1937-39 Steering Box
 

I will be looking for a 37-9 Ford Steering box.
When looking thru the piles at our swap meets how do i tell them apart from other years?

Thanks!

Re: 1937-39 Steering Box
 

here is a housing on EBAY.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Original-19...UAAOSw-IheB6x2

Re: 1937-39 Steering Box
 

Hey Tim...Here's a good comparison pic. The larger box on the left is a 1939 ('37 & '38 also). The same basic box is used all the way thru '48, except that the lower cap where the light switch is located becomes merely a flat plate in 1940 because '40 went to a modern headlight switch. The smaller box on the right is a '36. DD


https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...5&d=1519698547

Re: 1937-39 Steering Box
 

If the mast jacket is still on it there should be no place for column shift (40 and later) and should have headlight switch type bottom plate. The lock collar might be in a different place on some years but not sure on where it is on a 37-9 shaft if mast jacket is off.

Re: 1937-39 Steering Box
 

Deuce....You need one more cup of coffee. With respect, I believe you meant to say that there SHOULD BE a place for column shifter ('40 and later).

Re: 1937-39 Steering Box
 

One clue to tell a 37-39 from a 40-48 is the bottom plate. The 37-39 should have the adapter to mount the light switch. If no adapter, look to see if the tube going up inside the steering shaft is brass or steel. Brass is 37-39.
The bottom plates with the brass tubes can be found. You can also change them out with 13/32" brass tubing found at hobby shops.

Re: 1937-39 Steering Box
 

Good info, seeing the pictures of the two side by side helps.
On to Turlock.

Re: 1937-39 Steering Box
 

All the tubes I've encountered through '48 were brass.

Re: 1937-39 Steering Box
 

V8coopman, wasn't the question how to identify a 37-39 column? My understanding is that a 37 to 39 mast jacket would not have a place for column shift which the 40-48s would have. ( I did only have 1 cup of coffee!) Happy New Year!

Re: 1937-39 Steering Box
 

One CUP? Poop! I just finished my second POT. Baby...

Re: 1937-39 Steering Box
 

I have many of both kinds of bottom plates. The brass tube ones have thinner wall tubes so the horn rod will go thru. The steel ones used 40–48 will not let the horn rod go thru.

Re: 1937-39 Steering Box
 

Deuce....You are absolutely correct with THIS entire statement, and I know that YOU (of all people) understand how all this stuff works, but in your original comment you said......"there should be no place for column shift (40 and later)". DD

Re: 1937-39 Steering Box
 

DD I was trying to describe what the poster would see on a 39 mast jacket and I see I omitted the word "like" when I typed (40 and later). I hope I didn't confuse the poster. Sometimes when I am typing the whole thought doesn't make it from my brain to my fingers!
Next time I will try to wait until after the second cup! Thanks!

Re: 1937-39 Steering Box
 

I knew exactly what you meant in your first post, but then a newbie reading that might have gotten a bit confused, so it was well worth clarification, especially for someone reading this post a few years from now :)

Re: 1937-39 Steering Box
 

I knew that YOU have it all straight in your head, but like John (JM35) said below, I just wanted to avoid any possible confusion amongst the newbies and others needing the true scoop. Respectfully....DD