The Ford Barn

my4dv8 · 10-04-2018, 02:18 AM

We have a puzzler at present on our very original 32 pickup. We did plan to fit a modified F100 steering box but the new box when bolted to the frame 3 bolts is approx 5”1/2 too low to allow the column drop to meet the dash rail mount, So are 32 pickup steering box mounts and dash rail positions the same as a passenger car??

RB · 10-04-2018, 07:15 AM

The truck cowl is much shorter from front to rear with respect to the other body styles, I too found that when attempting to use a passenger car complete steering box in my 32 p.u., the lower steering box mount is at a different angle to accommodate the cowl. I understand this is not what you were specifically trying to do, but perhaps the adapter mount if you are using one, is drilled to fit a passenger car steering box..... In addition some f-100 boxes my need minor tweeking, I recall slightly grinding a mounting ear to get the box to rotate within the confines of the frame rail altho that was in an early chevy frame, also a wedge shim readily available may be required.

32phil · 10-04-2018, 07:44 AM

The main difference between the F100 and the original 32 steering boxes is the way the worm gear mounts vs. the sector shaft. The 32 mounts on top of the sector and the F100 mounts under. This changes the mounting angle. In addition the shorter pick up cowl exaggerates this issue. You will need a spacer between the dash and the column drop if you're using the 32 drop. As far as the frame mounting is concerned the F100 is a bigger overall box and is a tight fit in the 32 frame. A better alternative is the F1 box it is smaller but still has the same angle issue. Contact NealinCa here on the Barn he can supply a bolt in F1 box for your 32. That is the best option if you want to upgrade your box, check with Neal about needing a spacer.

DavidG · 10-04-2018, 08:11 AM

Prior to a late change in the frame rails when the three mounting holes for attaching the steering sector housing were slotted there were two different sector housings for passenger cars and commercial vehicles and those sector housings were stamped with the letter A (for passenger cars) or B (for commercial vehicles). They are visually different as to the placement of the three holes for the attachment to the chassis frame rail to accommodate the difference in cowl depths which results in less slope of the steering column in commercial vehicle. The steering column support bracket that attaches to the dash was the same for both passenger cars and commercial vehicles.

rustythumb · 10-04-2018, 11:37 AM

f-1 worm is below the sector shaft, but f-100 is above.

my4dv8 · 10-04-2018, 01:34 PM

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Thanks David ,i was hoping you would chime in. What you said makes perfect sense now.
So all 32 frame steering box mount holes are essentially the same ,bar the slotted ones, its the sector housing that varies.

DavidG · 10-04-2018, 02:41 PM

Correct!

jimTN · 10-04-2018, 03:52 PM

If you replace the worm and sector with a 34 15-1 set and new bearings, you would have a reasonably good steering gear to use.

Kahuna · 10-07-2018, 12:12 AM

X2 what jimtn said

DavidG · 10-07-2018, 08:25 AM

And while you are at it, machine the outer end of the sector housing for a modern grease seal.

10-04-2018, 02:18 AM	#1
my4dv8 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: New Zealand Posts: 1,131	32 pickup steering box mount We have a puzzler at present on our very original 32 pickup. We did plan to fit a modified F100 steering box but the new box when bolted to the frame 3 bolts is approx 5”1/2 too low to allow the column drop to meet the dash rail mount, So are 32 pickup steering box mounts and dash rail positions the same as a passenger car??

10-04-2018, 07:15 AM	#2
RB Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: papillion nebraska Posts: 412	Re: 32 pickup steering box mount The truck cowl is much shorter from front to rear with respect to the other body styles, I too found that when attempting to use a passenger car complete steering box in my 32 p.u., the lower steering box mount is at a different angle to accommodate the cowl. I understand this is not what you were specifically trying to do, but perhaps the adapter mount if you are using one, is drilled to fit a passenger car steering box..... In addition some f-100 boxes my need minor tweeking, I recall slightly grinding a mounting ear to get the box to rotate within the confines of the frame rail altho that was in an early chevy frame, also a wedge shim readily available may be required. Last edited by RB; 10-04-2018 at 07:25 AM.

10-04-2018, 07:44 AM	#3
32phil Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Montgomery, NY & Port St. Lucie Florida Posts: 975	Re: 32 pickup steering box mount The main difference between the F100 and the original 32 steering boxes is the way the worm gear mounts vs. the sector shaft. The 32 mounts on top of the sector and the F100 mounts under. This changes the mounting angle. In addition the shorter pick up cowl exaggerates this issue. You will need a spacer between the dash and the column drop if you're using the 32 drop. As far as the frame mounting is concerned the F100 is a bigger overall box and is a tight fit in the 32 frame. A better alternative is the F1 box it is smaller but still has the same angle issue. Contact NealinCa here on the Barn he can supply a bolt in F1 box for your 32. That is the best option if you want to upgrade your box, check with Neal about needing a spacer. __________________ Early Ford Lock & Key Service https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=46583

10-04-2018, 08:11 AM	#4
DavidG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southeastern Michigan Posts: 10,601	Re: 32 pickup steering box mount Prior to a late change in the frame rails when the three mounting holes for attaching the steering sector housing were slotted there were two different sector housings for passenger cars and commercial vehicles and those sector housings were stamped with the letter A (for passenger cars) or B (for commercial vehicles). They are visually different as to the placement of the three holes for the attachment to the chassis frame rail to accommodate the difference in cowl depths which results in less slope of the steering column in commercial vehicle. The steering column support bracket that attaches to the dash was the same for both passenger cars and commercial vehicles.

10-04-2018, 11:37 AM	#5
rustythumb Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: orange co. ca. Posts: 178	Re: 32 pickup steering box mount f-1 worm is below the sector shaft, but f-100 is above.

10-04-2018, 01:34 PM	#6
my4dv8 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: New Zealand Posts: 1,131	Re: 32 pickup steering box mount Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Thanks David ,i was hoping you would chime in. What you said makes perfect sense now. So all 32 frame steering box mount holes are essentially the same ,bar the slotted ones, its the sector housing that varies.

10-04-2018, 02:41 PM	#7
DavidG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southeastern Michigan Posts: 10,601	Re: 32 pickup steering box mount Correct!

10-04-2018, 03:52 PM	#8
jimTN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Powell, TN Posts: 2,617	Re: 32 pickup steering box mount If you replace the worm and sector with a 34 15-1 set and new bearings, you would have a reasonably good steering gear to use.

10-07-2018, 12:12 AM	#9
Kahuna Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: NorCal Posts: 2,617	Re: 32 pickup steering box mount X2 what jimtn said

10-07-2018, 08:25 AM	#10
DavidG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southeastern Michigan Posts: 10,601	Re: 32 pickup steering box mount And while you are at it, machine the outer end of the sector housing for a modern grease seal.