Old member back with a new truck

[f25065]

I'm back! But unfortunately not living up to my 'name' anymore, as my 65 F-250 is long gone (along with a lotta cool used and NOS parts) due to a slight misjudgement in the character of a restorer. But that's the past. I stayed out of our "hobby" for a couple years, but still poked around the board here on occasion, but that usually only proved depressing since all you guys were doing so well on your rigs and mine was gone. So, a couple weeks ago, I spied this sweet little '66 F-100 factory 4wd Custom Cab short box. And, in "my" color, Caribbean Turquoise! Pretty much all stock except a 390, dual exhaust, a manual dual master cylinder. VERY straight body and front chrome bumper/aluminum grille. A little begging, borrowing and stealing later, it's now in my driveway!

So now that I'm no longer a 250 guy and am now a 4X4 guy, I'm left with a couple questions because I don't know anything about these 4x4 Slicks. I'd done the power steering and power front disc brake conversions on my 250, and I think power brakes aren't a big deal on this one (right??), but I'm not seeing much in regards to a 4wd power steering conversion, retaining the original column (very important to me). I take it that '67-'72 4x4 p/s parts aren't a direct bolt-in? Are the 4wd trucks with manual steering generally more difficult to steer than the 2wd manual trucks, or does this one probably need some work? I remember my 250 steering much easier when it was manual steering.

I'll try to post some pics in Members, and check out Parts Wanted too, because I'm gonna need a couple things. Good to be back for real.

Norm
Martinez, Ca.

[MadMaxetc]

Welcome back!

You went from one type that I don't know much about, to the other. So I won't be much help.

Good luck and...

What about pictures?

[F7BIGJOB]

Hi. my F250 4X4 steers a bit harder than my old 65 F250 2wd and 63 F100 doing brakes this winter putting in all stock, from single pot to drum on drum :peepwall:as it is now, just kind of freshing it up as only 10,700 original miles, replacing all lines and hoses too. I haven't been to concerned about want to change to power anything.
When I logged on and saw your member name threw me back a bit, thats my email address less the verizon etc...

[ICEMAN6166]

welcome back

the 66 f100 4x4 other than body is no different from the 67-72 f100 4x4.
all came with the single speed transfer case

my wife has a 66 long flareside f100 4x4
she has no desire to have ps but we did replace the original manual gearbox with one from a 78 bronco several years ago

info on ps conversions for f100 4x4 is here

http://www.fordification.com/tech/power ... 00-4WD.htm

[qwertyd10n]

Hey Norm,

Welcome back from another 4x4 owner... I've got a '66 F100 4x4 Styleside long box. I've done the PS conversion on my truck already and am currently getting all my ducks in a row to swap front axles so I can have discs on the front.

In response to your question about whether 4x4s are more difficult to steer, I don't really have any 2WD experience to compare to, but I can tell you that if you've got wider tires on your truck it will be much more difficult to steer. I've got 33x12.5x15 tires on my truck and I can tell you from experience that is wasn't "fun" to try and get into tight spaces.

I did quite a bit of digging and found this article about how to mount up a late 70s PS sector from a Bronco or F150 to a 67-72 F100 4x4... which is pretty much the same as our truck... http://www.ford-trucks.com/article/idx/ ... SION_.html

As mentioned above, I have done this conversion on my truck already and it works AWESOME! I found a PS sector from a '79 Bronco and had the worm gear reversed. I used the original steering column with an expandable Borgeson steering shaft. You can check out the few pics I took here: http://s772.photobucket.com/albums/yy9/ ... 1QQtppZZ28

I ended up using a Saginaw style PS pump and mounting brackets from these guys: http://www.ndgearheadscruiserproducts.com/id22.htm

And I also decided to install a PS oil cooler as well.

As for the disc brakes, I've also got a front Dana 44 axle from a '79 Bronco that I'm planning to swap under my truck this winter... the biggest difference between the '79 version and the '66 version of the D44 in our trucks is the disc brakes. I've got some ideas on how to improve the Bronco front axle even further (like using T-Bird calipers which have bigger pistons and SS braided brakes lines to improve pedal feel), and I'm currently trying to flush all that out.

Let me know if you want any other info... I'd be happy to help if I can.

Cheers,
Dion

[bunchoftrucks]

Wo

Hey Norm,

Welcome back from another 4x4 owner... I've got a '66 F100 4x4 Styleside long box. I've done the PS conversion on my truck already and am currently getting all my ducks in a row to swap front axles so I can have discs on the front.

In response to your question about whether 4x4s are more difficult to steer, I don't really have any 2WD experience to compare to, but I can tell you that if you've got wider tires on your truck it will be much more difficult to steer. I've got 33x12.5x15 tires on my truck and I can tell you from experience that is wasn't "fun" to try and get into tight spaces.

I did quite a bit of digging and found this article about how to mount up a late 70s PS sector from a Bronco or F150 to a 67-72 F100 4x4... which is pretty much the same as our truck... http://www.ford-trucks.com/article/idx/ ... SION_.html

As mentioned above, I have done this conversion on my truck already and it works AWESOME! I found a PS sector from a '79 Bronco and had the worm gear reversed. I used the original steering column with an expandable Borgeson steering shaft. You can check out the few pics I took here: http://s772.photobucket.com/albums/yy9/ ... 1QQtppZZ28

I ended up using a Saginaw style PS pump and mounting brackets from these guys: http://www.ndgearheadscruiserproducts.com/id22.htm

And I also decided to install a PS oil cooler as well.

As for the disc brakes, I've also got a front Dana 44 axle from a '79 Bronco that I'm planning to swap under my truck this winter... the biggest difference between the '79 version and the '66 version of the D44 in our trucks is the disc brakes. I've got some ideas on how to improve the Bronco front axle even further (like using T-Bird calipers which have bigger pistons and SS braided brakes lines to improve pedal feel), and I'm currently trying to flush all that out.

Let me know if you want any other info... I'd be happy to help if I can.

Cheers,
Dion

Wow wish I'd seen that article about 6 years ago LOL Dion before you swap that 79 axle check the difference in the radius arm mounting wedges compared to the ones on your 66 axle.

[ICEMAN6166]

you can buy different degree offset wedge bushings to change the angle of the axle so it should not be an issue.

[bunchoftrucks]

I ended up with 7 degee bushings and that wasn't enough, ended up having to use a 2" radius arm bracket from super lift to get it back in spec since I have 2"rancho springs as well.

[qwertyd10n]

Do you have the part number for the Super Lift radius arm bracket you used? Just in case I need to use them too...

Cheers,
Dion

[bunchoftrucks]

Dion, its a superlift item and I just called the them. They gave my to a tech guy and I explained what I was doing and he gave me the part #,you will need the bolt kit as well since our trucks brackets are riveted on. Check out old catalogs for the bob tail Broncos as they have kits for disc brakes and power steering conversions using Ford boxes that have been "re-racked". I understand that I could have just swapped over everything from the ball joints out and have had my disc brakes with out all the other aggravation, time and cash. Of course you'll need the prop valve and brake lines, M/C etc from a 79 to complete the swap.

[f25065]

Great info to have guys...Thanks. So this is just a 4wd on and off set up (2wd and 4wd), as in no 4-high and 4-low? Is that what single- speed transfer case means? Both shift knobs were replaced by 8-ball knobs (something I *badly* need to remedy with correct shift-knobs when I find them), so I have no idea on the 4wd. The power conversions will probably come in time... had a couple scary moments getting it home with the old manual set-ups... not used to them anymore! The steering is a lot harder than I'm used to too but will probably start with rebuilding or replacing the manual box. There are pics posted in my member album to check out. Interior is pretty ugly but it's gonna change. Today I re-keyed the truck... it had separate keys for lock & ignition. I had a set of NOS locks that were for my other truck, so now this one is all keyed alike. I also installed door panels and trim and door storage boxes and trim on both doors. Baby steps.

[qwertyd10n]

Hey Norm,

You're correct about the single speed transfer case... you're either in 2WD or 4WD, which is 4H - no 4L or N.

I replaced my stock, black shifter knobs with these aluminum ones after I swapped an NP205 transfer case in for the stock Dana 21 unit:



So, I've got the stock knobs sitting in the box of the truck right now... they're in good shape and the shift pattern on both is still there - a little white paint would bring that part back to life. Fire me a PM if you're interested and I can take a couple pics.

Cheers,
Dion