We are building a 58 Ford Sedan Delivery from a 58 Country Sedan Wagon. We are building it to drive and want power steering. I have some PS parts from a '58 Fairlane and am not real thrilled with the design. Anybody done any late 50's power steering conversions?
Hmm... In Europe, some people are using the Opel Omega steering box on 57-64 Fords. But you never got those in US, so they can be hard to find. But since the "new" Pontiac GTO are based on the Opel Omega platform, maybe a steering box from one of those may fit... If they haven't changed to rack/pinion on those or something like that.
58 Ford and power steering are not synonomous with each other. Do some research,there are some well designed power rack systems out there. Some other folks are offering up some steering box swaps but ,alas, they are done with some modified steering boxes,ala 605 box swap to 55-57 Chevy's. When you research the subject,inquire within about some of the vendors you may be considering,as far as service and satisfaction. From what I gather,the well thought out R&P swaps are a joy to drive! Oh,I have a '59 Ford Wagon,and have looked around a little,but my upgrades are sometime down the road. There was an issue of Rod and Custom in '07 I believe,that showed what was available R&P wise.
check hotrodders.com and i believe the topic is 5759 rack and pinion or power steering. there is a really interesting thread talking about good and bad experiences .i personally have a 59 ford ranchwagon which i am installing a wirth designs rack and pinion and hope to soon be using it again as my daily driver
I've heard "rumors" that late 70/early 80 Ford pickup boxes could be adapted. But I've never pinned anyone down on it and haven't checked it out for myself yet. It just my opinion, but to me there's something just not right about rack and pinion in a 50's vehicle. Larry T
heard the toyota swap is common for F100. considered it when i had mine. might be worth a look. http://www.ford-trucks.com/article/...ta_Steering_Box_Swap_For_19481960_Trucks.html
pretty slim pickings for ps. swaps on those fords. the toyota box is great for the trucks but not the cars. the only thing i have heard is using a 605 gm style box. you might look into one of the 55'-57' aftermarket boxes but those are pricey. time to get "thrilled" if you have a factory ps. setup. sounds like your in the same boat as the 49'-54' chevy dudes got any good pic's of your steering setup might just spark a design from someone.
the 605 boxes i have seen converted and talked to the owners all regret having installed the 605. i have met guys in person listened to their story and it mimicked what i saw on the internet.while r & p may not look right it works great from what i heard and you really can't even see the rack as it is buried behind the crossmember. i have not installed mine yet as i am doing the body work now and as soon as it's back on the road (hopefully a few months) i will let you know my opinion on how it drives.if your interested check wurthitdesigns.com i think guy has some neat old fords on his site
I have a '57 ford and did a little checking in to steering upgrade's for mine. I have a factory power steering set up on mine but I wanted something better. Here is the link I found, he makes a rack convertion, and a lot more. Some of the stuff is a little pricey but it is worth a look. Here is a link, http://www.wurthitdesigns.com/57Ford.htm CBB
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