I have the 427 out of my 57 and would really like, just a bit more room on the drivers side, so I'm thinking of doing the 58 steering box swap.
Has anyone here, done it, and was it worth the effort, for an extra 1/2 inch of space?
Also, does anyone happen to have a 58 box and pitman arm they'd be willing to part with? :003:
I put a 59 box in mine a few years ago and it's been one of better upgrades I've done to it. Mine still has the yblock in it. I wasn't looking for more room, just a car that steers better. Only problem I ran into was the steering column mast was about an inch too long which a little cutting cured. Plus there's the horn wire problem I haven't addressed yet but one of theses days..........
I converted mine to a 62 box last year and it wasn't a whole lot better. Rodes Restoration told me I should have used the 59 box. I recently started the power steering conversion using the Borgeson gear and pump and that is working out pretty well so far. I tried using another company with a truck box and it wouldn't fit. Clearance wise I don't really know how much you will gain using the 58 box. Any thing is better than the original 57 box. I mounted a horn button top left on the dash and that is easy to reach.
Are 58 and 59 the same box?
I think that they are the same but I'm waiting for an answer from the experts.
Has anyone figured out how to get the 57 horn button to work on the 58-59 steering column?
Hiball Jim how did you set your horn button up?
Quote from: Ecode70D on 2016-04-10 14:41
I think that they are the same but I'm waiting for an answer from the experts.
Has anyone figured out how to get the 57 horn button to work on the 58-59 steering column?
Hiball Jim how did you set your horn button up?
I haven't, it still on the list :003:
Quote from: hiball3985 on 2016-04-10 15:15
I haven't, it still on the list :003:
Jim
Hurry up and figure it out so I can install a 59 box and still be able to use my horn button on the 57 steering column , but don't make it too confusing .HAHA
Use the wheel from the 58 or 59, the 58/59 cover and turn signal part, find the horn wire in the bundle in the new column, run a wire from the bundle to the wire that was attached to the old wire coming out of the 57 shaft and you should have horn. Both the 57 and 58/59 horn rings put ground on the wire to close the horn relay.
Here is an old post with pictures and part numbers that let you use a solid shaft steering box and keep a stock horn ring or button/steering wheel. I spent a great deal of effort researching and finding parts... The turn signal action is much better than stock.
http://57fordsforever.com/smf/index.php?topic=5456.0
Jay, I was going to suggest reading Lynn's post but he beat me to it..
Still looking for a later steering box. Not to concerned about the horn. I can figure that out later.
Would like to get a box in the car before I put the engine back in.
Anyone?
Thanks
I would give a call to Rodes Restoration in Galion Ohio. He specializes in the older Ford steering boxes and can give some dimensions of the boxes etc. He probably has some 59 boxes in stock. He is really fair, as he sent me another box when I wasn't satisfied with the 62 box. It is Roger at 419 468 5182.
Lynn
Thanks for posting that information. Fortunately I have most everything that I need. My car has the custom wheel and the small horn button without the ring which I really like and would have to do some serious thinking about altering them. I know that I can solve the problem by using everything from the 59, but then will have the wrong steering wheel. Decisions Decisions decisions .
Actually the '57 and '59 Custom steering wheels are identical except for the spring loaded contact/ bushing and the hole for it. I have the '59 Custom wheel and the small horn button on my car.
Lynn
That's the look I like. I just restored my 57 custom wheel. I'm probably going to have to start looking for a 59 custom wheel now.
It is easy to convert your '57 Wheel to a '59. Just get a black plastic sleeve(I have made them when missing) off a '59 wheel and drill a hole in the '57 wheel patterned of the '59 wheel. Use the turn signal canceller off the '59 as well. Convert the horn ring parts from a '59, most of which are available reproduction) to the '57 Horn ring.
I feel that you should always try to score an entire '58/'59 column and box when building a '57.
You need a '58/59 column when using the new Borgeson box to have a working horn.
I have converted the new reproduction smaller '57 T-Bird replica steering wheel to '59 specs as well. They work well with rack and pinion conversions.
I have converted a '57 column to '59 specs using almost all reproduction parts as well. The '59 turn signal mechanism will fit in a '57 with the correct holes added.
Thanks Pat
That's a lot of needed and valuable information. So now the search is on for a 58-59 steering wheel and horn button so I can switch the parts to my 57. Hopefully I have them already in my junk supply. .
Jay
Pat
I needed a 59 standard shift steering column and am getting the one on eBay that Lynn posted as available. I'm getting closer to having all the parts to do the swap to a 59 box. Most likely it will be a winter project because it's almost time to take the car out for this coming summer. Jay