Bullnose Enthusiasts Forum

Lower Steering Shaft Needed

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Gary Lewis

Lower Steering Shaft Needed

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Folks - We have talked about this many times about the lower steering shaft. But for whatever reason I've not gotten that info documented. And now I need one but don't really want to spend a lot of money.

So let's talk about them again. I've pulled the info from the MPC and I'll put it in here and then, as we get this sorted, put it on the documentation side.

And it looks like I need E8TZ 3B676-A, which is the later, upgraded version that doesn't have the rubber boot. But most of what I'm finding in my searches say "discontinued part". And people that say they have them want lots of money for them. Do any of y'all know of a source?

I don't need it immediately, although I'd take it ASAP. However, I can put the one out of Dad's truck in to get the lines and hoses run properly while waiting for one to ship.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

old55pete

Re: Lower Steering Shaft Needed

There was one in an 84 F250 at U-Pick it and it looked fairly new/ fresh paint. If I get a chance tomorrow and drag it out if it is in fact new....er

Steve
86 Bronco, XLT, 5.0 EFI, EEC IV, AOD, IFS, limited slip front and rear, 3.08 gears, Tilt steering, factory AC

Rusty_S85

Re: Lower Steering Shaft Needed

In reply to this post by Gary Lewis

I got the part number for my '82 saved on ebay just waiting for a hit.

One we got for the 5.0 coyote swap '82 I did at work, we got it from a local junkyard, had lots of rust in the collapsible section had to clean it out to get it to slide some what freely to get it painted and then installed.

Mine is just the boot a little messed up but I thought about getting the replacement style shaft like LMC sells but not going to pay $400+ for a lower steering shaft that has no rubber rag joint that will have you feel ever bump in the road.

"Old Blue" - '56 Fairlane Town Sedan - 292-4V, Ford-O-Matic transmission, 3.22:1
'63 Belair 2dr sdn - 283-4V, Powerglide transmission, 4.56:1
'78 Cougar XR7 - 351-2V, FMX transmission, 2.75:1 9inch
"Bruno" - '82 F150 Flareside - 302-2V, C6 transmission, 2.75:1 9inch, 31x10.50-15 BFG KO2

ArdWrknTrk

Re: Lower Steering Shaft Needed

Administrator

In reply to this post by Gary Lewis

Gary, I've got to ask about that E8 number, as the bricknose trucks have a riveted rag joint so I don't see a way the later part doesn't go all the way to the steering box.

I'd like to be wrong...

Jim,
Lil'Red is a '87 F250 HD, 4.10's, 1356 4x4, Zf-5, 3G, PMGR, Saginaw PS, desmogged with a Holley 80508 and Performer intake.
Too much other stuff to mention.

Rembrant

Re: Lower Steering Shaft Needed

The steering shaft I have is from somewhere between 1987 and 1991, but I don't know exactly when...I was just told that it was a Bricknose shaft, and it has an integrated lower "rag" joint that is completely different than the Bullnose lower (traditional) rag joint.

1994 F150 4x2 Flareside. 5.0 w/MAF, 4R70W, stock.
1984 F150 4X2 Flareside. Mild 302 w/ 5spd. Sold.
1980 F150 4X4 Flareside. 300i6 w/ 5spd. Sold in 2021.
1980 F100 4X2 Flareside. 351w/2bbl w/NP435. Sold in 1995

ArdWrknTrk

Re: Lower Steering Shaft Needed

Administrator

Thanks for that Cory!
I feel vindicated.

It will retrofit, as I'm sure you know.

Jim,
Lil'Red is a '87 F250 HD, 4.10's, 1356 4x4, Zf-5, 3G, PMGR, Saginaw PS, desmogged with a Holley 80508 and Performer intake.
Too much other stuff to mention.

Rembrant

Re: Lower Steering Shaft Needed

ArdWrknTrk wrote

Thanks for that Cory!
I feel vindicated.

It will retrofit, as I'm sure you know.

Well, until somebody starts reproducing the 1980-1986 shafts, a used 1987-1991 shaft is the next best thing unless one wants to spend the bucks on a Borgeson aftermarket shaft ($300 bills?).

The Bricknose shaft is superior to the Bullnose shaft imho, so it's a worthy junkyard part upgrade.

The only issue I had with mine is that the slip joint on this Bricknose shaft was sloppy (the flat metal spring inside was broken) so I welded a couple nuts on the tube and used set-screws to snug it back up.

ArdWrknTrk

Re: Lower Steering Shaft Needed

Administrator

I remember you explaining that when you did it.

I'm sure in an impact it will still collapse before it impales you.

Jim,
Lil'Red is a '87 F250 HD, 4.10's, 1356 4x4, Zf-5, 3G, PMGR, Saginaw PS, desmogged with a Holley 80508 and Performer intake.
Too much other stuff to mention.

Gary Lewis

Re: Lower Steering Shaft Needed

Administrator

In reply to this post by old55pete

Steve - Please do!

Rusty - The later ones still have a joint, just not as big.

Jim - I think that's what is meant by "Lower-1982/88 - also replace (12/88) 3524 & 3E715"

Cory - As we've discussed, that's exactly what I need to find, and for a reasonable price.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Rembrant

Re: Lower Steering Shaft Needed

Oddly, there are aftermarket replacements for the 1992-1996/7 trucks, so I'm curious why they don't fit (Maybe they do?). The steering boxes stayed the same throughout, so obviously the difference is at the upper end (if any).

https://www.ebay.com/itm/For-Ford-F-150-F-250-F-350-Bronco-Truck-1992-1998-Lower-Steering-Shaft-425-350/124044865460?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

Somebody would have to grab one of these from a junkyard to see what the difference is in them.

Sooner or later Dorman or similar company will start selling replacement shafts. I believe they are available for 1979 and older, and 1992 and newer, it's just the black hole of 1980-1991 that is currently not covered...

Gary Lewis

Re: Lower Steering Shaft Needed

Administrator

Actually, I think it is a green hole:

But you are right, someone will step in with a reasonably-priced solution, some day. And it would sure be nice if that '92+ one would fit.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

ArdWrknTrk

Re: Lower Steering Shaft Needed

Administrator

But remember those later trucks have a stub steering column, and a U-joint inside the cab.

Jim,
Lil'Red is a '87 F250 HD, 4.10's, 1356 4x4, Zf-5, 3G, PMGR, Saginaw PS, desmogged with a Holley 80508 and Performer intake.
Too much other stuff to mention.

old55pete

Re: Lower Steering Shaft Needed

In reply to this post by Gary Lewis

Gary, I got up there and all of the parts that I wanted were gone, along with the new looking steering box, shaft and pitman arm. Sorry, I tried.

Steve
86 Bronco, XLT, 5.0 EFI, EEC IV, AOD, IFS, limited slip front and rear, 3.08 gears, Tilt steering, factory AC

Gary Lewis

Re: Lower Steering Shaft Needed

Administrator

Steve - Thanks anyway. You tried.

There's a salvage near me that I'll hit up next week. Maybe they have something.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

BARRYS83F100

Re: Lower Steering Shaft Needed

I am in the same boat mine on my 83 F100 the boot is split so I am also on look out.

old55pete

Re: Lower Steering Shaft Needed

In reply to this post by Gary Lewis

Gary, I was on Jeff's Bronco grave yard looking for pieces for my Bronco and found that have the steering shaft that you are looking for...……………...Albeit, a little spendie. It says it fits 80-92 F100 through F250. The part number is 32855 and the price is 235.00. Just a thought.

Steve
86 Bronco, XLT, 5.0 EFI, EEC IV, AOD, IFS, limited slip front and rear, 3.08 gears, Tilt steering, factory AC

Gary Lewis

Re: Lower Steering Shaft Needed

Administrator

Thanks, Steve. I'll keep that in mind. This one will work for the moment, but I do want to find one of the later ones at some point.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile