early 50s ford pickup questions???

[El Hueso]

im lookin' at '51 ford f100. its a great truck but the steering is crappy. is there a way to adjust the steering on these? are they easy to rebuild? does anybody know of any kits available? are they interchangable with any other years or makes? oh and anybody got any inspiration fotos of early fords? thanks...

[BELLM]

Parts are readialy available, fairly easy to rebuild. 48-52 F-1 columns are good hot rod material, always have been. You can adjust them but probably won't do too much good,usually worn out. Pick up a copy of Classic Trucks, lots of suppliers advertise there. They make a good looking ride. I have a 50 F-1 I am going to build someday. I like the fat fendered look. If you are considering going to IFS HAMBer El Polako, owner of Industrial Chassis, makes a nice Dodge Dakota crossmember that I plan on using on mine as I like the strength & I live 3 miles from the nearest paved road, so I need something tuff. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[BELLM]

Oh yeah, look back 4 or 5 pages today to a post by Nads re rebuilding F-1 boxes. Good info there.

[El Hueso]

another question i got. what gear ratios did they offer in '51? cause of the steering i couldnt get goin' to fast to see what kind of highway speeds she will do, during the test drive...

[mtflat]

3.92 and 4.27 figure on 55-60 before the flathead starts screaming.

IF there's any adjustment left, the steering gearbox has an adjuster nut down by the exhaust manifold. Back off the lock nut and turn the screw in a little.

Put the axle on jackstands, wheels straight ahead. Adjust a little until you feel slight tight spot at the center as you move the steering wheel back and forth, then it back off until the tight spot disappears.

That's the backyard approach - the shop manual lists the inch-pounds of preload you should start with.