Hi guys, I'm new to this site and couldn't find what I was looking for so thought I would post this. I have a 58 ford retractable w/o power steering and I want to convert using the Borgeson box. What I am wondering is has anyone done that in a 58 ford that could give me some pointers. I thought I would ask before I start and go through the learning curve if I can learn from experience. Thanks in advance.
I would suggest joining the 57 Ford international forum. i think there's someone doing this swap now. http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j...om/about.htm&usg=AOvVaw2hVrygk_68q220kaSxnslu
We're going to be doing a power steering conversion on a buddy's '58 edsel that is the same set up as the '58 fairlane and this is the front runner for it. A little expensive, but according to borgeson, you can reuse the manual steering components but need to modify the end of the column and possibly add a coupling https://www.summitracing.com/parts/brg-800115
Buddy of mine had it done to his 57 Bird... Steering column was most of the work. loves it but it was a pain to do....
The column is going to be where all of your work is. The 57-59 chassis uses the steering box with the integrated steering shaft. The Borgeson box uses a divorced steering column and a U joint or rag joint to connect. Yes, you will either need to heavily modify the factory column with a lower bearing, or replace the column in its entirely. One of the biggest issues you will have is actually with your floor pan. There is a large 2 piece cover that covers the hole where the steering box was passed through for assembly, since the column and box are installed as a preassembled unit. Now without the column being rigidly mounted to the box, you'll need to mount the lower column to the firewall. It's a real pain in the ass.
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