 F250. I'm going to contact the seller and get some dimensions.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1976-76- ... ccessories

Let me know what you find out. I got a PS set up from the junk yard a couple of weeks ago and I couldn't get the drag link off.

[averagef250]

avergagef250 - Believe it or not, the power assist on this truck is factory. Truck was built in March '70. The guy I bought it from swears it came that way. It all looks totally factory to me and I think I coudl tell if someone tried to retrofit poser assist into the truck. But I coudl be wrong! If I am wrong, what would you guess the axle came off of? I believe it's a Dana 44 3500lb axle. The axle code on my VIN tag is 24k. 24 = rear axle is Dana 60 5200 lb and the k = front axle is Dana 44 3500 lb. I beleive Ford used an F350 axle on my F250 from the factory. Ford did strange things when parts got tight and the line needed to roll! I know becasue I've seen some intersting things on classic Mustangs. Things that weren't supposed to occur.

Believe it or not I've owned around 3 dozen 67-77 F-250 4x4's. Do you have any idea how many guys have tried to tell me that a 1972 or older F-250 4x4 came factory with power steering?

If the truck was a very late 72 I could believe it could have possibly come with PS, but it would not be the setup you have. The early ross stuff was totally different, very problematic and is not around today unless the truck was parked with less than 20K on it. The stuff you have is 74-77 vintage. BTW, you can't tell it isn't factory by looking at it. The stuff bolts directly on, just two holes need drilled into the frame rail to attach the hard line bracket to the frame.