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Steering Box Bolts??

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Bruno2

Steering Box Bolts??

Do we have any documentation as far as what diameter and length the bolts are that hold the steering box to the frame? Also, are there nylon lockers for nuts or just lock washers?

Whitey: 1996 F 250 XL CCLB 4X4 7.3 DI ZF5 (The Work Horse) Lots of power mods
Whitey Jr: AKA Jr 1982 F 150 CCLB 4X4 351W C6 (Jr Work Horse) respectable power, but not over the top
The Bronco: 1987 Bronco XLT 351W C6 (needs work) Lots of off road mods and plenty of power mods
The Dodge: 2006 Ram 2500 CCSB 4X4 5.9 HO Cummins (The reliable ride that cant keep an AC in itself) (5th AC go around almost complete)

Gary Lewis

Re: Steering Box Bolts??

Administrator

No, but we will..........

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

Gary Lewis

Re: Steering Box Bolts??

Administrator

Just for you, Brandon, we have a new illustration and associated part numbers. See Suspension & Steering/Steering/Steering Gear Box.

But, to answer your question, you need three 7/16"-14 x 5 15/64" bolts and three 15/32" I.D. x 1" O.D. x 3/16" thick washers.

So, let me ask: How many Facebook groups or other forums can, much less will, do that?

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Rembrant

Re: Steering Box Bolts??

In reply to this post by Bruno2

Bruno2 wrote

Do we have any documentation as far as what diameter and length the bolts are that hold the steering box to the frame? Also, are there nylon lockers for nuts or just lock washers?

There are no nuts, the bolts thread into the steering box itself.

Just to add to the info Gary posted above, a few months ago I tried to order qty 3 of these bolts from Ford and they are of course long obsolete. If you buy new bolts at a fastener supply shop, they will only come in half inch increments, and since you would likely end up with a slightly longer bolt than the originals, check to make sure you don't run out of threads outside the frame rail. Does that make sense? If I remember correctly, I ended up with 5.5" bolts, and added an extra washer to make sure the box was fully tightened before running out of threads. YMMV.

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

Bruno2

Re: Steering Box Bolts??

In reply to this post by Gary Lewis

Thanks guys!!
I need to get to cracking on where I can obtain these. I will probably have to use the 5-1/2" style.

Bruno2

Re: Steering Box Bolts??

There two different lengths on this page? Ryan at Blue Top says this gearbox was used in everything Ford from 80-96. These are actually for my 96 F-250. So.... are the bolts different?

Gary Lewis

Re: Steering Box Bolts??

Administrator

Brandon - The bolts for a van are a different length from those for a pickup. (Guess I shouldn't have included the van stuff.) But I don't have a catalog for the '96 stuff, so I don't know if that takes a different length or not. I should have the bolts and washers out of Huck if you want them.

Rembrant - Very good point!

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Rembrant

Re: Steering Box Bolts??

In reply to this post by Bruno2

Bruno2 wrote

There two different lengths on this page? Ryan at Blue Top says this gearbox was used in everything Ford from 80-96. These are actually for my 96 F-250. So.... are the bolts different?

Looks like the shorter bolts are for the vans? Unless I'm misreading the parts list.

Gary Lewis

Re: Steering Box Bolts??

Administrator

Yes, but I changed the page to only include the pickup stuff.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

AmericanSavage

Re: Steering Box Bolts??

Just thought I would chime in here. A BAD cold/cough wayliad me for a week. So, I am finally at the point of ordering the gear box.

I am going to order new bolts too. LMC states they have 7/16-14 x5 ¼ bolts for the box. Washers are extra. Expensive.

Most people can easily find the 5 ½ bolts online or maybe at a hardware store. But it is rather difficult to do so. Search for 5.25 on length and you will find some grade 8s for relatively more affordable price than even LMC.

1980 Ford XLT F350
400 Engine (rebuilt to 406)
Holley 2300 500 CFM manual Choke Carb
Under Restore (1st time)