power steering on a highboy

[68f250guy]

yes i do know there is a page for this topic and i just want to know if there is anyone who has used a 4x4 box off the 76 to 79 f250s or any other box with success
please post what you bought and had to do for it to work properly
i have access to both types of boxes and other complete setups for 75.00 my choice
let me know
this is of course refering to the 67 to 72 bumps fo show yo!!!!!
ha ha
thanks guys

[fordman]

here is a pic of how mine was put on. they welded on a bracket to the frame and put the 2wd saginaw power steering box in it.

[Doug Comer]

'm using the 78-79 f250 4x box on my highboy. Did the swap a long time ago. Always been happy with it.

Doug

[mlheppl]

Going with the 78-79 F250 4X4 box myself on my 71 highboy. Hope to get most of the conversion done this weekend. If you can wait till then, I'll post some pics.

[68f250guy]

cool get em on if ya can that would be great

[averagef250]

The 78-79 box works, but is far from bolt on. The 73-76 F-250 4x4 parts are truely bolt on, but some feel they're sloppy.

[68f250guy]

but those are ram assist though right? the 73 to 76 ers that is.... dont want that if so and i knew they were bolt in. if thats not the case what would make them feel sloppy... poor design of box location/ design of box? i want to leave the truck as stock as possible so any cutting to frame is out of the question for sure.... welding okay that can be cut back out and ground down thanks for the info once again guys!!!!!!

[averagef250]

They are ram assist. Ram assist works far better than a power box in function. A power box has all the same components, just packaged internally so you can't see them and they must act on the front tires through more tie rods. Power assist acts directly on the knuckles.

The pitfall of 73-77 power assist is it's reliance on a push-pull type control valve in the steering linkage and the ram being non-repairable.

If you want killer power assist steering buy a miniature power steering servo in extra soft from Sweet manufacturing. These are what is used in most circle race cars. Use this to control any aftermarket hydraulic steering cylinder you like. The steering servo will mount inline in your steering shaft before the steering box, it's rather compact. Lines will run from your pump to the servo and from the servo to the ram. With a saginaw pump your pinky will turn large tires lock-lock and there won't be any slop in driving, no frame modifications and a steering system far better than anything any pickup ever had from the factory. You will have $600-$700 in parts including custom 10K psi JIC hydraulic lines and a decent saginaw pump.

[68f250guy]

steering servos i find that funny due to enjoying flying rc planes and helis and when i think servos i think smaller scale not 1:1 ha ha i may have one that works........ill have to check the foot lbs torque on it........
kidding of course i know they are out there though well thanks again for any insight that is givin all is truly appreciated the idea of the ram assist stuff is good just dont like the looks of the factory stuff... blah and 6 to 7 bills aint bad for a more than likely "cleaner" setup... will keep it in the back of my mind

[Doug F]

I bought the BC Broncos 4x4x2 steering box and it just came on Friday, I am waiting on some hoses, but it will be an easy bolt-in swap. The box is all new and converted to turn properly in our 4x4s and is $450.

Anyone want to buy a 4x4 manual gear that has almost never been used?

[68f250guy]

heres the thing though the f150 and f250 are completely different from each other and nothing is listed for the highboys on bc broncos so......... no surprise there but all in all these are still easy to work on and most of the time tuff to find parts for ( 5 or 6 months to find rear driveshaft and a pair of rear brake cables) great combination!!!!!
still love it though

[Doug F]

Oh yeah, sorry... Slipped my mind that the F250 has a totally different system.

[averagef250]

Oh yeah, sorry... Slipped my mind that the F250 has a totally different system.

The 67-77 F-250 4x4's are thier own animal in terms of steering. There is no off the shelf bolt on kit, and no kit period that's worth a salt.

[mlheppl]

68f250guy

I wasn't able to get going on my installation until yesterday. Here's a link to the thread I started documenting my conversion on my 71 highboy.

http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... 22&t=48936

Mike

[akforceten]

this is what i did there was no cutting or welding just drilling two holes http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/pictu ... reid=36455