F100 steering box too close to radiator

[bronco italiano]

Can the F100 steering box be slightly "relieved" to fit the radiator. I have to lower the radiator mounts because the 1" body lift has the fan shroud not centered on the explorer fan safely. The silver marks indicate the area I would like to relieve or slightly move radiator toward passenger side.

 

[Brush Hog]

PO “relieved” the bottom corner of my radiator with a hammer to get the one on my 1973 to fit. That lead to a leak radiator replacement and all new steering box,ps pump and steering shaft. Those boxes are old big and heavy. Best bet is to swap it out for a box that mounts in factory location then every thing will line up and makes upgrades and other work easier. And you will like the 3.5 turn box.

 

[DirtDonk]

Instead of lowering the radiator, why don’t you raise the shroud? That’s what all of us do, even with regular Steering boxes.
It’s fairly simple with a couple of 1 inch (or so) strips of some material. I use aluminum with the aluminum shroud. Would work just fine with a standard shroud as well.

 

[bronco italiano]

Instead of lowering the radiator, why don’t you raise the shroud? That’s what all of us do, even with regular Steering boxes.
It’s fairly simple with a couple of 1 inch (or so) strips of some material. I use aluminum with the aluminum shroud. Would work just fine with a standard shroud as well.

I need to lower the shroud by 1", due to the 1" body lift.

 

[bronco italiano]

PO “relieved” the bottom corner of my radiator with a hammer to get the one on my 1973 to fit. That lead to a leak radiator replacement and all new steering box,ps pump and steering shaft. Those boxes are old big and heavy. Best bet is to swap it out for a box that mounts in factory location then every thing will line up and makes upgrades and other work easier. And you will like the 3.5 turn box.

If it was my bronco, that is what I would do.
The box has just been rebuilt and my buddy isn't gonna spend the money for the correct box.

 

[DirtDonk]

Sorry, I meant lower.
Same reason most of us are modifying the shroud location. 1 inch body lift takes the radiator up, 1 inch strips of aluminum lower the shroud back down.

 

[toddz69]

We all "massaged" our radiators for those boxes back in the day.

Todd Z.