replacing the steering on 77 highboy

hey you highboy owners out what did u use and whats the best way to convert the power assist steering on a 77 f250 over to power steering

78-79 4x4 power stering box with drop arm and cross over steer

thanks there roadrunner81 u wouldn't happen to have any pics of that setup would you

http://www.460ford.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123817

Check out my last post, it has some info about the 78-79 swap. There are some pics in that post too. Call me if you have any q's. 608-617-5545

-Jared

thanks Jared looks simple enough. I'm also putting fenderwell headers on but i'm adding a 3in body lift and moving my radiator to the bed so i shouldn't have to many clearance issues

78-79 4x4 power stering box with drop arm and cross over steer

How much drop on the arm?

Will it clear a factory height f250 hi-boy?

If it is the same on my 75-76 highboy, I used a 76 2wd steering box, with the arm clocked 90 degrees to imitate the original manual box but swing from underneath the frame. To mount the box I used 6"x12" 1/4" butted up to the frame where there is a lip to clear the old box and made it square to the frame. (boxed) then I used pipe welded in to space the difference to the new 1/4" plate and the old frame to bolt the new box to the frame and then hooked it up to the original pitman arm with a original style manual link hope this helps.

can u use the orginal pump with the new steering box

can u use the orginal pump with the new steering box

I did for awhile, but the stock single belt would squeal like a bitch when turning with the tires aired down or while in 4 wheel drive. I switched to a mid 80's pump that had two belts.

-Jared

yeah mine squeals as it is now thanks

The stock highboy setup actually works quite well for wheelin'. It takes all of the stress off of the steering box and frame. I used to have a 76 Highboy and the factory ram started leaking. Rather than pay the $300+ for a factory ram I went to a local industrial Hydraulic shop and told them I needed a 2" double acting cylinder w/ x" stroke (I can't remember what it was, 8", I think). They whipped me one right up for around $100 and away I went. I had to make a simple bracket to mount it to the axle but no big deal. It worked perfect, was cheap and best of all, it was totally rebuildable. It had no problems turning the 38's I had on there at the time and I never had to worry about trashing a steering box or cracking the frame from turing those big meats.:cool:

thats an idea

hey 69stang i guess ur stock hoses and pump worked with that

Pump worked fine. A little more power would have been OK but even w/ that tired old ps pump the only time I had trouble w/ turning was when I was wedged into a crevasse real hard. I'm almost certain I used the stock lines as well. Probably had some adapter to fit it to the ports on the cylinder but I'm sure I didn't buy new lines. It's been a few years, I've forgotten some of the minor details. I just remember it was very easy, worked fine and it saved me a lot of money:D

thanks i believe thats the way i'll go. heck it cant hurt