Ok. Here is all the info on what I am dealing with. By the way, I am new to the HAMB and love all the info, tips, and builds. Thanks for all your posts and great stuff on here. I am building a 1950 Ford F1 and have been at it since Nov 2010. It has been one cool and crazy adventure. I'll try to start a build sometime soon. Back to the steering issue. When I bought my truck it came with two steering boxes. I thought they were the same until last week. One is complete and in great shape. The other has seen better days. I blasted and painted the box (Gemmer #4) I was going to use and when putting it together, I ran across an issue. The pitman arm I have is too small - 28 spline and what I need is the larger 32 spline. After some research (thanks to some past posts) I learned that I have one original box and one off a F4 to F6. I have been searching all weekend for a pitman arm for the larger box (OEM# RT-3590). No luck, but I ran across a guy who told me that putting the larger box in my truck will be a nightmare. So there is my question. It is a pain and hard to adapt my larger box to my truck. Or should I rebuild the original. By the way the, the original is missing some covers, but i do work at a machine shop. Any help will be much appreciated. Thanks again. //CHRIS The painted steering box and column is the larger Gemmer #4. The last 4 pics is what i have of the original.
I am thinking the box will fit your truck okay, but it will be geared lower than a half ton box. More turns lock to lock. V/8
Read that about the turns lock to lock being more. The mounting holes have a larger pattern as well, as the column is longer. If anyone is trying to find a pitman arm for the F4-F5 box, here is the part number - 7RT-3590. I called a few and found out nobody is making them, just will have to find an old original one. I think am going to stick with the original. Just rebuilt it. Its missing the plates that close it in on the sides...who takes things apart with out putting it back together, and losing stuff. Some peoples kids. Anyways, I need to find another box with all parts still intact. Thanks for the info V8. I am selling the larger box if anyone wants it?
F1 boxes are pretty easy to find. I would think you could find a junk box with the parts you need cheap.
Just for heck of it I mounted the larger F4 box. I think it fits fine. The column is only like an 1/8 larger than the F1 column and I could only get one bolt in the mounting holes on the frame. Drilling the others is not going to be a major issue. I believe I am going to run it until it craters or i find the parts for the F1 box and rebuilt it. The only issue now is to fab up a way to mount the pitman arm from the F1 box to the F4. Probably will just drill the F1 pitman arm out to fit the sector shaft and put a flat spot on the sector shaft with a bolt through the pitman. Kinda like how the 53 f100 and up are built. The steering wheel is about 5 inches out from the dash and the larger box is 6 turns lock to lock. Parking should be fun! Thanks for the help guys. //CHRIS
I'd run the F4 box. It should feel like power steering in a half-ton. Have you been in contact with Joblot Automotive in New York? They have parts for the mid-sized trucks. Just another option....
i'm in the same boat....bought what i thought was a f1 but i guess its an f3, without the pitman ....my friend sent me an arm and it was too small.....i'm looking for the big arm . it took some time to get it sorted out .....the box ,column and wheel are mint so i would like to use it.
F-1 through F-3 used the same box. F-4 through F-6 had the same box. I was told using the larger box would make steering a lot easier. If you're going non stock build you could use a Toyota truck box. There is a lot of discussion on the Ford Truck Enthusiasts' site about the Toyota box. http://www.ford-trucks.com/article/...ta_Steering_Box_Swap_For_19481960_Trucks.html
FYI '40-'48 probably ('37-'39 also)passenger car steering box internal parts fit in the F-1 box. The car boxes are a lot easier to find in good condition to use as a parts donor.
you mean the cross steer boxes? well that's good news i should be able to make 2 into 1. with some other junk i have. thanks for the info.
Here is a pic of Toyota PS Box they say Manual box works ok. 1980 1984 4x4 box.Kits and parts Midfity,and others.
mtflat - I heard that it's like having poorboy power steering! Might add power steering later, but why now if I have a good box. Talked to those guys at joblot. They do have all the parts. bct - I couldnt find that pitman arm OEM# 7RT-3590 and nobody makes them. Also heard the larger pitman has a larger ball on the end. Think I am just going to mod the arm a little to fit and still be safe. I'll post some pics when I do. bobj49f2 - Its good to know about the passenger cars using the same style with interchangeable parts. I'll keep my eye out for one. Maybe build the other as a back up or build and sale. Thanks again for all the help. //CHRIS
ya , thats what i hear , i emailed the company provided above and they were nice enough to give me some good info, basically s.o.l.....anyone here with that pitman for sale please p.m. me , i can change the ball .peace
Are there any other power steering boxes that will work besides the toyota mentioned above? Its nice and easy but I cringe a little bit when I think about putting it on an old ford...... Anyone else used something different?
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