Power steering swap on a 65/66

[Gritsngumbo]

What's the procedure for adding power steering to a 65/66 Twin I-Beam (let's assume already with disc brakes? Buy a power steering box and pump and bracket from a 67-73 truck, then as I understand it you need to get a steering column out of a power steering equipped truck as the P.S. box is longer plus of course hoses, belts etc. Is that all there is to it?

[jeepbut]

Go to the gym 3 nights a week. Any other questions? Thanks, Lyman.

[Poppyred66]

Even less work than that if you use a Bendix box. Your steering column will be the correct length. The Bendix is hard to find, expensive to rebuild, (some say) failure-prone, but "correct" for a '66 built after Dec 1, 1965. No p/s in '65.
Eric

[dotcentral]

Grits, you also would want the PS version of the firewall mounted steering column clamp. The PS version has either PS or Power Steering stamped on it. Easier to find those in the 73-79 trucks. It repositions the column somewhat.

[banjopicker66]

You will need the PS pitman arm for the gear box as well. There are at least three types, one for manual steering, one for the Bendix box and one for the later one used '69 or so on up to '79. I used a '76 box and pitman arm on my '66 linkage with no problem. (When I transplanted disc brakes, I replaced all the steering linkage parts with new parts for a '76 F-150.)
The rag joint coupler (the metal part, not the rubber washer) is box dependent.
As mentioned, you need a PS firewall bracket. (It is so marked, by the way, from a '69-'79 truck.)
I used a '69-'72 power steering automatic column when I switched to a C6, and replaced the under-dash support bracket from a scrap '66 column. I got to use my original '66 Galaxie steering wheel this way too.
This '72 column also reduced rewiring issues, allowing me to use the '66 turn signal switch and keep the original wiring harness. A '73 and later column will have the 4-way flashers in the turn signal switch, and will require a little bit more reworking, but it isn't that hard.
If you are using a later engine that will accept engine brackets from a '78 or later (such as a 302 or similar) or even a serpentine setup, then you can use the plastic bodied PS pump with the large round mouth. This pump was used all the way up into the '90s and is better, in my opinion, than the metal canister-bodied ones. The pressure gradients and all are the same for the pumps (except the Bendix one), just the shape has been changed.

[Hawkrod]

Here are a few points that may help. First, the Bendix steering boxes do use a different column. You may get lucky and you can reuse your old column but not everybody is so lucky as assembly tolerances can affect it and the correct Bendix column is about 5/8 of an inch shorter than a manual column. Many people have used a manual column but many more have been disappointed to find out it won't work, it's a crapshoot. The firewall plate for a 73-79 is different than the one for a 67-72. They will fit but you need to drill a new hole because they changed the location of one bolt in 73. You can use the turn signal housing off of your old column on any column up to 77 so if you are using a Saginaw box but want to retain your original switch and wires, your turn signal housing will switch right over (so you don't have to use the flasher setup although that is only one extra wire and is easy, also note if you use the earlier housing you leave out the c clips on the shaft). If you use an early 70's or later column and want to use an earlier steering wheel you need to cut off the top nib on the column and use an earlier nut (Just make the top of your new column match the old one!). Hawkrod

[4 Baja]

Also, the Saginaw box interferes with the coil bucket/shock tower. Check for clearance before tightening up the 3 bolts. When I installed a box from a 1973 into my '66, I notched the rear inside corner and had to trim the fender well slightly. I have heard others grind off the power steering box without a problem. I didn't want to chance it.