No comment on the overall project...

But for the steering, I have used the gear box from a 78 GMC 6500 on a project, and found it to be very adaptable for the sort of truck you are working on.
Proabably use the pitman arm that is on it. The ford pump may work, but the one from the GMC truck that the gear box comes from would be better, a stronger pump, more flow, and you get rid of that terrible ford PS pump whine.

There are pictures of the gear box I am talking about on my link below, in the 61 ford 6V53 Detroit album.

Grigg

•1951 GMC 250 in the Project Journals
•1948 Chevrolet 6400 - Detroit Diesel 4-53T - Roadranger 10 speed overdrive - 4 wheel disc brakes
•1952 Chevrolet 3800 pickup
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"First, get a clear notion of what you desire to accomplish, and then in all probability you will succeed in doing it..." -Henry Maudslay-