Hey, sorry to invade ya'lls territory...at least I dont own a chevy huh?

Anyway, I am steering box hunting currently. I was noticing that many for steering boxes are mounted on the inside of the frame which might be exactly what I need when it is all said and done.

So, I just wanted to make sure that if I got a steering box off a F-150 or Bronco that it would be able to handle the stresses put on it by 38x14.50s?

I have never heard anything particularily BAD about Ford steering so I assume that it isnt that bad.

Thanks!!!

The ones of which you speak on the inside of the frames of Broncos and F150s are probably '80-96. '78-9 had a Sag box but it was outside the frame - makes it virtually impossible to run front leafs if you want to as the steering arm will hit the leaf (not sure what leaf-sprung F250s used?). These earlier Sag boxes can actually be problematic because the sector shaft is so long and/or just kinda weak. Broken sector shafts are not uncommon on these when running large tires. Now as for the '80-96 boxes they're really not too bad. There's nothing special about them, but they do hold up fairly well to large tires. The sector shaft will begin to leak on higher mileage ones, which you can try to fix w/a $20 seal kit. The biggest thing that sucks about Ford p/s is Ford pumps! Run a Sag pump or nothing at all!

My sector shaft recently broke on the trail at Hollister.

What this caused: $260+ for new steering box, fluid, BS at auto zone in Hollister (cheapest in South Bay though)

A trip from my parents to pick me & my lady up in Hollister from San Jose (53 mi.)

A trip to the junkyard to find nothing (only box that'll work is off 78-79 F150 4x4 -- not many in yard)

Numerous phone calls to even find a box for this price (most wanted $300)

A trip (via parents again) back to Hollister Hills to fix truck in dirt in parking lot (rangers laughing at me)

Truck performs NO DIFFERENTLY (as far as steering and wheeling) than it did before this mishap.

Conclusion: Next rig I build or help with from ground zero WILL NOT have this box. I'm lucky I didn't die on the road into Hollister because the carnage showed it was broken almost fully before the trail incident. My .02cents worth of bitching

Originally posted by D60
(not sure what leaf-sprung F250s used?).

It's really big, really heavy, & really expensive... very strong box though.
I honestly couldn't see adapting it to anything mostly due to size & cost.

Hey y'all! Thanks for the replies!

I dont think Im gonna use a Ford box then. I figured that I would have to wade through the bullshit factor to get a straight answer. I figured there would be several replies like...

Jap trucks suck! Ford RULES!!:D :D

Guess not thoguh:)

Anyway, thanks for the straight answers.

Originally posted by TyTy
Hey y'all! Thanks for the replies!

I dont think Im gonna use a Ford box then. I figured that I would have to wade through the bullshit factor to get a straight answer. I figured there would be several replies like...

Jap trucks suck! Ford RULES!!:D :D


Bullshit! 'Wheel what you got! I like 'em all so long as they're well built and show some creativity, with mods that are clearly designed to help trail performance.
As for the boxes, like I said the '80-96 units inside the framerails (which, BTW, should come on any Bronco, F150, F250, F350 during these years) really ain't bad. I think it could be a strong choice for a Toy, depending upon the necessary mods to make it fit and make it work.

The 78-79 F-150 and Bronco boxes are the ones with the weak sector shaft. Not the it is weak it is just very long and prone to breakage. The 80 and up F-150 and Bronco boxes dont have the long, weak sector shaft and they are a pretty stout box

cool,

I think Ive decided to go with a scout saginaw box with forward facign itman. I was doing soem measuring and I dont think my idea of the ford box inside the frame is gonna work. I think the Scout saginaw will work better for me.

Thanks for clearing that up though..

You ford guys aint bad:D

mmmm the f-100 box, i have lost one sector shaft, but i built a sick brace for it and got another, the only thing nice about this box is Pick and pull has them eveywhere for around 30 bucks

I had a Stock PS box, and snapped the sector, i tossed it and once i found out the 600-700 price tag

Sector shafts are the same size (O.D.) in the Ford and the Saginaw boxes. As far as twisting type brakeage goes the longer ones will take more abuse. The same principle applies to your axles. That is why under normal circumstances the short side axle will brake first. It will take more twisting force to break the longer shaft.

Be careful with wrecking yard boxes. Remember why most of them ended up there. If the vehicle was in a front end collision it is very possible for the sector to be cracked. If the wheels were jarred full lock that puts tremendous force on the sector shaft. At least remove the pitman arm, clean the splined area so you can check for hair line cracks.

All of these boxes are good. We could find a broken sector story for every one of them. The main thing is the install. The box needs to be mounted solidly to the frame. When you are finished installing the box have someone rock the steering wheel back and forth to put pressure on the box. If it moves on the frame it's lame. If it moves on the frame it's lame. I said it twice for impact. Good Luck with the project.

[B]

i disagree, the longer ones take less abouse before they brake, because now you have more levrage against them, you can snap something that is 1 foot long by hand, but something 1 inch long is a lot harder, axles have a different twisting force aginst them then a steering box

If the shaft broke inside the box then length would be the culprit. If it broke below the box then its not a length issue. I beleive its more of an enginerding problem if they break.