Manual steering box choices

Looking for your opinion on the best manual steering box you could rob from a donor vehicle that would be strong enough for a full size truck.

I'm redoing the column and steering box on my slick F100 but want to keep the manual steering. Gonna use an aftermarket or GM column. Any ideas?

 

what year is your truck? Since they guys building early Fords use the F100 box, I'm kinda leaning towards that as a good box to use.

You might want to give a little more info, like what other modifications you've made to the truck, etc.

fwiw I have the original box in my late 50s chevy trucks.

 

What's Wrong with the original 60's Ford box?

 

Good point. Truck is a 1964 f100, lowered 4 inches in front and 6 in the rear. Stock straight axel.

Stock box needs rebuild and parts are still avail NOS. But I'm thinking of using something newer, custom set up and that I could find at a pick your part.

 

I just purchased a manual f100 from Redhead Steering Gears in Seattle. He remanufactures them better than new with bearings where there were none before! Supposed to last long time!

 

49 Lincoln. I've heard of them and heard they are good. I'd be interested in updates on how it turns out in your truck.

But I'm still curious as to what would be the "go to" box if you had no other option. Thanks for all the I put. Keepem coming!

 

I,m using a Toyota in my 52 f1, 1980 -1984 4x4,then mid fifty sells piman arm,Toyota has both manual and ps.

 

I like the Toyota set up. No one offers a kit for my truck but that shouldn't be too hard to adapt. Anyone have any expirences with 80's full size GM truck/blazer boxes?

 

Its funny you mension that. My 52 f1 had a 84 4x4 box mount ed up behind the parking light.It was a push pull setup and what a mess turn right it would hit the steering link.This was a eby buy and what a junk.The only way out of this was Toyota or MII and didn,t want that bill.Midfifty has a bolt on kit for those truck f100.The Toyota is a good little box and was popular 20 years ago.

 

Toyota kits are made for a 64. I put one in my 61 (same as the 64), but only because I wanted Power. If I were staying manual I would have rebuilt the stock box Instead of adapting something and screwing up the geometry and ending up with bump steer.
These guys specialize in rebuilding steering boxes, exchange or send them yours.
http://www.abspowerbrake.com/newprod.html

 

Hotroddon where did you get the toy box for your 61?

 

Hey, I dunno if you bit the bullet or not yet, but I got that Redhead box up and running. I'd have to agree with Hotroddon in that if your keeping it manual, go with a rebuild. By these guys! I don't have it in a truck like yours, but in my Lincoln, and it feels great. It has more rotation to lock, but at the same time, it's way easier to turn when your not moving, like in parking lots. It's almost like power steering...I don't feel like the car needs it by any means. I do have a big ol' wheel on there for leverage. Haven't had it on the freeway yet, but I'm also thinking that I might not need those radials!

 

49lincoln,

I have not taken the plunge yet but excited about the info you provide. I'm wait on the box got other suspension issues needing fixing first.