angle of steering shaft

[zakt]

Any one have the angle on there 4x4 of the steering shaft to the gear box angle? When I set mine up I will be curious on where it will end up or even if the 95' or 85' 4x4 F350 steering box will work?

Thanx,
Todd

[averagef250]

The 80 up boxes are totally different and would be very hard to adapt to an older frame. In addition the 80-up boxes are terrible and notorious for the sector shaft sheering off under moderate use. I don't know what you're doing, but whatever steering box you're adapting to your truck you should place the sector in the same location and angle as the factory box for everything to work correctly. The steering shaft is a simple cut and weld job to make it fit wouldn't worry too much about the angles it operates at.

Owned a highboy that I scabbed a 2wd box on when I was a kid and ended up with a horrible U-joint angle at the box, but it never had a problem in all the beatings it took.

[heep70]

My Fords steering shaft (intermediate steering shaft) sets pretty much level with the frame. I built a shaft using u-joints on both ends. Here is a couple pics.

[FORDification]

Here's a shot of my '69 F100's setup:

[heep70]

Yea, thats the same angle as mine.

[zakt]

I have the 85' and 95' boxes but have another idea as well...Im thinking also maybe using the 78' 4-bolt box, I believe they mount on the outside of the frame? I have the 78' front clip so should be able to get the positioning correct? I will be using a new flaming river column though so angle might change out of the cab? You get like what 30 degrees you can move it to be good? I also assume I can use the power steering pump off my 95' just hook it up to the 78 box? Thoughts?

Todd

[460 crew]

The 77.5-79 F250 4x4 box mounts on the inside of the frame.

[zakt]

460crew,

Do you have any other closeup pics of the inside bolt one? Is that like on the front 78' clip I now have? Is that the 4-bolt one?

Todd

[heep70]

The one that is on 460 crews pic is that set up the same as in the tech article?

http://www.fordification.com/powersteering4wd.htm

[460 crew]

The one in the article is a 2wd box like I have converted on my highboy that has the 3 mounting holes. The 4x4 box I pictured has the 4 holes and is just a hair shorter from top to bottom of the box. They have the same internals and are rated at about the same strenth, only concern is the little bit longer shaft on the 2wd. I cunsulted some PS shops in town and they said that both will take the same abuse and equals. The 2wd box gives you a little more room to play with up and down when mounting whereas the 4 bolt box is snug.