Steering box frame support

[White Lightning]

Hey guys...have a seriously damaged frame where the steering box mounts. I know they make supports for the chevrolets but do they have them for the fords and where should I look to find them? 39 inch tires are very hard on the frame if it has no extra supports. I planning on downsizing but I still need to beef it up. Thanks

[fordman]

the frame is boxed in that area and has a curly que thing inside of the boxed area. for the bolts to go through. if it is broke you can probably weld it back together. the box is only replaceable if you grind it out of one frame and grind it out of the other frame. then it has to be welded back into the frame your going to use. i think the curly que thing make be replaceable and not welded in. maybe. im not sure on that. but it is just a bolt guide really.

[White Lightning]

Update...here's what it looks like now after pulling everything off and realizing the damage. My plan is to cut a square piece of coarse to fill up the hole, with some bracing that will touch the inside of the frame. The problem there is, it's not completely flat on the inside behind that square piece so I may have to use steel tubing that will just fit over the bolts to adjust for the different lengths. The frame curves to the right at the front of the square I cut out. After I get the new piece welded in, then I was going to brace it with a piece of plate over that. Thats the part I was asking about....chevrolet makes a piece that fits over the frame and I think it bolts on. Not sure but I'll send more pics tomorrow. I FINALLY figured out how to download them. What a pain! Suggestions appreciated. Thanks

[White Lightning]

Oh...and the hole on the inside of the frame in that square hole...I didn't do. It was already there. The steering box has 6/91 stamped on it. Complete custom (more like jerry rig)job I'm guessin. Finding lots of that on this ol beauty.

[White Lightning]

Oh...and the hole on the inside of the frame in that square hole...I didn't do. It was already there. The steering box has 6/91 stamped on it. Complete custom (more like jerry rig)job I'm guessin. Finding lots of that on this ol beauty.

[ScreaminZ]

That drop pitman arm isn't helping matters any. It's giving the suspension more leverage against that steering box. A stock pitman arm will have less tendency to damage the frame like that. Unfortunately, due to the amount of lift, you may be stuck using yours because of the angle on the joint. You might consider getting a high steer knuckle on the passenger side and running your drag link to that to cut down on the angle.

Also, consider upgrading to a cylinder assist setup. That will take a lot of the stress off of the gear and move it down to the axle.

[averagef250]

That drop pitman is nuts. Did the truck drive like butt? Crossover with 7/8 or 1" tie rods in heavy tubing with the stock pitman should fix your problem after you fix the frame damage.

There are no reinforcing plates, your issue is isolated, not common.

I've got a spare passenger 5 stud knuckle drilled and tapped if you needed one.

[White Lightning]

Well...to tell you the truth, I'm not sure if it was driving at it's best because those cracks were probably there when I bought it. I didn't actually notice them until after I had the truck home for a few days. The scary thing is...I drove this truck 400 miles back home. All the way from the Alabama/Georgia line to Mount pleasant, SC !

Here are some more pics on my progress. I have decided to cut the inside curve out that ties into the front cross member and weld a flat plate in there as well. In the end result, I'm going to mount the steering box with the bolts thru both sides of the frame with bracing in between. I am finding alot of loose bolts on this truck so I want these to be banjo string tight.