Shoebox Ford Steering box swaps

[Brock49Ford]

Has anybody done one of those Volvo steering box swaps? Are there any other boxes that will work with the rear steer set up? I don't want to do a rack conversion. I can live without power steering, although that would work too. Does anybody have a source for those Volvo boxes? I remember an artical a few years in one of the mags that touched on this, but the rack and pinion was the route that they went.
Thanks,
Brock

[gotcha]

Brock...Get on the shoeboxford.com site. There are lots of guys on there that have already done this swap. They can help you out.

JP

[fuel pump]

I've got a Volvo box in my ragtop. Only thing is is I don't have it on the road yet. We used the Jamco parts and it sure seems like it will be much easier to turn and should track better. I'll tell you in a week or so.

[Brock49Ford]

I think that the hardest part is finding a Volvo manual box or a power box for that matter. I looked into that Gearhead perf. stuff. Yikes their is expensive!!! Don't really have interest in that, didn't look for any images to see the quality. I did a little reading at the shoebox site. Fuel pump, let me know how you like it. Where did you find your power box? Got a spare? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gifI don't even know what their worth, got to get a Hemmings and start looking.

Brock

[fuel pump]

Brock,
I did s google search and found a place that sends a list of what you want to a bunch of junk yards. One of them contacted me and I bought it from him. Paid $80 for it. It's a manual box and fit right up to the Jamco adapter.

[Brock49Ford]

Do you remember the yard that you bought it from? Just curious as I have not found one locally yet...have not looked too hard, but I am surprised that I have yet to find one. Did you use the stock Ford pitman arm or does Jamco provide a special one you have to use? Fatman fab has the bracket too, that part looks pretty easy to make if needed.

Thanks again,
Brock

[fuel pump]

Brock,
I'm not surprised you haven't found one. They are vary hard to come by. We used the stock Ford arm. Just ground off some wide "teeth" that are on it. From what I understand, the Fatman is a nice unit but I think the Jamco bracket that attaches the bottom of the streering colume to the floor is better than what Fatman uses.

[Brock49Ford]

I may have found one here pretty close to home, but the guy isnt sure if the one he thinks he has is manual or power. Doesn't matter much to me, although manual is definitly cheaper. He is going to check and see if he has the U-joint too. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I can make the column mount to the floor, and it shouldn't be to hard to find a little sealed brg with the right OD/ID to support the shaft at the end of the tube. When ar e you going to be driving yours, I wanna hear how this all works! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Brock

[Pist-n-Broke]

Stay away from Gearhead vender products!!! I've now installed 3 diferent setups of thers and "Will Not" do another for anyone. They are CRAP. There install instructions are poor at best. The steering boxes are junkyard recrutes and they don't improve the drivabilty of the car. There Tec guy will tell you how grate they are but I think he's only driven Farm equipment. Never again in this shop will there product come through the doors.
Now reaolize that's just My opinyon.
The Wizzard

[Brock49Ford]

I would definitly stay away now...but my wallet was closed as soon as I saw their prices. Yikes! Almost a grand to put on a power rack, and oh yeah we give you a template where to drill the holes. It better bolt in and be all brand new AGR, Mullins, or Flaming River stuff for that kind of $$$. Thinks for the tip!!! Buyer beware, good to know.
Brock

[fuel pump]

Brock,
I drove my ragtop for the first time today and though I had some unrelated problems, the Volvo box made a HUGH difference. Gonna ditch that big ole streering wheel and go to a smaller one. The radials helped a lot too. It's like a whole new car. Very good upgrades. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[Zapato]

My 51 has the volvo swap, I went with the adaptor from Fatman, works great wouldn't go back to stock for anything. get the whole swap with the crossarms,etc.... Didn't have any trouble finding a box locally at the U-pull its, What was hard was finding a power box, if you decide to go power grab everything related and don't cut hoses if they're sound. they are gold if you have to buy one from Volvo. I always prefered to deal w/Fatman first then JAMCO. Call Fatman and ask them for a build sheet for your car, it will get you thinking. Custom Rodder did a volvo swap years ago, believe it was Weesners car. Go for it, you won't be disappointed.

[BELLM]

I just got a Fatman catalog, has a copy of the Weesner article, one on th MII stub, also one about using Cavalier rack &pinion with stocl suspension?, good stuff! Can't decide what to do, want to use Chev V-8 as I have lots of stuff. Anyone do Chev with stock suspension?

[Brock49Ford]

That is good to know!!! Seeing as I just found a Volvo power box the other day. I should get it in a week or so depending on transit time. I was just thinking that I'd have a couple of lines made up by one of the local hydralic shops. It is definitly going to be a winter project for me. Going to be putting the 8" rear in first. I will probably change steering wheels too, esp. if I end up using the power rack. Going to keep an eye open for a manual one also. I like the simplicity of manual steering. Now I have desirable trading stock at the very least.

Thanks,
Brock

[HotRodMicky]

Hi,
what years , model Volvo do fit?
Thanks
Michael

[Zapato]

[ QUOTE ]
Anyone do Chev with stock suspension?

[/ QUOTE ]

THat be me, stock suspension,283/350, homemade saddle mount. with stock steering had to hammer in back of pan for crossbar clearance. w/fatman complete setup had to build a centersump pan using an early Nova oilpump. Or could have mounted motor a bit higher and avoided a lot of work. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

[BELLM]

HotRodMickey '68 to '78 Volvo 140 series per Fatman catalog literature. They make a mount for the manual box.

[Zapato]

[ QUOTE ]
HotRodMickey '68 to '78 Volvo 140 series per Fatman catalog literature. They make a mount for the manual box.

[/ QUOTE ]

that mount also works with the power box, which almost looks to me like its the same bottom half with a pump mounted on top. its a great box as it gives assist specially in parking and other low speed manuevers without feeling dead or sloppy at speed. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

[Brock49Ford]

I should have my Volvo box here in a few days, I'll try and post a picture. From my understanding both boxes, manual and power, mount the same way. I don't know if I'll have enough room for the power box with the Cadillac exhaust manifold. I made a dropped drag link to clear the pan, so I just need to mount the box so that the pitman arm is in the stock location.

[fuel pump]

If anyone is interested in seeing pics of a volvo streering box installation in a 50 shoebox use the link below. Then go to shoebox. We used the Jamco kit to install it. I've only driven the car 50 miles or so but I can tell you it makes a world of difference. Well worth the time and $$$.


http://public.fotki.com/fuelpump/

[epinut]

140 series were made 67-74. -75 they started making the 240 series which had rack & pinion.

[stephenVB]

I got to this thread because I can't seem to find a pitman arm for my 69 Volvo. It seems that you guys are buying up all the old boxes. However, it seems that sometimes you don't use the pitman arm. Does any have a pitman arm they are willing to sell?

Thanks