1936 steering column upgrade
 

How late of a year steering column is best and still "easy" to put into a 36 Ford?

Re: 1936 steering column upgrade
 

I put a 37 unit in mine. I had to redrill steering shaft location for the ignition lock to work. There is a tutorial I found online that I may still have the link to if you can't find it. Works WAY better than the stock unit. The hardest part was drilling out the rivets for the 36 steering mount. Drake has a replacement 37 and up bracket that you will have to use.

Re: 1936 steering column upgrade
 

install a 36 column.

Re: 1936 steering column upgrade
 

I have '40 steering gear in my '36, which is the same size, length as a '37-40. I used a '40 column because I have a column shift trans, only alteration was to re-position the column drop by about 1/2" which required re-drilling the lock hole in the column.
If you are replacing the steering gear do as 'jondee1' suggested.. Any '37-39 column jacket will work if you want to keep the headlight switch on the steering wheel.
I upgraded my lights to a pull switch on the dash and a floor mounted dimmer switch.

Re: 1936 steering column upgrade
 

If you still have the link to that tutorial, I would appreciate if you send the link along to me, I hear removing the old 36 steering box mount is a bear. Any suggestions?

Thanks

Re: 1936 steering column upgrade
 

aandkt, YOU are in luck! I still had the tutorial

http://www.goldengatev8.org/tips/Ste...ngGearSwap.htm

My only suggestion for the bracket removal is sharp drill bits, perhaps a small zip wheel set up or judicious use of a cutting torch , or all of the above. It wasn't the easiest place to get to and I didn't want to dick up any surrounding areas with aggressive demolition techniques. It'll turn loose but not without a fight.

Re: 1936 steering column upgrade
 

I changed the steering gear assembly and frame mount with the engine in the car. The large rivets that secure the mount to the frame are very difficult to get to, I used a small cutting torch to burn off the heads, any damage to the original mount is unimportant because it is going to be discarded. I used 5/16" grade 8 bolts to secure the '40 bracket to the frame. Put a few spot welds on the mount for insurance.

I used a '40 pitman arm #21-A 3590-3 015, the '36 pitman hung down to low. No modifications to the steering drag links, etc., were required.
The '37-40 steering gear assembly makes a '36 very user friendly, especially when parallel parking. :cool:

Re: 1936 steering column upgrade
 

37-39 if you want to use the light rod .you can adpt. the 36 column it,s ez .the hole in the 40 shaft is to small for the light rod. no mod needed to steering linkage use the 36 pitman arm