steering box question

[scotiascrapiron]

what steering box can i switch into a 87 ranger to give me maximum clearance under the hood. planning a 460 swap and want all the room I can get. truck will not be road driven mud bogging only. thanks in advance for any replies.

 

[bigblockford79]

You could try one from a 78-79 FSB or 76-79 f150. they mount outside the frame with the pitman arm pointing towards the front of the truck.

this is what they look like

 

[scotiascrapiron]

news couldn't be better, thats's the year truck i'm getting axles, transfer case and transmission from. do i need to get everything up to where the colum comes out of the firewall or just the box? another ? did ALL 351m400 come with the big block bolt pattern on the trans, no exceptions? reason is the trans is going behind a 460.

 

[bigblockford79]

news couldn't be better, thats's the year truck i'm getting axles, transfer case and transmission from. do i need to get everything up to where the colum comes out of the firewall or just the box? another ? did ALL 351m400 come with the big block bolt pattern on the trans, no exceptions? reason is the trans is going behind a 460.

I don't think you'll be able to use the steering shaft, the ranger uses a double-d type shaft in the column and the older fords used a single-d or splined round shaft. I used the upper u-joint from a cheby astro van and the lower u joint from a dudge dakota (older squarish ones). The chevy joint has the DD female on both ends and will work for the top, then the dakota lower has a dd male with a female slip portion that will work for the box end. The dakota joint also has the correct spline count and shaft size for the ford box, you just need to grind a small groove in the shaft of the gear box for a roll pin to slid into.

 

[scotiascrapiron]

good info man, thanks! how far along are you on yours?

 

[bigblockford79]

Here are some pics of my steering shaft I made with these components, I never got to actually use it since I had to switch to full hydro for clearance issues. The shaft turned out quite well and moved very smooth.


Oh and to answer your question about the transmissions, all 351M/400's used the BBF bell housing bolt pattern so you'll have no issue using the transmission you have with your 460. The engine in my pics is a 460 and I am using the C6 that came behind the 351M that my 79 f250 had in it when I first bought it.

 

[bigblockford79]

This is where I am at with mine. It has been on the back burner for about 8 weeks now due to a recent move and the typical pre-winter rush.

I have more pics of the build in my photo bucket account if you're interested.
http://s627.photobucket.com/albums/tt351/deranged57/Deranged%20V3/

 

[bigblockford79]

FYI, I have my cab moved back roughly 6 inches to clear the 460 without cutting the firewall. Mine is also sitting on whats left of a 79 f250 that the 460 and rest of the powertrain was already in at the start of the build.

 

[jhammel85]

This is where I am at with mine. It has been on the back burner for about 8 weeks now due to a recent move and the typical pre-winter rush.

I have more pics of the build in my photo bucket account if you're interested.
http://s627.photobucket.com/albums/tt351/deranged57/Deranged%20V3/

Not to hijack or butt in but...Nice work man! Looking forward to seeing this one finished.

 

[bobbywalter]

i like that box.

you can convert it to have the pitman behind as well or just buy an eb box.

iirc i used a crown vic input to reverse that type of box a few times.

there are various pitman arms as well.

the chevy 2wd box offers options as well. the jeep steering shaft combined with 90's aerostar and your oem ranger steering pieces will offer plenty of options to make it all work regardless of what you use.

 

[bobbywalter]

while i do have that box currently, i did run the chevy box at one point with the 6.5

 

[bigblockford79]

i like that box.

you can convert it to have the pitman behind as well or just buy an eb box.

.

I am struggling to picture how this would work. If you simply flip the arm around it will steer the opposite at the tires than what the steering wheel does in the cab. The 76-79 steering boxes from 250/350 trucks can be ran with the arm facing backwards. The difference between the two is what side of the sector shaft gear the input shaft comes in on. This is the only way the I can imagine working to switch the pitman from front facing to rear facing.

Please elaborate on your idea.

Thanks

 

[bobbywalter]

I am struggling to picture how this would work. If you simply flip the arm around it will steer the opposite at the tires than what the steering wheel does in the cab. The 76-79 steering boxes from 250/350 trucks can be ran with the arm facing backwards. The difference between the two is what side of the sector shaft gear the input shaft comes in on. This is the only way the I can imagine working to switch the pitman from front facing to rear facing.

Please elaborate on your idea.

Thanks

yes...the base is the same...the inputs/shafts are different. swap the parts to change the direction... the eb box is rear...like the vic box verse the ranger/f box.

 

[t120r]

Easier way is to drill and tap the 460 block for external oil lines. Then run an remote filter and oil cooler. Offset the engine to the passenger side 1" and it works fine. No firewall mods needed.