How to Make Cowl Steering From A Ford F1 Pickup Steering Box- Ford Free-T - Ep. 16

In this video we show how to take a 1948-1952 Ford Pickup Steering box and convert it to cowl steering in a Ford Model T Roadster. This video we show the basic fabrication process to get it hanging in the car. Please check out part 2 where we finish up the custom steering set up. Thanks for watching! Be sure to like and subscribe to keep track of all of our builds and adventures.
- Tools Used -
- Eastwood Mini Metal Saw - www.eastwood.com/eastwood-min...
- Milwaukee M18 Cordless Grinder
- Eastwood Hole Saw Kit- www.eastwood.com/eastwood-7-p...
- Eastwood TIG 200 Digital Welder- www.eastwood.com/tig200dc.htm...

[@lasseg5964]

The very first video I saw was when you were doing the cowl steering on the free T - after that I had to see all the previous parts. I have since then followed every episode. As dinner is cleared from the table, I put my earphones on and sense the smell of grinding disksjust like being with you in the hangar. - So, the favorite episode has to be the making of the cowl steering ..

[@BoxcarsGarage]

Note to self.... add F-1 steering box to scrounge list...got it! Good job fellas!

[@IronTrapGarage]

Heck yea! They are like putting power steering on a Model A or other pre-war early Fords! Less slop and less turns lock to lock. The later 53+ F100 boxes work well too, they just are slightly bigger and have a square hole pitman arm like a Model A instead of splined like the 32+ boxes. -Matt/ITG

[@ndart85]

Great video again, love how this project is coming along. Would love to see more videos of you guys going hunting for parts or going to swap meets etc

[@IronTrapGarage]

Thanks for watching! We are planning some more videos of digging for parts this summer. The weather here in PA should break soon and we can start documenting some of our adventures in rusty junk! -Matt/ITG

[@TrailBusterBrute1]

You guys get real popular and the price of F-1 steering boxes may go crazy. I've been waiting for this project!

[@IronTrapGarage]

Haha I doubt that will happen! They already are expensive and hard to get since they're the preferred steering box to swap into a Model A for better steering! I grab any I can get for cheap or at a junkyard! -Matt/ITG

[@41plymouthnut87]

Great work as usual !!!!

[@IronTrapGarage]

Thanks Harold!

[@TheDavidcrockett]

Love to see a junk yard IFS on a model A how to. Great videos

[@IronTrapGarage]

Thanks for watching we'll keep that in mind for a future project or if we find a local guy that wants it done we can share the process!

[@IowaMercMan]

Good progress on this cool little hot rod. When you start figuring out the pitman and drag link, it will help some of us to understand the process of figuring out geometry: to avoid death wobble or bump steer, etc.

[@IronTrapGarage]

Thank you for watching. The next video we make those parts and it is being edited now. We will do a video here soon where we will make front wishbone mounts and set the caster and we will go over hot rod steering/suspension geometry. -Matt/ITG

[@IowaMercMan]

IronTrap Garage - I had the chance last week to visit Okie Joe Costa, and watch him drop my axle, drill it, and correct some camber issues. Pretty cool guy and he answered all my questions. He sets up the camber using your spindles and mine were off quite a bit. Was a cool road trip. Lots to learn from guys like Okie Joe.

[@IronTrapGarage]

Heck yea that's an amazing opportunity!

[@rustedratchetgarage6788]

Going a step further and using a whole 66 f100 of left over parts to build a T twin ibeam 352 fmx 9in steering everything reusable going quarter elliptical with the rear springs cut in half and used front and rear and maybe a leaf pulled or added where needed should be cool if i ever get it rolling but the 66 is gonna roll first

[@RedBullMan7]

Matt & Mike, awesome job guys! What year of F1 pick up did you get the steering box from?

[@IronTrapGarage]

Hey Brett, 1948-52 F1 Box. The box we got was originally cut down for some project that was never finished. Perfect for a little hot rod build like the Free T -Mike/ITG

[@RatsnestHotrods]

Dude are you not doing the Eastwood videos anymore? Just found your channel and subbed!

[@IronTrapGarage]

Hey! I'm certainly doing Eastwood videos still! I just have so much going on in my own shop I decided to document some of my builds and adventures on a separate channel for fun. I'm having fun either way! Thanks so much for the sub! -Matt/EW

[@RatsnestHotrods]

Right on! This channel is great!

[@vncemassa9305]

what are some other steering boxes can you use to do this style of steering.

[@IronTrapGarage]

You can actually buy steering boxes made specifically for cowl steering. Really any side-steer steering box will work if you have the tools and ability to come up with a strong design. Getting the steering box to be securely mounted in the body is the one big hurdle. Thanks for watching. -Matt/ITG

[@vncemassa9305]

what size sheet metal are you using for the steering box brace 1/4,3/8 steel plate? between the cowl side an steering box mounted to .it also attaches to the frame i guess. its the one you welded in between the door pillar an fire wall. thanks again vince

[@farnorthhomested844]

how much play in that old box?

[@IronTrapGarage]

Little to none, that’s why we chose it for the Free-T!!! Thanks for watching!! -Mike/ITG

[@vncemassa9305]

can you send picture of bracing an also size of tubing,also thicknes thanks vince. pic's of both sides if you did both sides. thank"s again.

[@vncemassa9305]

love watching you both. this is my last rod to build, i'am 76 yrs. old,hope i finish it,crossing my fingers!!! thanks again.

[@IronTrapGarage]

Thanks for following along! We'll try and get you some photos once the car is painted and going back together. -Matt/ITG

[@michaelcookeiii4552]

To hard for me. Want to put f100 on my rpu and get rid of stock box and column. Get job as always mike and matt

[@IronTrapGarage]

Hopefully we made the project seem a little easier. If you have any questions please send us a message! Thanks for watching!! -Mike/ITG