Help identify steering box

[1969sport]

Hey there,

Anyone know which steering box this is(see pics)?). I have the mounting brackets and necessary pulleys but don’t know is which box it is and which hoses I need. Also, do I need any steering shaft adapters.

Thanks. Any info is appreciated.

 

[DirtDonk]

I can't make out the written numbers, but it appears to be a '73-'79 4x4 F150 and '78/'79 Bronco box. If it's been converted already, then it's also known as the "4x4x2" box.
Very desirable.

You can tell if it's stock '70's full size, or if it's been converted for use on an Early Bronco by turning the input shaft and noting which direction the output shaft (sector shaft) spins.
The original setup had the pitman arm facing the front of the vehicle, while the Bronco setup has it facing the front. Obviously if it's not modified internally then it will steer a Bronco in the opposite direction than desired! Not fun, as you can imagine.

So test it before you fit it, but it's a nice box. Very strong and should be in the 4 to 4.5 turns lock-to-lock range. Very nice for a Bronco.
But it's also very large as you can see. Which comes with some of it's own problems with mounting.
But if you're going to use your Bronco hard and/or have large tires, it can be the ticket.

For the input shaft, yes, pretty much any swapped-in steering box will need a shaft modification. The new box will have the same size and spline count on the input shaft as an Early Bronco manual steering gearbox, but if you had a power steering box already then your shaft's lower joint is the wrong size (13/16" x 36 spline) to be a direct bolt on.
Which is not a deal-breaker, since the new box is so big you'd have to modify your stock lower shaft no matter what you do.
We sell them here: https://www.wildhorses4x4.com/category/Bronco_Steering_Shafts or you can sometimes find donor shafts in the junkyard if you have one nearby. Not sure which ones work, but you'd have to dig around and see.

Paul

 

[DirtDonk]

Regarding hoses, you can go down different rabbit holes for those too.
1. You could have some custom made locally with factory fittings to match the Saginaw "canned ham" style pump and the full-size box.
2. You can purchase them pre-made.
3. You use AN style adapters at the pump and box, and create your own using AN fittings and hoses. This is the one I prefer actually, though any of them can work well.
Something along the lines of the #2081 and #2053 shown here: https://www.wildhorses4x4.com/category/broncohydraulicsteeringparts
More of the fittings are shown on another page. If you go that route let us know and we can give part numbers of the adapters for each location. I won't have manufacturer part numbers though. Only ours. If you get yours elsewhere you'd use their numbers.

Paul

 

[toddz69]

It's definitely a 4x4x2 box and it's been converted because the pressure/return fittings holes are facing down towards the frame.

Todd Z.

 

[1969sport]

That’s a lot of info that I would have never figured out on my own.
Sounds like I’ll be ordering some parts as I have a stock, manual steering box right.
Thanks for all the valuable information.

 

[DirtDonk]

While the stock manual box does still use the common 3/4" by 36 spline shaft, your stock '69 shaft is one long piece from steering wheel to gear box. With a "tulip joint" type coupler at the box.
Due to the one long shaft, you'll have to modify it no matter what. Most likely a suitable donor will be hard to find for that, so a new collapsible shaft like I liknked to is your best bet.
But you can keep upper half of the old shaft as your interface. We have a video on how to do the modification (it's pretty simple) that should be linked to on that page I posted.
Check it out when you can just to see what's involved.

Paul

 

[Viperwolf1]

It's definitely a 4x4x2 box and it's been converted because the pressure/return fittings holes are facing down towards the frame.

Todd Z.

Todd, unfortunately that's not a good indicator of whether the box has been converted. The valve housing can only be clocked one way due to bolt pattern and the front piston pressure passage. All the valve housings were made the same so they all are clocked the same as the 4x4 box was. Other style boxes have the bolt pattern and pressure passage rotated so that the ports are at the top. It just cant be done on this box until someone makes a different valve housing.

 

[toddz69]

Todd, unfortunately that's not a good indicator of whether the box has been converted. The valve housing can only be clocked one way due to bolt pattern and the front piston pressure passage. All the valve housings were made the same so they all are clocked the same as the 4x4 box was. Other style boxes have the bolt pattern and pressure passage rotated so that the ports are at the top. It just cant be done on this box until someone makes a different valve housing.

Lesson learned! Thanks Viper - I thought the lines came out the top on the stock configuration but apparently not. It's been at least 7-8 years since I last pulled these boxes in the yards and my memory has faded.

Todd Z.