Power steering different for 4x4?

[cancow]

Is adding PS on a 67' the same for a 2wd as it would be for adding one on a 4x4? Would a bendix setup work on a 67' 4x4?

[averagef250]

It's completely different, but a bendix can be made to work. It's not ideal though.

[cancow]

What would be "ideal"?

[forrestbump]

Right here in the technical section on this great site http://www.fordification.com/tech/powersteering4wd.htm ideal? well it's one way, but you could also install a ram assist power steering system just like Ford did when our trucks were built. Biggest challenge is finding parts for the power assist system as most of them are no longer available if I recall correctly.

[hazelnut]

[quote="cancow"]Is adding PS on a 67' the same for a 2wd as it would be for adding one on a 4x4? Would a bendix setup work on a 67' 4x4?
Is the 4x4 a F100 or a F250, F100 4x4s have the steering box outside the frame, A F250 has the steering box inside the frame. Both mount different and use different boxes and are in a different location than 4x2s.

[cancow]

It is an F250.

Is adding PS on a 67' the same for a 2wd as it would be for adding one on a 4x4? Would a bendix setup work on a 67' 4x4?
Is the 4x4 a F100 or a F250, F100 4x4s have the steering box outside the frame, A F250 has the steering box inside the frame. Both mount different and use different boxes and are in a different location than 4x2s.

[woods]

Yeah, I used a 79 box on mine. I had to build a few things to make it like I wanted, but nothing too huge. If I were doing it again, I probably would go with a Saginaw box.

[steves67]

I purchased a 67 that someone took the running gear and power steering from a 76 and dont like it. the larger tires will rub the bendix portion of the steering. I am looking for options on what to do next, i even used tires that are 12.5 vs the 15.5 the previous owner had on truck and they still rub the bendix arm. see photos attached, if i were you i would not even consider this option. the photo has the old 15.5 tires

[woods]

Yeah, I have never been a big fan of that set-up.

[1971ford]

Agreed! Original push pull style steering is a joke.
Especially when you lift your truck and you have zero turning radius when turning to the right


I will be using a 1990 dodge 2wd box on my highboy. It's on my cummins donor, and looks like it will be too easy to make the swap. Only issue about this box is that it bolts to the outside of the frame, but I am not worried as my truck is lifted a ways, and there is no way the turning radius could be any worse than what it s with this push pull garbage
Also, a guy swapping the same box on his highboy checked clearance with 35's and no lift and it checked out fine.

I am doing inverted T style steering for now (with this axle). Crossover when I get a new axle.

[averagef250]

If 35X12.50's are rubbing the valve with power assist something isn't right like your wheel offset.

Seems pretty popular to slam the power assist on online forums, but there are lots of trucks running it with no issue.

What I see upgrading a wide range of 4x4 pickups and SUV's is the trucks that came with power boxes crack the frames around the box mounting while the trucks that came with power assist (really just the push-pull type) leak more often and have more slop than power box trucks.

The solution for the power box guys is to convert to power assist, placing the forces of turning the tires on the axle housing. The solution for a lot of the power assist guys is to fabricate a mounting for a power box.

It's a "Grass is greener on the other side" situation.

From a practical standpoint-

If crossover steering is a requirement you cannot use the original highboy steering box, so use the 78-79 box.

If you don't need crossover steering power assist works really good with a torsion valve and a hydraulic cylinder. These parts cost less new than rebuilding the original 73-77 F-250 4x4 power assist components.

[steves67]

Here is a question, if i were to remove my power assist "bendix" style system and wanted to convert to let's say a 79 box, what happens to the hydraulic cylinder on the front axel? do you have to rob the entire steering from the donor truck? Hope that doesn't sound odd but I am thinking of doing the swap and have questions on what all you would need to change out?