Power Steering Box

[1968U15]

I have a PS box that I do not recognize. I have been told it may be an F150 box mounted in the wrong location. I have VERY minimal steering. I cannot even make out of my driveway without driving through my across-the-street neighbor's front yard. Can someone help? It appears to have the old MS shaft, and a pump that is from who knows what. How do I figure out what box I have? Any help would be appreciated. Also, if anyone has had this same lack of steering problem, any insight would be great.

 

[SteveL]

pics would help. We don't know what you have till we see it.

 

[thegreatjustino]

Yes pics would help, but my first question to narrow down the list would be is the box mounted on the inside or outside of the frame?

 

[1968U15]

Definitely on the outside. I am trying to figure out how to attach a pic.

 

[sprdv1]

You'll have to send one of us the pics to post on here for ya. Best bet... Pay $12 & post away..

http://classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34373

 

[jsniper06]

You are going to have to become a contributor. Go to Bronco Chat room and follow the links.

 

[1968U15]

Here is a picture if anyone can help me.

 

[Broncobowsher]

That is spooky. Only 2 bolts holding it on and one is through a piece of angle welded to the bottom of the frame. It almost looks like there is a tack weld holding it to the track arm bracket as well.

What catches my eye is the pitman arm. It should be facing a lot more forward (hard to tell but it looks like your tire is facing straight?).

The 3 bolt holes at the front of the frame are for the original steering box. The 4th hole (closest to the steering box) isn't stock. It almost looks like they tried mounting the box there and found the steering was backwards. Instead of swapping the innards (check the BC braoncos website tech section for details) they moved the box back into a bad location. Then instead of adjusting the length of the draglink (pitman arm to tie rod) they just turned the steering.

My guess, and it is hard to say without being there and playing a little, is that the pitman arm goes parallel to the drag link in one direction and the steering box runs into the internial stop in the other.

As you have already sumizes, it is jacked. Hopefully someone else can confirm that steering box. Then take it off, forget about how it was ever installed, and put it on right.

 

[FX4 MAN]

It looks like a late 70`s 4 wheel drive box off of a half ton or 78-79 bronco.

 

[1968U15]

Thank you. I guess that is kinda spooky with just one bolt throught the frame. I do know that the box will not fit in the original holes without hitting the radiator and front core support. I guess I need to start from scratch. The tires were straight in the picture and the pitman arm should be facing the other way. What seems to be the popular PS conversion? A new complete kit, or finding a good solid EB power box?

 

[Okiebronc]

Yep...that is a 70's f150 4x4 (78-79 bronco) box.

 

[76Broncofromhell]

That is a 78-79 4x4 box that someone definitely booty fabbed on the frame. I doubt they even sleeved the holes. Your pitman arm should be straight when the wheels are straight.

If it were mine, I would take the box off, plate the frame where it was and start over. Personally I would look for boxes in this order:

Stock EB power steering, Toyota IFS box, Nissan 4x4 box, Scout II box, 4x4x2 Ford steering box. All are of similar strength, however I listed them in order of ease to install.

 

[DirtDonk]

Similar boxes also came on Lincolns and other big cars too. The late sixties Lincoln boxes were popular conversions back in the seventies.
Looks like they moved it back to at least try to put the draglink in a near-stock location. But you're saying that it won't even fit with the radiator tank? They usually run into the core support, but that's relatively easy to accommodate. If it hits the radiator though, maybe that's been changed or moved too? If so, you might have the same trouble with any of the boxes.

The '78/'79 4wd box is a popular coinversion. Maybe you'll get lucky and find that the same components for thw swap (80's 2wd parts I think) will fit onto the box you have already and then you can mount it back up farther forward and reinforce the mounts. Clearance the support if necessary, figure out the radiator clearance issues, and away you go! See? Piece of cake...
At least from where I'm sitting.

Good luck.

Paul

 

[Flash69]

The pittman arm should also be pointing towards the back of the truck instead of the front of the truck also. Try to find a regular EB box and mount it the way it is supposed to go and you should be alright. I would definately get rid of that and not drive it until i did.