1968 Ford F100 center link hitting radius arm

[Dynomite99]

Hi guys. I'm working on putting a 1968 Ford F100 back together. Learning lots as I go and I'm I'm having fun doing it.

Some background first. It has djm dream beams with 1977 f100 disk brakes. Motor will be a 460 with c6 auto trans.

So today I mounted my 77 power steering box and attached the center link from the passenger side and noticed the center link hits the top of the radius arm. And yes I do have the relocator on the center link that came with the dream beams.

My question....is this just purely because I dont have the 750lb motor and trans installed, or am I missing something, or am I using the wrong combo of parts.

thanks

Kevin

[Dynomite99]

Here's a couple of pics to help describe what i'm talking about. Thanks

Kevin

[Ranchero50]

I don't think you have much choice beyond checking it with a load.

[Dynomite99]

I don't think you have much choice beyond checking it with a load.

Thanks for the reply. The only other thought I had is that the pitman arm is not correct for the application. I'm hoping someone that has done a similar swap can chime in.

Kevin

[Ranchero50]

The F-100-250 arm is different from the F-350 arm which has more drop to allow for the taller frame rails. About 1/2" or so difference and they are direct swaps. If you go that route I'd suggest doing the same for the passenger side to help keep bump steer even.

[DuckRyder]

Honestly, I would wait until I had it together to worry a lot about this...

[sargentrs]

I kinda agree with your concerns. My truck is all original I-beams. I have installed discs from a '74. No engine, tranny or front clip like yours. Center link, tie rods and pitman are loose bolted. Here's how mine looks. With added weight, I would expect top clearance to decrease.

[DuckRyder]

Actually in reviewing the pictures It seems your pittman arm has less offset than Randy’s.

I’ll go look at mine in the morning.

In the mean time you may find some pictures in my project thread helpful. http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... 7&start=75

[sargentrs]

My P/S gear and pitman came from a '71.

[Dynomite99]

Actually in reviewing the pictures It seems your pittman arm has less offset than Randy’s.

I’ll go look at mine in the morning.

In the mean time you may find some pictures in my project thread helpful. http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... 7&start=75

So I guess I need to determine if there is a difference between '67-72 and '73-'79 p/s gears and pitman arms. Hopefully next weekend i'll get an opportunity to get the 460 mocked up and see if i'm really screwed .

Thanks to everyone for their replies so far.

Kevin

[Dynomite99]

I kinda agree with your concerns. My truck is all original I-beams. I have installed discs from a '74. No engine, tranny or front clip like yours. Center link, tie rods and pitman are loose bolted. Here's how mine looks. With added weight, I would expect top clearance to decrease.

Thanks for the pic. Your pitman arm does look different. Although with weight added I would think the top clearance would increase as the frame (and the steering gear bolted to it) drops with the added weight.

Kevin

[Dynomite99]

My P/S gear and pitman came from a '71.

I checked the number on the gear. Hard to tell if it's D1 or D7

[DuckRyder]

FWIW.

My truck is a 72 and has factory PS. I believe the box is original. It has 74 disc on it and already had the pittman arm that works with the later steering linkage. This was AFAIK on late 71 and 72 bumps ONLY. (See the disk conversion article here)



Here are a couple shots of the linkage through the radius rods.

[Ranchero50]

I kinda agree with your concerns. My truck is all original I-beams. I have installed discs from a '74. No engine, tranny or front clip like yours. Center link, tie rods and pitman are loose bolted. Here's how mine looks. With added weight, I would expect top clearance to decrease.

Steering box drops in relation to the tire as weight is added so the rods would drop in the opening. The different swing length between the I beams and tie rods adds to it as well.

[Dynomite99]

FWIW.

My truck is a 72 and has factory PS. I believe the box is original. It has 74 disc on it and already had the pittman arm that works with the later steering linkage. This was AFAIK on late 71 and 72 bumps ONLY. (See the disk conversion article here)

So i've re-read the disk brake conversion article as well as the section on steering linkage differences. I went out and double checked my setup. I have the later style pitman arm as well as the later style steering linkage. The only items up front original to the '68 are the radius arms. Unless the radius arms are MUCH bigger on the '73-'79, i'm down to waiting to get the weight of the motor in there to see if that corrects things.

Kevin