• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

Power Steering Question


insaneranger

Active Member
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
May 3, 2009
Messages
107
Reaction score
42
Points
28
Location
Tennessee
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
302
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Tire Size
225/40 R18
I'm planning to put power steering back on my '88 ranger & wonder what pump people are using for their V8 swaps. I have a pump out of a '89 fox body mustang. I've been told it will work fine, but have also been told that it produces too much pressure for the ranger power steering box. I believe a ranger pump bolts up to the mustang bracket, but I already have the mustang pump. I can't find the info online so any help is appreciated.
 


svtcards

Active Member
Supporting Member
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Sep 4, 2017
Messages
826
Reaction score
137
Points
43
Age
46
Location
Lyman maine
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
302
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Drop
3'' front 4''back
Tire Size
245 35 18
I was told that someone used a Ford Thunderbird pump on a stock ranger box with no issues at all.i plan on using an sn95 factory pump on my 87 power steering box.i llb surprised box can't handle it
 

19Walt93

Well-Known Member
Ford Technician
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Nov 13, 2018
Messages
4,475
Reaction score
4,412
Points
113
Location
Canaan,NH
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
351
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Drop
3"
Tire Size
235/55R16
My credo
If you don't have time to do it right will you have time to do it over?
I think you have it backwards, it seems to me that a rack and pinion system uses less pressure that your recirculating ball box would want. If you already own the pump I'd still try it, what the heck.
 

svtcards

Active Member
Supporting Member
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Sep 4, 2017
Messages
826
Reaction score
137
Points
43
Age
46
Location
Lyman maine
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
302
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Drop
3'' front 4''back
Tire Size
245 35 18
Not sure if a thunderbird had a rack and pinion in the 80s?
 

svtcards

Active Member
Supporting Member
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Sep 4, 2017
Messages
826
Reaction score
137
Points
43
Age
46
Location
Lyman maine
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
302
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Drop
3'' front 4''back
Tire Size
245 35 18
I know my sn95 does.i hear what your saying either way
 

snoranger

Professional money waster
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
RBV's on Boost
ASE Certified Tech
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Nov 25, 2007
Messages
13,055
Reaction score
13,529
Points
113
Location
Jackson, NJ
Vehicle Year
'79,'94,'02,'23
Make / Model
All Fords
Engine Type
2.3 EcoBoost
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
I didn't ask for your life story, just answer the question!
Not sure if a thunderbird had a rack and pinion in the 80s?
Yes it did... it was a fox chassis thru 88. 89+ was mn12. Both had rack and pinion steering.
 

Ramcharger90

Well-Known Member
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Feb 11, 2019
Messages
2,953
Reaction score
1,708
Points
113
Location
N/A na
Vehicle Year
1990
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
306, Bcam,
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Use the volve electric power steering pump
 

insaneranger

Active Member
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
May 3, 2009
Messages
107
Reaction score
42
Points
28
Location
Tennessee
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
302
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Tire Size
225/40 R18
Use the volve electric power steering pump
I've been trying to learn about Volvo EPS pumps for several months, but haven't found any articles or videos where anyone has made one work 100% successfully. Most guys that are using one say they have occasional steering issues & many say they've had the steering suddenly try to pull in the wrong direction. The Volvo units are also rated up to 1,000 PSI more than Ford steering boxes. Most guys are adding them to newer vehicles with rack & pinions where they can tie into CANBUS systems & they still have to find a way to program them. I've checked with at least 20 shops within 100 mile radius & nobody has any experience with EPS conversions. Any links showing installs, especially installs by a forum member would be appreciated. Thanks.

If I use the Ford pump & don't like it (or if it whines like a mule) I may try to adapt a Saginaw pump.
 
Last edited:

adsm08

Senior Master Grease Monkey
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
Ford Technician
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Sep 20, 2009
Messages
34,623
Reaction score
3,613
Points
113
Location
Dillsburg PA
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
31X10.50X15
I' I have a pump out of a '89 fox body mustang. I've ... been told that it produces too much pressure for the ranger power steering box.
So you have talked to at least one idiot during your research.

Ford pretty much had one steering pump and one steering box in that era,

I've been trying to learn about Volvo EPS pumps for several months, but haven't found any articles or videos where anyone has made one work 100% successfully. Most guys that are using one say they have occasional steering issues & many say they've had the steering suddenly try to pull in the wrong direction. The Volvo units are also rated up to 1,000 PSI more than Ford steering boxes. Most guys are adding them to newer vehicles with rack & pinions where they can tie into CANBUS systems & they still have to find a way to program them. I've checked with at least 20 shops within 100 mile radius & nobody has any experience with EPS conversions. Any links showing installs, especially installs by a forum member would be appreciated. Thanks.

If I use the Ford pump & don't like it (or if it whines like a mule) I may try to adapt a Saginaw pump.
@PetroleumJunkie412 , PJ, care to deal with this one?
 

Andrew.V

Member
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Sep 5, 2017
Messages
72
Reaction score
21
Points
8
Location
Manitoba Canada
Vehicle Year
2008 fx4 1988
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
4.0 5.0
Transmission
Automatic
Dont know if this will help much but it should give a good idea on how the Volvo pump works. info / install starts at 5 minute mark
. he did take it out and put a electric column in the car he did a video on that also just have to search his youtube page.
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Staff online

Today's birthdays

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Truck of The Month


Kirby N.
March Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Events

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top