not sure if this is the right place to ask but here goes. what steering box and colume fits the A 30-31 frame and cowl the best? i have avalable to me a 56 ford half ton box and colume. thinking about changeing out and thought id ask the experts here whats required and what works best
Put a couple of them in Model A's. Usually cut down the flange to better fit into the frame, like in the attached picture. May need to shim the mount to put the column in the right place. Some people cut off the flange and put a new one on; @Andy posted a tech on this here or on the Ford Barn. A later pitman arm uses a regular tie rod end if you don't want to mess with the ball and socket end the '56 uses.
If you have the steering box that uses the big ugly pinch bolt on the pitman arm, some folks mill the end of the sector shaft square to accept the model A pitman arm
Your question is kinda open ended....I mean...a "stock" box is gonna fit best....also the worst performance. You could use a model A sector housing on a 32-34 box and bolt it in. Nealinca makes several good solutions. Personally I would stay away from a 56 f100 box. The draglink is huge and ugly.
I made a weld jig off a 32 steering box. I welded a new flange on to fit the car. No cutting and it fit perfectly the first time. I also cut the pitman shaft down to fit an A pitman arm. That way I did not have enlarge the hole in the frame. Much nicer looking and no bolt clearance problems.
I have done several of those over the years. I do a kickout on the frame rather than modify the box. It is more legal and far easier if you can weld. The really nice thing about the F100 column is the self cancelling turn signals. When you are all done the whole thing is STOCK. Nothing has to be modified on the steering.
I would contact Randy Gross over on fordbarn.com. He is the guy the Model A owners go to for a steering upgrade. (714) 292-8660 / (323) 728-5712. Charlie Stephens
The Jalopy Journal
