Re: power steering conversion
Posted by:
Gordo
(68.119.1.---)
Posts: 672
Date: December 13, 2012 06:05PM
John, the conversion to adapt the ford unit was very expensive. It was really a nice conversion however. the reason for it not being produced was insurance liability.
The Canadian made unit came with a 80's thru early nineties ford steering box which is hydraulic served by a dodge powered pump just like the one you already have.
(zero slave assist in the ford application)
It was not an easy bolt up to the dodge frame even though it used its pittman arm as a thru hole in frame same as Dodge. The difficuty was the shape,.. the ford box did not offer a bolt hole plateau that could easily be modified. The then in business Canadian manufacturer elected to make a molded bracket to have it apply to a direct bolt up to a dodge frame. This in turn had the Canadian manufacturer sell a new ford motor co. gear housing (machined) that went with the gearbox at an extra cost.
John it turned out that to make a profit it had to retail for over a thousand dollars. The manufacture still found with the high insurance costs, the machine work, etc too heavy a lift so he shut down. Several members purchased one and they seem to really like it.
THE GOOD NEWS,....... read below,..
What seems to be popular with the innovative Sweptline bunch is get a used ford box from a wrecking yard and and make it fit.
( 50.00 to 75.00 for a used unit and blacksmith it together. Works fantastic and users love it.
Members do not seem to be willing to sell their plans or their handy work. too much liability.
I have pictures to share if you would like. I have pictures of the Canadian manufactured unit. No,.. I did not buy one however I saved some pictures.
I also have pictures of a blacksmith style ford box conversion.
BTW,... The pittman arm does not just do a bolt up but there are several different mods that have been done. Gordo