Stock Ford hydro assist steering? - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

DUG · 08-23-2001, 04:11 PM

While I was at the pick-a-part to day scoring my t-case I scoped out about a '79 Ford F250 Custom. Lo' and behold it had what seemed to be a STOCK hydro assit seering setup. It had the steering box that has the pitman arm to the side running a 90* arm on the back of the knuckle and then the drag link that goes straight across the front. In place of the streering stab it had a hydro ram that atached to the front axle with a very slick and very factory looking braket. It had hoses routed to a valve that appeared to be part of the steering box. I couldn't look at it good, it was getting late and I wanted to get the t-case and be on my way. It is fresh in the yard so I'm going to go back and scope it out better next week.

Anyone ever hear of a setup like this? It looks like it is 100% factory but I have never heard of one. Seems the PS pump runs the ram. The truck had a plow but it does not loook like a factory job...very hillbilly.

TIA

TheLakeRat · 08-23-2001, 05:11 PM

Yes it is factory. Ford did this for only a few years. Iv'e heard that they also did it on some of the cars to but havn't seen any. I don't know why they stopped making them but a guess would be that they always had leaking problems.

Jeepdude_Jay · 08-23-2001, 08:16 PM

I think it would have to be a 77 or earlier. Starting in 77 1/2 they went to real P/S. Most people think the assist is a POS, mostly because they leak like crazy and parts are impossible to find. My 77 hi-boy has the assist and it's had it's share of problems. The biggest improvement I made was to repair the cylinder. The rod was so worn that the chrome was gone. So I cut it appart and made a new rod and haven't had a problem since. The last time I checked (about 2 years ago) the seal kit for the cylinder was discontinued at the dealer and no one else had anything like it. The "drag link" is called a control valve and "IF" it were avalible from the dealer would run around $1200.
You would probably be better off with one of the newer add-on assist systems that are showing up. Just my opinion.
Jay

08-23-2001, 04:11 PM	#1 (permalink)
DUG Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Member # 858 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,106	Stock Ford hydro assist steering? While I was at the pick-a-part to day scoring my t-case I scoped out about a '79 Ford F250 Custom. Lo' and behold it had what seemed to be a STOCK hydro assit seering setup. It had the steering box that has the pitman arm to the side running a 90* arm on the back of the knuckle and then the drag link that goes straight across the front. In place of the streering stab it had a hydro ram that atached to the front axle with a very slick and very factory looking braket. It had hoses routed to a valve that appeared to be part of the steering box. I couldn't look at it good, it was getting late and I wanted to get the t-case and be on my way. It is fresh in the yard so I'm going to go back and scope it out better next week. Anyone ever hear of a setup like this? It looks like it is 100% factory but I have never heard of one. Seems the PS pump runs the ram. The truck had a plow but it does not loook like a factory job...very hillbilly. TIA __________________ Be yourself, by yourself.

08-23-2001, 05:11 PM	#2 (permalink)
TheLakeRat Team RedNeck Join Date: Mar 2001 Member # 3941 Location: San Angelo, Republic of Texas Posts: 890	Yes it is factory. Ford did this for only a few years. Iv'e heard that they also did it on some of the cars to but havn't seen any. I don't know why they stopped making them but a guess would be that they always had leaking problems. __________________ Matt Hodges, Owner West Texas 4Wheel & Offroad 325-653-7001 1811 W. Beauregard Ave. San Angelo, TX. 76901 www.westtexasoffroad.com Redneck is not a style, fashion, or something that occurs due to location – It’s way of life. You can’t be one - either You Are or You Aren’t. I AM.~SilverZuk

08-23-2001, 08:16 PM	#3 (permalink)
Jeepdude_Jay Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Member # 693 Location: Yakima, WA Posts: 1,387	I think it would have to be a 77 or earlier. Starting in 77 1/2 they went to real P/S. Most people think the assist is a POS, mostly because they leak like crazy and parts are impossible to find. My 77 hi-boy has the assist and it's had it's share of problems. The biggest improvement I made was to repair the cylinder. The rod was so worn that the chrome was gone. So I cut it appart and made a new rod and haven't had a problem since. The last time I checked (about 2 years ago) the seal kit for the cylinder was discontinued at the dealer and no one else had anything like it. The "drag link" is called a control valve and "IF" it were avalible from the dealer would run around $1200. You would probably be better off with one of the newer add-on assist systems that are showing up. Just my opinion. Jay __________________ 46 2A

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