May swap back to manual steering on my 71 F100

dotcentral · Post by **dotcentral** » October 22, 2011, 1:00 pm

So, despite not having much room in my garage, I will hit the yards and accumulate the required peices. This would be very similar to the process on a 65 or 66 F100. And the reverse process from what most people do. Oh well, I'd rather put up with smaller tires on the front and some parking lot arm wrestling than the floating feel I currently have.

My memory of this is the PS pitman arm is different than the manual steering pitman arm. Is this correct, or was the difference disc brake related?

I priced rebuilt boxes at NAPA, $170 for p/s, $380 for manual. Wow. Something on there about the the steering gear spine count was different depending on P/S or manual. 32 vs. 28 splines. Is that correct?

I will need a steering box & maybe a pitman arm. I already have a manual steer firewall bracket for mounting the column. May try to keep the PS steering column, I could use the extra space I think. Any parts I'm forgetting?

To get a steering box out, I will likely need a puller of some sort. I have a steering wheel puller, will that work, or do I need to hit the store for another puller?

I'll probably want to go back to a stock or similar size steering wheel to help steering leverage. Those that have repaired old wheels, how are they hoding up?

FordChild · Post by **FordChild** » October 22, 2011, 4:28 pm

Good idea, I'm thinking the same. I saw an article in a HotRod Mag about new king-pin bushings that are made with roller needle bearings instead of just brass sleeves. The test results showed around 30% less actual force needed to turn steering wheel (ie: poor man's power steering!) I don't know if they are making them to fit F100's yet, but it sounds excellent.

bobenhotep · Post by **bobenhotep** » October 23, 2011, 8:46 am

the kingpins on a tractor trailer are built that way, not only is there a needle bearing cup, but also a bearing on the bottom. I contemplated replacing the upper cup with a cup off of a large u joint, like a big spicer off of a tractor trailer.

Gatkpartz6179 · Post by **Gatkpartz6179** » October 23, 2011, 9:25 am

I have a few good manual boxes ready to go cheap with related parts

Alan Mclennan · Post by **Alan Mclennan** » October 23, 2011, 4:22 pm

FordChild wrote:Good idea, I'm thinking the same. I saw an article in a HotRod Mag about new king-pin bushings that are made with roller needle bearings instead of just brass sleeves. The test results showed around 30% less actual force needed to turn steering wheel (ie: poor man's power steering!) I don't know if they are making them to fit F100's yet, but it sounds excellent.

They do sound good!, what about one to go between the axle and the stub axle!

http://www.rodandcustommagazine.com/tip ... index.html

DIXONBOY · Post by **DIXONBOY** » October 24, 2011, 5:57 pm

When I did my swap from a 65 with p/s to a 65 without The pitman arm holes were differnt sizes.

ezernut9mm · Post by **ezernut9mm** » October 24, 2011, 8:32 pm

i think the pitman arms are shaped different.

slick4x4 · Post by **slick4x4** » October 24, 2011, 8:58 pm

FordChild wrote: king-pin bushings that are made with roller needle bearings instead of just brass sleeves. .

never thought about it ... but the 'king-pins' in a 4x4 ARE bearings...
i have never thought it was that hard to steer my truck....
maybe that is why

it honestly turns easier than my unibody

DIXONBOY · Post by **DIXONBOY** » October 25, 2011, 8:38 am

My pitman arms were the sam other than the sector shft hole.

May swap back to manual steering on my 71 F100

May swap back to manual steering on my 71 F100

man s boxes and arms