Steering box interchange

[MBF]

I bought a '52 parts truck. One of the pieces that I havested was the steering box. I have play in the one in my 52 that I can't adjust out. The 49 has a spacer bracket from the outer frame rail that the box mounts to. The 52 had a different corner stiffener than the earlier styly that that box mounts to. Are these two boxes interchangable if I use the 52 box w the 49 bracket will that work? If neither or those work, are the internals (sector shaft, steering shaft, bushings, etc) the same? I'm thinking I may end up swapping just the guts into my old housing. Mike

[austinsailor]

I believe the 48 to 53, 1/2 to 1 ton, dodge and fargo are interchangeable.

I have a 48 dodge half ton, 49 3/4 ton, 53 1/2 ton and a 51 fargo 1 ton. I've swapped several around and all appear to be the same. As you've mentioned, some mounting brackets are different, but the boxes all seem to be the same.

From what I've disassembled, internals seem the same, but I'm not as sure of them. Sort of like transmissions, most will interchange, but internals are not all the same.

[MBF]

Sailor-thanks. I'm going to clean up and prep the box and column and get it ready to install.

[HanksB3B]

The first thread has some information. Post #9 has gaskets and shims you can print out if it helps.

http://www430.pair.com/p15d24/mopar_forum/showthread.php?t=21335&highlight=steering

http://www430.pair.com/p15d24/mopar_forum/showthread.php?t=22463

http://www430.pair.com/p15d24/mopar_forum/showthread.php?t=21029

Hank

Edited August 14, 2011 by HanksB3B

[MBF]

Thanks Hank-I read through all the posts you listed. How much more difficult is it to remove the steering box with the wheel attached? The one I removed from the parts truck was easy because I cut out what was left of the rotted floor with a heat wrench. Can it be done by removing the 2 bolt in floor pieces w/o removing the wheel? I don't have the type of puller right now to remove the original 3 spoke std wheel. The column I'm putting in had the wheel removed, and I did the V spoked wheel over a few years ago. I'm eventually planning on putting my standard wheel on the replacement column after I get that fixed and painted. Thanks - Mike

[austinsailor]

Yes, if you get the floor pieces out you can remove the box. Pull the pitman arm off the shaft and it'll come out. Maybe with it on, but then you'd have to remove the tie rod end.

I've taken 2 out recently with the wheel on.