Advice on steering options 69 4x4

[Crom1]

Good afternoon.
I am hoping to get some advice for options on my 69 f100.
Currently the steering is stock and of course it seems like everything needs to be replaced.
My question: if I'm replacing and rebuilding the front end and steering, is it more cost effective to stick with manual steering or should I look into power steering?

Depending on your thoughts, where should I be looking for parts? Can I just buy a power steering kit?

Thanks

[Canonman67]

It really depends on what the parts to convert to power steering cost you. Once you know the costs you have to decide if it's worth it to you, power vs. manual steering is a personal preference. I bought a parts truck that had almost everything I wanted and that made it very affordable especially after selling on what I wasn't going to use. http://www.fordification.com/tech/powersteering.htm I'm sure you've seen this before but it makes or good reading when doing the conversion. Be sure to post some pictures of your project, everyone here loves pictures.

[Crom1]

I had not seen that. Thanks!

Any suggestions for finding a rebuilt manual steering box?

[Crom1]

I had not seen the link. Thanks!

Any ideas where a rebuilt manual steering box can be had?

[Canonman67]

This is more relevant to what you're doing, I missed the whole 4x4 thing in the subject line . http://www.fordification.com/tech/powersteering4wd.htm Rock Auto carries reman gear, I see Redhead mentioned a lot though I know nothing about them. Along the lines of conversion here's something you might be interested in though it's from FTE. http://www.ford-trucks.com/articles/196 ... onversion/

[HIO Silver]

Swap to 78/79 F150/Bronco integral power steering and links.

If staying with drums, your D44 steering arms will need to be reamed at 7.15° because the later tie rod shanks are thicker. Disc-equipped D44 steering arms have more "meat" too.

A swap kit is available from Benchwork Steering... a pretty penny at $1400!. I did the basic swap or $350 using donor parts.... But I went with a Redhead steering gear to hedge my bets so my total was $600.

To note, 1976 is the only year half-ton 4x4 equipped with an FE and Ford pump with the later model steering setup so keep that in mind for the hoses it will need.

Here is the link to Benchwork's system: http://benchworksteering.com/products/1 ... onversion/

[brianr513]

I have been restoring a 1969 Ford F100 Factory 4 Wheel Drive converted to P/S. The Power Steering box is from a 1978 Bronco with 1980-95 Two Wheel Drive Internals. NOTE: The Pitman arm on a 1976-1979 Dentside Truck or Bronco faces forward. The factory Manual Steering Box on a 1967-72 Four Wheel Drive's pitman arm faces rearward. PUT AN UNMODIFIED 1976-78 STEERING BOX ON A 1967-72 TRUCK = CLOWN CAR STEERING (ie: Turn the steering wheel right truck turns left). I used an aftermarket tilt steering column, Chev.Vega Steering Aftermarket Shaft Kit (EBAY), 1978 Bronco Steering Box converted (4x4x2), 1969 two wheel drive steering pump (Oreilly's-Master Pro #713-2108), factory power steering pump bracket, 1978 Bronco Power Steering Return Line (Autozone-Duralast #80513), 1976 Ford F150 Power Steering Pressure Line (Oreilly's - Gates #354410). I used the factory steering cooler. The belt is the factory 45" P/S Belt size. I will post pictures ASAP.