1968 F250 Horns not working

[youngbodean70F250]

My 1968 F250 (4x2) horns don’t work normally. If I place a ground strap from steering column shaft to ground, the horns do work. Without that ground strap, the relay doesn’t click and the horns obviously don’t operate.

From my understanding, up to ‘68-69ish, there was not a “strap” connecting the rag-joint for continuity. I’m hoping to avoid pulling the wheel, which it sounds like I don’t since the horns function when the column is grounded like I mentioned.

Any thoughts?

[Fraser]

Everything with a relay requires a grounded rag joint, starting in '79, a 2 wire system was used in the column, so no relay was needed. Sometimes, the power will find ground through the bearings and into the dash, and you will have an intermittent function.
I would say check the strap in the rag, it may look good, but be cracked. It's very unlikely that the bolts holding the box are not making ground, but try tightening them anyway. Some vehicles have a ground strap on the box, my Lincoln does, but I'm not sure if a truck does.