52 Ford F3 Steering Box Relocation Options

52FordF3

52FordF3

Member
Not looking for criticism but solution here. Just something to try because I also wanted to put a diesel in this old truck. So I am putting a ISB 170 in it. I do not have room for the current steering box location. So looking for anyone that has relocated a box. I have seen the Toyota boxes used but in the same location. I have seen newer boxes location further forward. Still just brainstorming and would love to hear ideas or experiences other have. Even seen the I beam rack solution if anyone has tried that.

Thanks in advance
Jeff
 
I have the same truck but, can't answer your question. This is an awesome forum so hopefully you get your answer.

If not, try the FTE forum. Pretty good mix of stock builds and so called "Dark Side" mods. Good luck with your build!
 
Scotty's 52 F3 said:
I have the same truck but, can't answer your question. This is an awesome forum so hopefully you get your answer.

If not, try the FTE forum. Pretty good mix of stock builds and so called "Dark Side" mods. Good luck with your build!
Click to expand...


Thanks Scotty, I would love to see more pics of your truck. Not many I see these days for sure.
 
52fordf3 ive a 50 f1 with a 3.9 litre Isuzu diesel in it as a daily drive its got a Toyota hilux box non power steers great I had to offset the motor and trans 5speed truck with high and low to the passenger side 2inches maybe you could offset your motor
 
Jeff, my build stalled a bit after life got in the way. I still use it as a work truck and drive it quite a bit but, she aint purdy.........YET!
 
52FordF3 said:
Not looking for criticism but solution here. Just something to try because I also wanted to put a diesel in this old truck. So I am putting a ISB 170 in it. I do not have room for the current steering box location. So looking for anyone that has relocated a box. I have seen the Toyota boxes used but in the same location. I have seen newer boxes location further forward. Still just brainstorming and would love to hear ideas or experiences other have. Even seen the I beam rack solution if anyone has tried that.

Thanks in advance
Jeff
Click to expand...

Have NOT done this ..... however I was "talking" with someone
(I think on the Barn) that had gone to a rack & pinion.
Let me know if that's of interest and I'll try to get that guy's
info for you.
 
Been looking on and off but no luck yet. When I built my front sway bar the guy wanted me to do another for him as I already had an extra bar. The "extra" bar was actually too narrow..... but he said that was ok because he had swapped to rack and pinion.
If I find the dude I'll give you the details.....
 
The "problem" with the rack and pinion setup is that the rack moves with the beam axle, but the steering column (obviously) doesn't. So there is a slip joint in the shaft that has to follow all the motions of the axle. I have heard some claims that some OEM used a similar system without issue. In an F-series, there are offsets in the shaft over to the pinion, both laterally and to match the angles. Hard to believe it is going to be a robust system.

There was a guy on FTE who installed the system, but he never provided any real feedback on it.

A friend local to me who is not on here has a GM PS box mounted in front of his stock axle. There were some issues with bump steer, but he fixed them. I can ask him for some pictures.
 
Ross F-1 said:
The "problem" with the rack and pinion setup is that the rack moves with the beam axle, but the steering column (obviously) doesn't. So there is a slip joint in the shaft that has to follow all the motions of the axle. I have heard some claims that some OEM used a similar system without issue. In an F-series, there are offsets in the shaft over to the pinion, both laterally and to match the angles. Hard to believe it is going to be a robust system.

There was a guy on FTE who installed the system, but he never provided any real feedback on it.

A friend local to me who is not on here has a GM PS box mounted in front of his stock axle. There were some issues with bump steer, but he fixed them. I can ask him for some pictures.
Click to expand...


That would be great if you can find some. I have heard about what you you mentioned but also have read that if the slip joint is installed correctly they will not have any issues. An example that always comes up is a semi cab is floating and always has a slip joint.



1948F-1Pickup said:
Been looking on and off but no luck yet. When I built my front sway bar the guy wanted me to do another for him as I already had an extra bar. The "extra" bar was actually too narrow..... but he said that was ok because he had swapped to rack and pinion.
If I find the dude I'll give you the details.....
Click to expand...


Thanks for checking. I will keep checking in case they pop up.
 
Talked to my friend, he had severe problems with bump steer with that front setup, and changed it out for a Toyota PS box, mounted actually somewhat behind the original box's position (for clearance to the Caddy engine in his truck).
 
Ross F-1 said:
Talked to my friend, he had severe problems with bump steer with that front setup, and changed it out for a Toyota PS box, mounted actually somewhat behind the original box's position (for clearance to the Caddy engine in his truck).
Click to expand...


Interesting. Thanks for getting that info. With the rack on the I-beam there cannot be much bump steer, BUT I have read that there is quite a bit of feedback through the steering wheel into a drivers hands because of the slip joint. Makes it feel like it is jumping around. Great info here. I am hoping to relocate the box at this point, just not any room on the inside of the frame. When I get it back together for test fitting I will post a pic. May be a while.
 
It ought to be worth considering offsetting the engine and box to the passenger side a bit. Just enough to clear the stock box in the stock location. How much would it take? The column could be reworked with a couple of UJs if need be, but we're getting into street rod territory there.

If offset, the engine and box should still be parallel to the center line of the vehicle. Obviously this is not an option in a closed driveline vehicle, but your truck has an open driveline so it is a possibility.

Mart.
 
Mart said:
It ought to be worth considering offsetting the engine and box to the passenger side a bit. Just enough to clear the stock box in the stock location. How much would it take? The column could be reworked with a couple of UJs if need be, but we're getting into street rod territory there.

If offset, the engine and box should still be parallel to the center line of the vehicle. Obviously this is not an option in a closed driveline vehicle, but your truck has an open driveline so it is a possibility.

Mart.
Click to expand...


Once back to that point I am going to re-evaluate, but if I remember right I placed over as far as I could because of the turbo and exhaust on the passenger side. But a few inches may make all the difference.
Thanks everyone for the advice.
 
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