I put a 83 6.9l diesel into a 76 4x4 f250 and got everything working good except the power steering. Will the pump from the 83 work on the 76 stock steering setup? The hoses go out of the power steering pump into the ?box thing- what lines go to which holes on this thing? Is it another power assist cylinder, or what does it do? Could I upgrade to a all in one power box for under $500 without searching a bunch of junkyards?

 

I assume you have the ram power assist steering on that year truck?


When I did a 6.9L IDI swap into my 79 the stock 79 high pressure line bolted right up to the power steering pump on the 6.9L engine. The return line is just a piece of hose. While they might not have lined up perfectly I moved them around to make them work.


Even when I went to the Cummins I used the stock power steering lines on my 79.


I know my power steering box is not the same as yours but there is a good chance it will work? I never really paid attention on one of these trucks with the ram assist how the power steering system and plumbing is hooked up.

 

Yes, I do have the ram power assist.


Did you use the 6.9 power steering pump for your steering when you did the swap?

 

Yes I used the one that came on the 6.9L.

 

So do you think it would be cheaper to fix the ram steering, or to convert to a steering box? I would rather not have to pull the front clip off again...

 

depends on your fab skills.

 

Huh funny you should say that I was just at a fabrication competition and won over $1200 worth of equipment!


I would rather not have to do any more fabricating on the truck, or at least on the frame, but I assume that to convert to a all in one box there has to be a little modification done??? So if I decided to stay with the stock setup, what would it cost to replace the major components? What would the major components be?

 

ya then it will be a cake walk for you. find a 4 bolt 4x4 box off a 77-79 4x4 3/4 ton or 79 one ton. or you can use a gm box.

 

So I can take the gearbox off a 79 f150, and use the 83 pump? My 76 has a two in. lift- will the stock pitman arm off the 79 work on my 76? How about the steering column- any modifications needed there?

 

if it was my truck i would not use the box off a 150. parted a few out where the frame cracked. not steer column modifcations. may need a longer shaft from the box to the column.

 

Ok so I looked online and can get a steering box for a 79 f250 for a few hundred dollars. My truck has a two in. lift, so I will need a two inch drop pitman arm also right?

 

my guess would be no. if your looking for a good steering box go here Red-Head Steering Gears - Custom Rebuilt Steering Gear Boxes in USA you wont reget it.

 

Just recently decided to swap out the power steering assist on mine using a f250 2wd box. Got it all thrown on there yesterday while I had the clip off. So far between the bo$50 off craigslist) pitman(78/79 4x4), adjustable drag link, steering shaft u joint, plate to box in frame and bolts I have a $158 in the entire conversion and I will still be able to make the stock ps lines work

 

Great thanks for the pictures. I will get the box probably from Redhead, but where did you get the pitman arm and drag link? Do you know if the stock steering shaft will fit on a newer steering box?

 

The pitman I got on here from another member along with a bunch of other parts.

The drag link I pieced together from newer ford expedition 4wd and 2wd tie rod ends and adjusting sleeve. It is at about 17.5" on my truck. Could go an inch or so either way and still have plenty of thread engagement. I can get together the part numbers if you want just shoot me a pm.

For the steering shaft I used the stock steering shaft and an additional u-joint 3/4-36x3/4 smooth mounted to the box directly and will be welded to

the intermediate steering shaft