1977.5 F-250 alternate steering box

[jtaborsky]

I picked up a '77 3/4 ton. It runs fine, but the steering is so awful that I can't drive it on the street. I get about 1/3 of a turn on the steering wheel that is nothing but play. My thoughts are replace the gearbox, but they are $300+ for a reman. Is there an alternate part I could use or some kind of a conversion I could perform to make a different part work?

Thanks.
- Joe

 

[BLOODBANE]

Is this the power assist set up (the one with the arm on the axle to the tie rod)? If it is, its a pretty touchy system. I had a 73 with that set up. Last I knew you had to send your unit in and they would repair it and send it back (sector/box/ram). You might make sure all the seals are good as well as the sector (arm from the box on the outside of the frame that the hoses go to/from).
I never found a bolt in replacement for this. I had rumors of possible a early dodge box, but that was always a maybe and no one could give me a definite answer. With fabrication, anything is possible though.

 

[Mickey Bitsko]

Power assist was 76' and earlier I believe, probably best bet is the old wrecking yard.

 

[Mickey Bitsko]

I picked up a '77 3/4 ton. It runs fine, but the steering is so awful that I can't drive it on the street. I get about 1/3 of a turn on the steering wheel that is nothing but play. My thoughts are replace the gearbox, but they are $300+ for a reman. Is there an alternate part I could use or some kind of a conversion I could perform to make a different part work?

Thanks.
- Joe

Looked it up , you are correct, LMC wants 299.00 for a box...wow !

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I have a 2wd 1977 f250. I found the rag joint was the major problem with mine. I also tightened up a little slack on the adjustment on the top of the box but am leery because I've over tightened them before....ruining the box.