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Hot Rods F-1 steering in a 1932 Ford

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Olcars, Apr 4, 2024.

  1. Olcars
    Joined: Oct 6, 2016
    Posts: 94

    Olcars
    Member

    I am interested in hearing from anyone first-hand hat has used a 48-52 F-1 box in a 32. I have a sedan that’s getting an early Hemi, and am considering this setup. I know a Vega cross steer is better, but what would the F1 box be like to drive? Thanks in advance
     
  2. alchemy
    Joined: Sep 27, 2002
    Posts: 22,460

    alchemy
    Member

    Mine drives great! It’s rebuilt, fits nicely with a flathead, and steers easily when the car is moving. Since it’s not power steering it requires a little umph to turn when sitting still.
     
    RICH B likes this.
  3. krylon32
    Joined: Jan 29, 2006
    Posts: 10,588

    krylon32
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Nebraska

    Doesn't an F100 box fit a little better?
     
    IronFord likes this.
  4. redo32
    Joined: Jul 16, 2008
    Posts: 2,294

    redo32
    Member

  5. Speedy Canuck
    Joined: Jun 3, 2010
    Posts: 3,891

    Speedy Canuck
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    F1 box has the steering column come out the 'bottom' of the box. You get a little more header/exhaust room with the lower exit point of the column, but the trade off is a steeper column angle and corresponding steering wheel angle.
    F100 box has the steering column come out the 'top' of the box. Better angle, but possible header/exhaust fitment issues.
     
  6. alchemy
    Joined: Sep 27, 2002
    Posts: 22,460

    alchemy
    Member

    My F-1 box fits in the original hole in the frame, and actually has the flange of the 32 box welded to it. The angle of the steering wheel could not be any better if I had designed it from scratch. I have stock seats, and it allows me to just lay my forearms on the wheel as I grab the top of the wheel. Super comfy.
     
    Tow Truck Tom likes this.
  7. teach'm
    Joined: May 8, 2005
    Posts: 322

    teach'm
    Member
    from Tucson, AZ

    Our previous '32 roadster (The tan one below) had an F1 box, and was a great driver (We put approximately 6,500 miles on it before selling it).

    I'm currently finishing up another '32 roadster with an F1 box, and although it's not yet finished, the little I've been able to drive it has been successful. Using an F1 box instead of an F100 seems to help the angle of the column/wheel.

    IMG_1932.jpg image0.jpeg
    image1.jpeg
     
  8. alchemy
    Joined: Sep 27, 2002
    Posts: 22,460

    alchemy
    Member

    Damn. The price of good F-1 boxes is going to rise even more.
     
    Speedy Canuck and teach'm like this.
  9. hotrodA
    Joined: Sep 12, 2002
    Posts: 7,295

    hotrodA
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    @teach'm
    Beautiful chassis! Is the color Ford Cloud Mist Gray? Or what?
    Thanks!
     
  10. stubbsrodandcustom
    Joined: Dec 28, 2010
    Posts: 2,581

    stubbsrodandcustom
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Spring tx

    Glad I stocked up already.
     
  11. teach'm
    Joined: May 8, 2005
    Posts: 322

    teach'm
    Member
    from Tucson, AZ

    Thanks @hotrodA, it's just a generic single stage green from BASF/RM.



     
  12. Speedy Canuck
    Joined: Jun 3, 2010
    Posts: 3,891

    Speedy Canuck
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    @NealinCA is reproducing F1 boxes as well.
     
  13. Flatheadjohn47
    Joined: Aug 18, 2012
    Posts: 1,384

    Flatheadjohn47
    Member
    from Lewes, DE

    Years ago,enterprising hot rodders used a Mustang steering box(67 and later had a “rag”joint for your steering shaft shaft to hook to) and 66 and earlier had a long 3-4 ft solid shaft. Turn the steering box on its side and make a mount and the Pittman arm will be in line to hook to the left front wheel similar to the f1 box with a lot better choice of bearings to make the steering work easier than the F1 box in question. Yes, I have one Mustang box left in good shape(no Pittman arm) $100 shipping included in continental U. S. John in Texas 979-595-7324 cell. IMG_1601.jpeg
     
  14. Mart
    Joined: Mar 3, 2001
    Posts: 4,995

    Mart
    Member

    I built my 32 sedan with an F1 box. I used a 32 pitman arm and stock 32 spindles. The steering is a little "slow" so is better with a steering wheel that is on the smaller side. I featured it in the build series on my YouTube channel.
    Mart.
    This is a link to the sedan build playlist. I start looking at the steering in part 5.
    https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtwyFkFxie5jBo5tw37tv75lSAjWveT0o
     
    Last edited: Apr 8, 2024
  15. Olcars
    Joined: Oct 6, 2016
    Posts: 94

    Olcars
    Member

    Thanks for the input; I have a 1968 Mustang box that I put in my 1932 Ford pickup. A good system but not so good with split wishbones
     
  16. alchemy
    Joined: Sep 27, 2002
    Posts: 22,460

    alchemy
    Member

    Fine and dandy if you want the pitman to point up. Not so good if you need the pitman to point down like God and Henry designed it.
     
    bct and Speedy Canuck like this.
  17. ALLDONE
    Joined: May 16, 2023
    Posts: 3,502

    ALLDONE
    Member

    question... why can't you cut the f1 shaft and weld a joint to it??
     
  18. wheeltramp brian
    Joined: Jun 11, 2010
    Posts: 3,305

    wheeltramp brian
    Member

    You could if needed
     
    ALLDONE likes this.
  19. ALLDONE
    Joined: May 16, 2023
    Posts: 3,502

    ALLDONE
    Member

    I have a mustang box... and short 4 bar... I wanna go hair pin.....I was thinking f1 on the top off the frame??? pitman on the mustang goes up..and drag link is level. where as the pitman on the f1 goes down,,,I just don't wanna go vega or any cross steer..
     

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