The Ford Barn

19Fordy · 02-12-2017, 11:09 AM

Curious to know if the 1947-48 Ford steering box and column can be used to replace the stock 1940 Ford steering?

Is the lock to lock steering ratio the same and is it a "bolt in?

Or, is it possible to keep the 40 steering column in place and use only the 47-48 box?

blucar · 02-12-2017, 11:38 AM

From my experience I don't think the '40, '41-48 steering gears are interchangeable. The '40 box is interchangeable with the '36-39 with very little alterations, starting in '41 Ford made big changes to their cars, resulting in the '41/48 being a much larger car, wheelbase and tread-wise.
The actual steering gears might be similar, however. the column shaft is much longer.

Mac VP · 02-12-2017, 02:21 PM

In terms of what GEARS are in the gearbox, they should be the same from 1937-48. However, as stated above, the steering shaft (with the pressed on worm) is different between the 1940 and the 1948 units. You could press off the '48 gear if its good, and press it onto your 1940 steering shaft. This is a difficult job to do without bending the shaft. You have to make something to grip the shaft tightly below the worm before using the press.

kp · 02-12-2017, 02:34 PM

48 did not have locking steering . Locking steering stopped in 47

19Fordy · 02-12-2017, 02:39 PM

Thanks for the replies. Seems like it not a simple conversion as the parts are so different. Reason I asked is that I have a 1947 steering box and column that I was saving, thinking I could use it in my 40 if I ever needed to.

Charlie ny · 02-12-2017, 02:43 PM

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Macs got it as usual...........I'm using a '48 worm and sector in my '41 1/2 ton. I machined the shaft out of the '48 worm then heated the '41 worm and worried the steering shaft out of it. No jive my 40 ton press barely moved the '41 shaft.........I did
turn up a piloted pusher so very minimal damage was done to the '41 shaft. I did sweat heating the '48 worm when installing it on the '41 shaft. If you have a 40 ton press , a lathe, and a lot of oxy acetylene heat it is a piece of cake.
Charlie ny

02-12-2017, 11:09 AM	#1
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 11,002	Replacing a 40 Ford steering box with a 1948 Ford box Curious to know if the 1947-48 Ford steering box and column can be used to replace the stock 1940 Ford steering? Is the lock to lock steering ratio the same and is it a "bolt in? Or, is it possible to keep the 40 steering column in place and use only the 47-48 box?

02-12-2017, 11:38 AM	#2
blucar Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Ventura, CA Posts: 2,464	Re: Replacing a 40 Ford steering box with a 1948 Ford box From my experience I don't think the '40, '41-48 steering gears are interchangeable. The '40 box is interchangeable with the '36-39 with very little alterations, starting in '41 Ford made big changes to their cars, resulting in the '41/48 being a much larger car, wheelbase and tread-wise. The actual steering gears might be similar, however. the column shaft is much longer. __________________ Bill.... 36 5 win cpe

02-12-2017, 02:21 PM	#3
Mac VP Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 1,366	Re: Replacing a 40 Ford steering box with a 1948 Ford box In terms of what GEARS are in the gearbox, they should be the same from 1937-48. However, as stated above, the steering shaft (with the pressed on worm) is different between the 1940 and the 1948 units. You could press off the '48 gear if its good, and press it onto your 1940 steering shaft. This is a difficult job to do without bending the shaft. You have to make something to grip the shaft tightly below the worm before using the press. __________________ VANPELT SALES LLC Cincinnati, Ohio Office: 513-724-9486 www.vanpeltsales.com www.classictransmission.com

02-12-2017, 02:34 PM	#4
kp Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wimberley ,Tx. Posts: 233	Re: Replacing a 40 Ford steering box with a 1948 Ford box 48 did not have locking steering . Locking steering stopped in 47

02-12-2017, 02:39 PM	#5
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 11,002	Re: Replacing a 40 Ford steering box with a 1948 Ford box Thanks for the replies. Seems like it not a simple conversion as the parts are so different. Reason I asked is that I have a 1947 steering box and column that I was saving, thinking I could use it in my 40 if I ever needed to.

02-12-2017, 02:43 PM	#6
Charlie ny BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 3,019	Re: Replacing a 40 Ford steering box with a 1948 Ford box Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Macs got it as usual...........I'm using a '48 worm and sector in my '41 1/2 ton. I machined the shaft out of the '48 worm then heated the '41 worm and worried the steering shaft out of it. No jive my 40 ton press barely moved the '41 shaft.........I did turn up a piloted pusher so very minimal damage was done to the '41 shaft. I did sweat heating the '48 worm when installing it on the '41 shaft. If you have a 40 ton press , a lathe, and a lot of oxy acetylene heat it is a piece of cake. Charlie ny