Technical F-100 pitman arm.

Got a F100 steering box for my av8 flathead highboy roadster. Cut off the mounting ears , got the side steer flange kit and everything looks good. My pitman arm has the ball so that makes it a 1953-56. Looking for the one with the tapered hole. I’m told that’s a 57-60. Is that true ? Can’t find one anywhere. Hopefully someone can tell me if that’s the right year and maybe someone has one they’d like to sell to help a nice old guy out.

 

I used a F-100 '55 box in my '32. I used the '55 pitman arm and shortened a Model A or '32 tie rod and used it for the drag link so it is adjustable.

Dave

 

The 57-60 box is larger.I believe the pitman shaft is larger too.

 

According to what was posted in this Ford barn thread you can use a 57/60 arm https://fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=195089

More info here in that if you get the pitman arm for a 57/59 Gemmer sterring box that is 1.250 ID you are good but the ones for 59/60 Saginaw boxes are differerent. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1221042-pitman-arm-question.html

I've found out in the past that there is a good knowledge base on the Ford Trucks board but you still have to sift the wheat from the chaff just as you do here.

 

HAHAHAHA, that was me looking. I didn't find the right one and went with the stock arm, modified foot on the box (not the weld on flange), ball socket ends on both sides and made my own bar.

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/automotive-a-d-d-the-28-tudor.753531/#post-9655681

 

53-60 boxes are the same. The pitman arms 53-56 have the ball stud. 57-60 pitman arms have the tapered tie rod end style. Both have the large pinch bolt at the top. Lot easier to find 57-60 than 53-56 trucks in the junkyard, although neither are very common anymore.

 

53-56 and 57-60 are similar, but not the same. It is true that the sector shafts are all 1.250", so the pitman arms interchange, but the 57-60 sector shafts are about 1/8"-3/16" shorter. With these boxes, you already have to move the box closer to the frame in a 32-34 Ford, so that extra little bit of length on the 53-56 boxes really helps to get the column between the pedals and in the right position.

 

there are some on ebay in the $60 dollar range