best way to deal with steering during cab swap?

[bike5087]

I am moving right along in my attempt to swap a 68 2wd body to a 73 4wd frame. I'm at the point where I have to deal with the steering column and steering shaft in order to remove the cab from the 73. What's the best way to deal with this? I'm haveing a hard time figuring out how to remove it without messing it up!

[Racer Z]

I never worked on a 73. I've taken my 69 & 70 apart (both F250).

It's easier if you take the steering wheel off first, but can be done while still attached. I've done it both ways.

Engine bay:
Disconnect the rag joint in the engine compartment.
If you have a column shifter, disconnect the rods.
I think there is a clamp around the column near the firewall that need to be removed. This is in the engine bay.

Cockpit:
Unbolt the firewall cover. There is a large, flat rubber seal behind it that is glued on. Be careful not to rip the rubber.
Disconnect the neutral safety switch if you have an auto.
Unbolt the underdash mount and pull the entire column out as an assembly. You will have to twist it around a bit to get the shifter arms through the egg shaped hole in the firewall.

I think that about covers it. My guess is the the 73 is more or less the same.

[bike5087]

I dont think the 4wd has a rag joint - it seems like it's more like a u-joint with a splined and clamped connection, so I'm not sure how to seperate the shaft from the u-joint. Anyone with a 4wd f250 have experience with this?

[70 ranger]

Any chance of you taking a picture of the 73 column?

[basketcase0302]

it seems like it's more like a u-joint with a splined and clamped connection

If memory serves me correctly you'll unbolt the coupler from the shaft coming out of the steering box-then unbolt the column from the firewall. I believe that's how my 76' EB was and it should be the same for the dent 4 X 4.

[averagef250]

There's a joint on the base of the column and a joint at the box. The joint at the box also slides in and out, this gives you the flexibility to get the shaft apart and out of the way (I think it gives enough travel for this?).

If you're putting your 2wd bump body on the 73 chassis you're going to want to save the 73 column parts. The 2wd steering column is different. If the columns are the same length you might be able to stick the 73 shaft inside the bump column tube to make what you need or just run the whole 73 column, but the wiring will probably be different.

Man, I used to remember all this stuff and what fit what. Getting old sucks.

[bike5087]

I'll try to take a photo of the 73 column and steering shaft - I planned on keeping the 73's because it's so different than the 68 - this steering column and shaft stuff is new to me, never had to work on any. Thanks everyone for your response - I may be able to sneek out there to snap a photo tonight.

[knightfire83]

1. If it is a shifter column remove the linkage(s).

2. At the base of the steering column there is a splined shaft (#3A526) that fits in to the u-joint assembly. There is a clamp with a bolt running thru it. Remove the bolt. (#20426-S)

3. Loosen the large clamp holding the base of the steering column to the firewall bracket. (#3668)

4. Remove the lower steering column firewall bracket from the firewall. (#3668)

5. Disconnect any wiring from the steering column.

6. Remove the upper steering column mounting bolts from the dash area. (#379121-S)

7. The splined shaft from step #2 will separate from the u-joint assembly. This may take some effort and foul language to pull / pry them apart.

8. Steering column is out.

[bike5087]

Sounds like I have a struggle ahead of me - thanks for the clarification!

[mr_josh]

It's really not that hard. The first time I did the one in my truck it took a little bit of fighting, but then it took MAYBE 10 minutes on the next try.

[Racer Z]

Yup. That was my experience too. The first time seemed involved, the second time was a breeze.

[bike5087]

It worked! Cab is ready to be lifted off the frame. Thanks y'all!

[bike5087]

Thanks to all the advice on this forum I now have the 68 2wd body on the 73 4wd frame - which means I am now trying to figure out the best way to reattach the steering column. My initial thought was to mount the 73 column with the 68 wiring and the 68 wheel, but I'm wondering if I can just use the 68 column with the 73 shaft - to avoid having to deal with swapping the wiring. Any advice from those that have done a body swap?

[bike5087]

So... I went ahead and just swapped out the shafts because they were the same length. Now I think I need to properly adjust the bearings.