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Technical Difference in F1 ,and F100 steering box

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by 48fordnut, Jul 26, 2017.

  1. 48fordnut
    Joined: Nov 4, 2005
    Posts: 4,215

    48fordnut
    Member Emeritus

    What are the differences in the F1 steering box and the F100?
     
  2. I believe the F-100 is a little bigger and the mast comes in on the bottom rather than the top...but I've been wrong before.
     
    geoscot49 likes this.
  3. chopndrop
    Joined: Feb 8, 2005
    Posts: 715

    chopndrop
    Member

    F1 column comes out from bottom of box, F100 comes from top when viewed from side
     
  4. alchemy
    Joined: Sep 27, 2002
    Posts: 20,405

    alchemy
    Member

    Easy way to tell from the pitman arm side is the F1 has a large nut holding the pitman arm onto the fully splined sector, and the F100 has a pinch bolt on the pitman holding it to the sector, which only has a few splines at the top of the pitman.
     
    Runnin shine likes this.

  5. 48fordnut
    Joined: Nov 4, 2005
    Posts: 4,215

    48fordnut
    Member Emeritus

    The HAMB posse comes thru again.
    Thanks for the answers.
     
  6. Mr48chev
    Joined: Dec 28, 2007
    Posts: 33,861

    Mr48chev
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Here are two photos of an F-1 box and one of an F100 box
    I borrowed one of Junkmanjr's photos out of the classifieds so give him photo creds for the F-1 box photos in the top too and used a somewhat generic F100 box photo in the bottom photo . F1box 3.jpeg F1 box.jpeg
    Note I have been informed that the lower photo was altogether wrong
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Jun 2, 2019
    48fordnut likes this.
  7. alchemy
    Joined: Sep 27, 2002
    Posts: 20,405

    alchemy
    Member

    Mr48chev, that last pic is not an F100, itsa stock 32 Ford.
     
    29AVEE8 likes this.
  8. Kiwi 4d
    Joined: Sep 16, 2006
    Posts: 3,564

    Kiwi 4d
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    Sorry MR48chev but the last image will confuse folk as to me it looks very much like a 32/36 ford car steering box. The top two appear to be F1 with the off set mast and splined sector shaft.
     
    Last edited: Jul 26, 2017
    48fordnut and 29AVEE8 like this.
  9. Just a little more info on the F-100 boxes. 53-56 have a pitman arm with the ball stud on the end, and 57-60 have a pitman arm with a tapered hole for a tie rod end. The steering boxes are the same, and the pitman arms also interchange. Both pitman arms have the large pinch bolt at the top and only a few splines.
     
    bct likes this.
  10. 48fordnut
    Joined: Nov 4, 2005
    Posts: 4,215

    48fordnut
    Member Emeritus

    Thanks for all the info,and pics.
     
  11. chopndrop
    Joined: Feb 8, 2005
    Posts: 715

    chopndrop
    Member

    Well, just to add a side by side, here is a 48-52 F1, 53-56 F100 and arm, and 57-60 F100 and arm, left to right. Didn't have a F1 pitman arm handy 20170726_213837.jpg
     
    alanp561, Kiwi 4d and Truck64 like this.
  12. alchemy
    Joined: Sep 27, 2002
    Posts: 20,405

    alchemy
    Member

    Any Ford pitman arm that's passenger and light commercial size from 32-48 will fit the F1 box.
     
    Tim likes this.
  13. woodz
    Joined: Feb 23, 2010
    Posts: 544

    woodz
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    This is great info guys.
    I have a question that I seem to find conflicting info on, which one is the best for upgrading the Model A steering box with?


    Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
  14. Depending on what engine you are using, the F1 may give move clearance. The shaft exiting from the bottom of the box will help in some situations. The F1 uses the same internals as the '37-'48 passenger steering box.
     
  15. 48fordnut
    Joined: Nov 4, 2005
    Posts: 4,215

    48fordnut
    Member Emeritus

    This question opened up a wealth of information.
    Thanks to all.
    jim
     
  16. Another consideration on the F-1 is the shaft on the bottom changes the angle of the steering shaft and wheel. Not a big deal; but something to take into account.

    The huge flange on the F-100 can be trimmed and new holes added, or cut off and a new one welded on, this helps with mounting angle and depth too.
     
  17. The guys on the ford barn use a converted f100 box for the model a's. I used a not so modified f100 in my '28 build, with the f100 you can use the stock A column drop and the f1 you need to make an extension.
     
    bct likes this.
  18. Never2low
    Joined: Jan 14, 2008
    Posts: 1,160

    Never2low
    Member

    Great info! Pics help a lot (saved to my phone for future reference)!
    I passed on one at a swap last year, simply because I didn't know how to tell which one it was. (guy selling wasn't sure)
    And didn't want to get spend money on an unusable/undesirable one.
    Now I know! "And knowing is half the battle!"
     
  19. woodz
    Joined: Feb 23, 2010
    Posts: 544

    woodz
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Thanks for the replays guys.
    I have an F100 box but was told it wouldn't work and need an earlier F1.
    I looked into the ones the guys on the Ford Barn are using and contacted the guy that makes them. Too rich for my blood.
    I am only running the Banger, not a V8 so clearance isn't too big a deal.
    I just wanted to be sure it will work before rebuilding it and spending the time modifying it.


    Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     

  20. I looked around and found out what needed to be done. I'm not running the stock headlight switch, so no mods at the bottom. The only real mods I'm doing are trimming foot to fit into the A frame, shortening it, changing the shaft end to run the A wheel and running the A column collar.
     
  21. 48fordnut
    Joined: Nov 4, 2005
    Posts: 4,215

    48fordnut
    Member Emeritus

    I think after this discussion people will be looking closer at the F100 box. I know I will.
    Thanks all that contributed.
     
  22. nobby
    Joined: Jan 8, 2006
    Posts: 1,206

    nobby
    Member

    hello, I happen to have a 1964 ford f100 steering gear box.....
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    these I think will take Saginaw 525 internals, i.e. the longer corvette sector shaft
    or even fully splined sectors
    short input shafts at different ratios
    the input worm is right handed
    -heres another box, a 65 dodge d100 - happens to have a short input shaft, and a left handed input worm
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG] [​IMG]

    1971 mustang - bit like a Saginaw 525 - insides are similar ish
    [​IMG]

    I think what I mean is, you could fit a fully splined sector shaft from a 525 into them and then clock your pitmann armwhere needed, ensuring the sector central tooth is engaged in the middle of the ball nut for straight ahead grab, something like that.
    also 71-80 Camaro pitmann arms 6 and 7 '' take an early for tie rod taper
    and fit - 1 1/6''
    oh and there are 3 input ratios corvette seems the quickest 16 - 1 , I have fitted one into a c10 Saginaw 525, and can get 2.5 inches of travel for 1 turn - 2 turns of wheel lock to lock
    I think mustang is 18 or 20, all the pick up ones are real slow at 22-1
     
    Last edited: Aug 2, 2017
  23. Mark T
    Joined: Feb 19, 2007
    Posts: 2,033

    Mark T
    Member

    If you use the internal parts from an F1 in a F100 box or vise versa, will it turn in the opposite direction?
     
  24. Fortunateson
    Joined: Apr 30, 2012
    Posts: 5,331

    Fortunateson
    Member

    Back to the future... on a ‘32 5W which would be a better choice when running an 8BA, F1 or F100?
     

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