49 ford f1 steering question

I have a friend of mine that has a 49 ford f1 pickup. He wants to put in a power steering set up of some type in it. The reason behind all this is cuz he has heart issues and cant put really any strain on his chest. So it hurts to steer the thing. He's runnin a flathead and the stock I beam. So what I'm asking is without clipping it how can a power rack & pinion be adapted to the stock front end? Has anybody on here know how or know anyone who has done something like this? Keep in mind he doesnt want to subframe it mainly cuz the nose is molded to the cab. Any info or help on how to do something like this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanx,

Hot Rod Harry

 

Look at circa 1960--62 Chevy/corvette and 50's-60's Fords for stuff than could be adapted to this setup...all pretty clunky, complex, and obsolete. A modern box might give a better PS setup here.

 

A lot of people seem to use 80's toyota pickup steering boxes.

I would imagine that some type of power asist setup like was on mid 70's ford f-250 4x4's could work too if he wanted to keep the stock steering box.

 

i am pretty sure he wants to keep the stock box cuz we just got done rebuilding it well at least for now. I was thinkin changin the box to something else would be better but the guy is a little thick headed. plus would you be able to utilize the stock column? cuz i thought you would have to switch all that out?

 

The setups I referred to all fit into the drag link area using a manual box...essentiall a valve and hydraulic ram attach to the linkage, and any box could provide the guidance. Some of these setups like vette even used early Ford style ball and socket joints...
The arrangement is a pretty messy pile of clutter, though.

 

Here is my 49 with the power toyota steering box. It hooks up to the original drag link just like the stock box. It is possible to use the stock column, but you lose the horn wire that runs down the middle of the column. You can buy a kit with the mounting bracket, pitman arm, etc from several different vendors or you can make your own. I made my bracket and bought the pitman arm. Hope this helps.

 

Going to a shorter pitman arm will make the steering easier. May be your easiest fix.

 

You would be on your own with the engineering but the Chevy astrovan is a reverse swing box. I am using one in a different application.