1966 Power Steering Shaft Photo

[66CTBronco]

Hello group!
I've got a 66 (either nov or dec 65 build - i can't recall) with of course the inline 6 and power steering. Something was changed along the line somewhere as the steering shaft is solid all the way from the wheel to the box. Where there may have been a coupling is now a thin wall pipe that is welded. I'm looking for some photos of what the steering shaft should look like because whatever this is i'd like to make it back to OE. Does anyone either have pictures or a link to where I can see what this shaft is supposed to look like? I'm going to guess it's made of unicorn horn powder and the likelihood of me finding one is less than slim to none? THanks in advance!
chris

 

[jba6555]

Power steering was added later as it was not a factory option in 66.

 

[dmoses42]

https://www.wildhorses4x4.com/early-bronco-shafts

Scroll past the parts listed and there is a section showing steering shaft configurations from '66 to '77. This should be helpful and informative....

 

[bmbm]

Hello group!
I've got a 66 (either nov or dec 65 build - i can't recall) with of course the inline 6 and power steering. Something was changed along the line somewhere as the steering shaft is solid all the way from the wheel to the box. Where there may have been a coupling is now a thin wall pipe that is welded. I'm looking for some photos of what the steering shaft should look like because whatever this is i'd like to make it back to OE. Does anyone either have pictures or a link to where I can see what this shaft is supposed to look like? I'm going to guess it's made of unicorn horn powder and the likelihood of me finding one is less than slim to none? THanks in advance!
chris

As far as I know power steering was not an option on the inline 6. PS was added to your 66 and that is what I did on my 66 250 inline 6 using a 4 turn Bronco PS box. I recall we had to do some butchering on the stock solid shaft. Will change to a collapsible shaft during next upgrade phase. The WH shafts look good.

 

[Broncobowsher]

As others stated, power steering didn't exist as an option in '66. Wasn't an option until '73.
So your '66 has been modified. The thing about modifications, there are no standards. There are dozens of ways power steering could have been installed. We have no idea what you are actually working with. Thus no idea what to tell you what the fix can be. There can be assumptions that it was done with stock (73 to 77) Bronco parts, but that is only an assumption. Over the years I have seen steering boxes sourced from GM, Scouts, IH trucks, Lincolns, Toyota, Nissan, and some I never found out what they were from. There was even one that bolted up to the input of the original manual steering box. And it wouldn't surprise me if someone did an external ram like early mustangs of mid-70s 4WD F150. That is a complete unknown.

And the power steering option was only available on Broncos with the V8. But power steering did exist in cars with the straight 6. The same straight 6 as the Bronco, so getting brackets, pulleys, pump and so forth to match the engine isn't that big of a deal.

Don't be surprised if the wildhorses link above doesn't match what you have. Or maybe you got lucky and it does.

 

[bmbm]

It is good you have PS installed on your Bronco, it has been one of my favorite upgrades on my 250 six. You may have the old style Thompson PS pump like I have which I am considering changing to the Saginaw pump. I don't know how long PS pumps last but mine is pretty old since I acquired it used about 15 years ago. Would be interesting to see a picture of your setup.
Also, if you are not aware, go to fordsix.com. Good forum with lots of info on inline six maintenance and modifications. Very knowledgeable and helpful members just like here.

I don't know if this part is still available just for illustration purposes only for what I will go to:
https://www.performanceonline.com/p...Cm1BFlpxyCsuucYH5j0vrKEs1Bq7ssexoCUEgQAvD_BwE

Also be aware that that your 170/200 PS pump bracket does not interchange with the 250 as the alternator and PS pump bracket is different so some parts advertised as fitting 170/200/250 should be investigated. Was a surprise to me since the 170 looks basically the same as the 250.

 

[66CTBronco]

Hey guys thanks for all the replies. I know 66 didn't come with PS, my father inlaw added it when he started plowing. I've seen another conversion with the same funky hose setup, who knows where it came from i guess - hey if anybody recognizes the parts, please let me know! Anyway, i recalled seeing the shaft welded with what appeared to be a section of pipe and was concerned with alignment with the steering box - not seeing a rag joint or anything, but today upon further inspection i see a u-joint at the steering box so that eliminates my concern for alignment and seal failures. it turns really easy, give it a whip and the steering wheel will turn 1-2 turns all by itself - VERY power steering lol. I guess i'll just leave it as is then! I like this thing as original as possible - at least as far as it was when my FIL had it. Thanks very much!
c

yeah i know that zerk is dirty... i.e. it hasn't been touched well until today i didn't even know it was there. they just salted the road last week for the snow we got so i wont' be driving it till the spring time so i'll grease it today!

 

[WILDHORSES]

https://www.wildhorses4x4.com/custom-early-bronco-lower-steering-shaft
Click link. Selection 1 pick "66-65 Manual column"
Selection 2 "Stock power steering"
Take a look at the PDF so you know what you are getting into and a lot of further explanation.
https://www.wildhorses4x4.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/instructions/WH/2161 07-24-18.pdf

Good luck with the project.

Jim

 

[thegreatjustino]

Hey guys thanks for all the replies. I know 66 didn't come with PS, my father inlaw added it when he started plowing. I've seen another conversion with the same funky hose setup, who knows where it came from i guess - hey if anybody recognizes the parts, please let me know! Anyway, i recalled seeing the shaft welded with what appeared to be a section of pipe and was concerned with alignment with the steering box - not seeing a rag joint or anything, but today upon further inspection i see a u-joint at the steering box so that eliminates my concern for alignment and seal failures. it turns really easy, give it a whip and the steering wheel will turn 1-2 turns all by itself - VERY power steering lol. I guess i'll just leave it as is then! I like this thing as original as possible - at least as far as it was when my FIL had it. Thanks very much!
c

yeah i know that zerk is dirty... i.e. it hasn't been touched well until today i didn't even know it was there. they just salted the road last week for the snow we got so i wont' be driving it till the spring time so i'll grease it today!

Stock EB power steering box with a stock Ford Thompson pump. I'm no expert on the brackets, but I would guess 6-cyl Mustang or Falcon.