Building a traditional hot rod using the early F100 box. The original 32 steering box fits the firewall hole perfectly but the 1955 F100 is not. It appears the sector length and mounting snout is shorter than the original 32. This works ok but robs some foot room to operate the clutch pedal left of the steering column. I am maxed out as the pitman is just clearing the outside frame. Any ideas what may be the problem.?
It is tough to get s pic now assembled. Again it seems like the snout is too short. I really have a lot of exhaust -manifold to steering box clearance now. The original 32 with a flathead v8 was close to the manifold and box. I used a thin wedge between frame and box to align everything to the dash column mount. The column is to the left of the firewall opening 2 in.
It is hard to accurately measure but the top box looks right and 5 1/2 to 6in. machined edge to machined edge.
You cannot just bolt the gear to the frame, there is a special wedge type spacer that sandwiches in between the box mount and the frame rail to angle the column so it lines up correctly. *** Just noticed you do have the wedge spacer, missed that the first time through.
The sector on the F-100 is short. Vern Tardel made a wedge to align the box, but discontinued the item because it was too thick and the pitman didn't have enough clearance. If your pitman still clears with your spacer you'll be okay. On my 32 the F-100 box was added in 1955. The guy made a beautiful box to the outside of the frame, this moved the the steering to the left and the attachment on the dash was also moved. Everything works well with the exception of steering wheel clearance with the door. It has F-1 peddles that canter nicely.
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