Newbie Here with power steering question

[FordMan]

Hi all,

I'm new to the forum and have my first post. Most of my experience is with classic Mustangs so this 4x4 stuff is all new to me.

I have a 1970 Bronco with a 302 Automatic, I am looking into installing power steering and have read plenty from this site about all the options and have the basics on the swap.

To my surprise as I was looking around the pick-a-part for a Delphi steering box and noticed a 1970 Ford F-100 stepside 4x4 with power steering. Would this box be a direct bolt on to my Bronco?

Thanks in advance for the help.
Greg

 

[DirtDonk]

Hey FordMan, welcome! Another new guy to harass, er, I mean help!
Can't really help since I have forgotten just what the '70 boxes looked like, but I'm sure someone here will know.
Likely as not though, they're at least similar to the later model ones that have the pitman arm hanging towards the front of the truck. Which, in essence, will make you steer backwards. Not a good thing, as you can imagine!
Didn't happen to take a pic of it by any chance, did you?
Anyway, if it's mounted to the outside of the frame-rail and has the pitman arm facing the rear, then it's possibly a good candidate.

Good luck. And wait to see what the others have to say about it.

Paul

 

[FordMan]

Thanks DirtDonk,

Stupid me I didn't get a picture but I do remember seeing the box while looking under the hood, so I think that means it was mounted inside the frame rail. I also remember seeing the pitman arm going toward the engine, like it is in my Bronco. The guy at the counter wanted $350.00 bucks for it, which I wouldn't pay anyway, but if I could get it at $250.00 it might be worth it because I'm sure it will need a rebuild.

 

[DirtDonk]

Glad you didn't take the bait FM. That's price qualifies as highway robbery in my book. Even in your area!
A used steering box in a junkyard should get $50 max, but often enough they go for $100. Still though, $350? Give me a break.
Start buying your stuff somewhere else maybe? Or, if this is the only, or most convenient spot, start getting price comparisons here first, then go in armed and ready. I'm not always understanding of someone asking about prices here first, instead of just calling going down to the local parts store and asking them, since that's what they're going to pay. Not what someone in Idaho or Michigan paid, when the person asking is in Florida or Washington.
Still, this is as good an example as any why we should do just that.

I bought a used '79 F150 box in good shape with the power steering pump and hoses for $75 from a private party, after being quoted $100 from the local truck wrecker.

Anyway, inside the frame rail is not what you want. They are good boxes, and they can work, as many here have shown, but they have their own little foibles that need to be dealt with. So it's just simpler to stay outside the frame rail, like stock.
And the outside the frame boxes are just a better overall setup for that reason.

Late seventies F150/Bronco boxes (that have to be modified), Toyota IFS boxes, Nissan boxes (not sure what models), brand new boxes from the vendors. All of those are good choices.
For budget minded folks, the Toyota and Nissan boxes may have the most bang-for-the-buck, followed closely by the "4x4x2" ('77-'79 F150) box are probably your best bet.

Hope that wasn't TMI right out of the gate.

Paul