I tryed the search and nothing was as specific as I
need.

I want to convert the power assist on my Highboy to an integral type. I can get my hands on an integral power steering box and pump for a very good price. I looked it over and it's in very good shape, and rotates the right way. But (there's allways a but) it is EXREMELY tall, if I remember right over 15 inches from the bottom of the housing to the top. That height would mandate moving the power steering pump closer to the engine (a 460).

Here's the Part number; D7TC-3550-BA. Obviously it's from a 77 Ford truck but what is it specifically, has it been used in converting Highboys, is it strong enough for modestly agressive offroading, and is there a reasonably priced alternative that may be easier? (meaning one where I don't have to move the power steering pump.)

Thanks in advance for any and all responses. (except for the ones telling me NOT to change the power assist.)

 

I left my pump on & changed the steeing box to a 3/4 ton chevy ,,,some alteration to the mounting area ,,truck steers like a car ...

 

Since I do not know which steering box you actually have, by the description I might think it is a 2wd box.
Does it mount inside of the frame, or outside? F150's used a 3 bolt box that can be used for this conversion, and I have seen some 2wd boxes used for this. Every one I have seen has busted a sector shaft, and the 2wd box requires that the frame be cut and re-inforced. Pretty poor way to go about this.
Because of the year of your truck, installing the 78/9 4wd (4bolt) power steering box also requires some cutting of the frame. This cutting is done right at the crossmember where it meets the frame, so plug in the welder, cuz you are gonna have to glue some steel together.
Now, you stil can't decide on a box? Let me throw another option into the ring.
I used a Saginaw 4 turn 16:1 steering box in mine when I converted to power steering and upgraded to crossover. This was one of the best and easiest upgrades I have done to this old truck. This box mounts outside of the frame rail, so there was absolutely no interferance with any engine components or radiator. (I run a cross-flow so the tank was a little bit in the way)
Provided that you run the appropriate box (chevy 2wd truck, or Dodge almost anything) you can index the pitman arm to turn from front to rear or from left to right.
Thie means that you can keep you push / pull steering, or upgrade to crossover like you should. The choice is yours at least.
Here are some pics as I was installing mine:

Image of saginaw power steering conversion - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

Image of saginaw box and crossover steering - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

Ahhh, just feel free to cruise around my photobucket. It is open for viewers. Just scroll through the pics, I have a few pics of this stuff with decent descriptions.

 

I used the complete set up from a 1979 F-350, F-250 same, 4X4 an bolted it to my hi boy in less than 8 hrs. built a spacer,cut top off frame, clamped it to the frame,drilled holes and bolted it on. I have a 460 engine. pic,s in my gallery.

 

75 f350 I just perused most of your photo bucket pics...

And I got to say, awesome, and I don't use that term lightly. That maybe the most helpful info and pics I've gotten on this sight. And who's welds are those? They're freakin beautiful!

But let me say for a start your definition of "modest offroading" and my definition are probably a LOT different.

(And your pics answered another current thread of mine, about bumper mounts. except for "What specific year are those brackets?")

By the way, WTF happened to that Jeep with the BBC!!!!

Big thanks!

 

I looked at your gallery, nice work, but from what I gather I won't be finding a decent used one very easily and new ones are $500.Yipes!

I paid $500 for the whole truck.

Needs a lot of work.

 

Lots of questions here.

Welds,,,,,some mine, and some are my daughters (10 yrs old). Much of my red 74 truck was welded by my little girl. Really. Little thing can glue some steel, and I would put her against some real good welders, she can hold her own! Anyway, the other Tig welds in SS are mine. I am a welders son, and grew up welding junk together. Kind of comes natural I guess. I cant walk and chew gum at the same time, but I can put a mean bead down, lol.

Bumper brackets are 73 to 79 F250 4x4 brackets. There was a thread on this exact topic, and it is still not very clear. The debate was whether or not 2wd or F100/50's had brackets, and I really do not know, but every F250 of this era has them. I mount 79 bumpers with the same ones.

That Jeep, lol. There is a thread in the offroad forum that explains all of it. I dont recall the title, but it was not long ago, so it should be easy to find.

Thank you for the kind words.