1968 Ford F100 center link hitting radius arm
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1968 Ford F100 center link hitting radius arm
Hi guys. I'm working on putting a 1968 Ford F100 back together. Learning lots as I go and I'm I'm having fun doing it.
Some background first. It has djm dream beams with 1977 f100 disk brakes. Motor will be a 460 with c6 auto trans.
So today I mounted my 77 power steering box and attached the center link from the passenger side and noticed the center link hits the top of the radius arm. And yes I do have the relocator on the center link that came with the dream beams.
My question....is this just purely because I dont have the 750lb motor and trans installed, or am I missing something, or am I using the wrong combo of parts.
thanks
Kevin
Some background first. It has djm dream beams with 1977 f100 disk brakes. Motor will be a 460 with c6 auto trans.
So today I mounted my 77 power steering box and attached the center link from the passenger side and noticed the center link hits the top of the radius arm. And yes I do have the relocator on the center link that came with the dream beams.
My question....is this just purely because I dont have the 750lb motor and trans installed, or am I missing something, or am I using the wrong combo of parts.
thanks
Kevin
Last edited by Dynomite99 on Fri Jan 11, 2019 2:32 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: 1968 Ford F100 Steering question
Here's a couple of pics to help describe what i'm talking about. Thanks
Kevin
Kevin
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- Ranchero50
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Re: 1968 Ford F100 center link hitting radius arm
I don't think you have much choice beyond checking it with a load.
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Re: 1968 Ford F100 center link hitting radius arm
Thanks for the reply. The only other thought I had is that the pitman arm is not correct for the application. I'm hoping someone that has done a similar swap can chime in.Ranchero50 wrote:I don't think you have much choice beyond checking it with a load.
Kevin
- Ranchero50
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Re: 1968 Ford F100 center link hitting radius arm
The F-100-250 arm is different from the F-350 arm which has more drop to allow for the taller frame rails. About 1/2" or so difference and they are direct swaps. If you go that route I'd suggest doing the same for the passenger side to help keep bump steer even.
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- DuckRyder
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Re: 1968 Ford F100 center link hitting radius arm
Honestly, I would wait until I had it together to worry a lot about this...
Robert
1972 F100 Ranger XLT (445/C6/9” 3.50 Truetrac)
"An unarmed man can only flee from evil, and evil is not overcome by fleeing from it." -- Jeff Cooper
1972 F100 Ranger XLT (445/C6/9” 3.50 Truetrac)
"An unarmed man can only flee from evil, and evil is not overcome by fleeing from it." -- Jeff Cooper
- sargentrs
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Re: 1968 Ford F100 center link hitting radius arm
I kinda agree with your concerns. My truck is all original I-beams. I have installed discs from a '74. No engine, tranny or front clip like yours. Center link, tie rods and pitman are loose bolted. Here's how mine looks. With added weight, I would expect top clearance to decrease.
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Randy
1970 F100 Sport Custom Limited LWB, 302cid, 3 on the tree. NO A/C, NO P/S, NO P/B. Currently in 1000 pcs while rebuilding. Project thread: http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... 22&t=59995 Plan: 351w, C4, LSD, pwr front disc, p/s, a/c, bucket seats, new interior and paint.
1987 F-150 XLT Lariat, 5.0/C6 auto.
1970 F100 Sport Custom Limited LWB, 302cid, 3 on the tree. NO A/C, NO P/S, NO P/B. Currently in 1000 pcs while rebuilding. Project thread: http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... 22&t=59995 Plan: 351w, C4, LSD, pwr front disc, p/s, a/c, bucket seats, new interior and paint.
1987 F-150 XLT Lariat, 5.0/C6 auto.
- DuckRyder
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Re: 1968 Ford F100 center link hitting radius arm
Actually in reviewing the pictures It seems your pittman arm has less offset than Randy’s.
I’ll go look at mine in the morning.
In the mean time you may find some pictures in my project thread helpful. http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... 7&start=75
I’ll go look at mine in the morning.
In the mean time you may find some pictures in my project thread helpful. http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... 7&start=75
Robert
1972 F100 Ranger XLT (445/C6/9” 3.50 Truetrac)
"An unarmed man can only flee from evil, and evil is not overcome by fleeing from it." -- Jeff Cooper
1972 F100 Ranger XLT (445/C6/9” 3.50 Truetrac)
"An unarmed man can only flee from evil, and evil is not overcome by fleeing from it." -- Jeff Cooper
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Re: 1968 Ford F100 center link hitting radius arm
My P/S gear and pitman came from a '71.
Randy
1970 F100 Sport Custom Limited LWB, 302cid, 3 on the tree. NO A/C, NO P/S, NO P/B. Currently in 1000 pcs while rebuilding. Project thread: http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... 22&t=59995 Plan: 351w, C4, LSD, pwr front disc, p/s, a/c, bucket seats, new interior and paint.
1987 F-150 XLT Lariat, 5.0/C6 auto.
1970 F100 Sport Custom Limited LWB, 302cid, 3 on the tree. NO A/C, NO P/S, NO P/B. Currently in 1000 pcs while rebuilding. Project thread: http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... 22&t=59995 Plan: 351w, C4, LSD, pwr front disc, p/s, a/c, bucket seats, new interior and paint.
1987 F-150 XLT Lariat, 5.0/C6 auto.
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Re: 1968 Ford F100 center link hitting radius arm
So I guess I need to determine if there is a difference between '67-72 and '73-'79 p/s gears and pitman arms. Hopefully next weekend i'll get an opportunity to get the 460 mocked up and see if i'm really screwed .DuckRyder wrote:Actually in reviewing the pictures It seems your pittman arm has less offset than Randy’s.
I’ll go look at mine in the morning.
In the mean time you may find some pictures in my project thread helpful. http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... 7&start=75
Thanks to everyone for their replies so far.
Kevin
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Re: 1968 Ford F100 center link hitting radius arm
Thanks for the pic. Your pitman arm does look different. Although with weight added I would think the top clearance would increase as the frame (and the steering gear bolted to it) drops with the added weight.sargentrs wrote:I kinda agree with your concerns. My truck is all original I-beams. I have installed discs from a '74. No engine, tranny or front clip like yours. Center link, tie rods and pitman are loose bolted. Here's how mine looks. With added weight, I would expect top clearance to decrease.
Kevin
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Re: 1968 Ford F100 center link hitting radius arm
I checked the number on the gear. Hard to tell if it's D1 or D7sargentrs wrote:My P/S gear and pitman came from a '71.
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- DuckRyder
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Re: 1968 Ford F100 center link hitting radius arm
FWIW.
My truck is a 72 and has factory PS. I believe the box is original. It has 74 disc on it and already had the pittman arm that works with the later steering linkage. This was AFAIK on late 71 and 72 bumps ONLY. (See the disk conversion article here)
Here are a couple shots of the linkage through the radius rods.
My truck is a 72 and has factory PS. I believe the box is original. It has 74 disc on it and already had the pittman arm that works with the later steering linkage. This was AFAIK on late 71 and 72 bumps ONLY. (See the disk conversion article here)
Here are a couple shots of the linkage through the radius rods.
Robert
1972 F100 Ranger XLT (445/C6/9” 3.50 Truetrac)
"An unarmed man can only flee from evil, and evil is not overcome by fleeing from it." -- Jeff Cooper
1972 F100 Ranger XLT (445/C6/9” 3.50 Truetrac)
"An unarmed man can only flee from evil, and evil is not overcome by fleeing from it." -- Jeff Cooper
- Ranchero50
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Re: 1968 Ford F100 center link hitting radius arm
Steering box drops in relation to the tire as weight is added so the rods would drop in the opening. The different swing length between the I beams and tie rods adds to it as well.sargentrs wrote:I kinda agree with your concerns. My truck is all original I-beams. I have installed discs from a '74. No engine, tranny or front clip like yours. Center link, tie rods and pitman are loose bolted. Here's how mine looks. With added weight, I would expect top clearance to decrease.
'70 F-350 CS Cummins 6BT 10klb truck 64k mile Bahama Blue
Contact me for CNC Dome Lamp Bezels and Ash Tray pulls.
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Re: 1968 Ford F100 center link hitting radius arm
So i've re-read the disk brake conversion article as well as the section on steering linkage differences. I went out and double checked my setup. I have the later style pitman arm as well as the later style steering linkage. The only items up front original to the '68 are the radius arms. Unless the radius arms are MUCH bigger on the '73-'79, i'm down to waiting to get the weight of the motor in there to see if that corrects things.DuckRyder wrote:FWIW.
My truck is a 72 and has factory PS. I believe the box is original. It has 74 disc on it and already had the pittman arm that works with the later steering linkage. This was AFAIK on late 71 and 72 bumps ONLY. (See the disk conversion article here)
Kevin