Here is what I have found so far:
The 82-85 box seems like the most direct fit. This could go back as far as 79 and
sporadic use up to 87. I have had conflicting info. They are very easy to tell from the
IFS steering boxes, which are almost 2 feet long. It is close to the same size, and the
same orientation - Doesn't mount upside down or on its side.
It is a bit pricey over the counter.
This is what I had heard was a major stumbling block.
Today I discovered this!
- flat-pitman-225.jpg (5.57 KiB) Viewed 3102 times
that were converting there later 86 and newer IFS trucks
to solid axles and cross steer systems. The newer IFS boxes
use the same spline setup as the older boxes, and it doesn't
have a key spline. So it can be clocked at any position you need.
It is about $70, and is 6" from center to center. I measured the
pitman on my w200 and it was about 5 3/4" center to center,
so this should work! It is setup for the heavier Fj80 tie rod ends.
So a piece of threaded tube, a tie rod end and heim joint should
do the trick to tie it into the knuckle. Heck, it might even work
with a Dodge tie rod end?
The Mid 50's Ford truck use a steering gear setup like ours,
Mid Fifty F-100 Parts offers a kit to make the Toyota box work with
their trucks. Looking at the diagrams, building a bracket should be
a snap. If you were willing to redrill the mounting holes on the frame,
their bracket might even work on our trucks.
