Steering gear box choices

[Gerald Morris]

The standard output shaft measures 1 1/4". What you've shown us shows 1 1/8." You'll need to replace the pitman arm also. Do you ALREADY HAVE this smaller unit? If so, and the $ is spent, yes, it might be worth the trouble, though just MIGHT. It takes some cojones to steer these heavy machines. I know they used the gearbox for C bodies for LOTS of other stuff, with all but the Imperials being lighter, but IDK of anything smaller being much good with a C body, truck or Imperial.

If you haven't spent on it yet, then don't. Too problematic.

 

[Rustyrodknocker]

I would like to have the space that the small unit provides. If it performed well I could deal with a shorter lifecycle I don't think it could be much worse than the factory one. If I go with a factory style I would send it up to Red Head.
They do the custom sizing of ball bearings which is what I have read it takes to do these boxes correctly. I have read that they weren't all created equal.this one and my old Tornado are horrible. I had some clapped out trucks that were not near as bad.

It would be tempting to get the $208 Autozone one but I've been down that road several times on one rig.
I took 3 to get one.

 

[Gerald Morris]

....I have read that they weren't all created equal.this one and my old Tornado are horrible. I had some clapped out trucks that were not near as bad.

It would be tempting to get the $208 Autozone one but I've been down that road several times on one rig.
I took 3 to get one.

VatoZone sux, no questioning that. I did a similar boogie w alternators, before going to PowerMasturbator. They've done OK, and I keep their 1st one as a reserve for Just in Case. (double groove pulley and whiny bearing.... but still works well enough)

Well, if you don't want to shoot craps, spend the extra $ then. I understand, and sympathize. I have much better luck now than many folk, but that comes of making some preconditions for it.

 

[edbods]

I wonder, how do modern steering boxes from the factory (not the aftermarket offerings like Firm Feel, Borgeson etc. that we like to upgrade to here) compare to the steering boxes from 60s passenger cars? Do they still have problems with center numbness/slop/play, lack of feel etc. etc.
Mind you, when I think of modern steering boxes I'm thinking of things like from 2020+ toyota land cruisers, dodge and chevy pickups etc. don't think there's been any passenger cars that used a steering box since 2000.

 

[Rustyrodknocker]

I wonder, how do modern steering boxes from the factory (not the aftermarket offerings like Firm Feel, Borgeson etc. that we like to upgrade to here) compare to the steering boxes from 60s passenger cars? Do they still have problems with center numbness/slop/play, lack of feel etc. etc.
Mind you, when I think of modern steering boxes I'm thinking of things like from 2020+ toyota land cruisers, dodge and chevy pickups etc. don't think there's been any passenger cars that used a steering box since 2000.

Much of them are rack and pinion also.

 

[edbods]

Well I see that Dodge Rams still use a steering box, right up to last year (unsure about 2025 models). Although that might not be a good comparison because truck steering boxes would likely be different to car steering boxes. or maybe they might be closer to our C body boxes than I think...

 

[Gerald Morris]

Well I see that Dodge Rams still use a steering box, right up to last year (unsure about 2025 models). Although that might not be a good comparison because truck steering boxes would likely be different to car steering boxes. or maybe they might be closer to our C body boxes than I think...

IDK, I saw that our C-body boxes were used for a wide variety of vehicles, up through the late 1980s anyway. I suspect any modern truck steering gearbox would have fairly similar ratios, given the weight of the front ends they must turn.

 

[Rustyrodknocker]

I think chevy 2500hd is rack and pinion.

I had 66gmc 1/2 ton and 68 3/4 both manual box. Still have 66 it was easy and natural to steer. The 3/4 was a handful. But it turned fast

 

[Gerald Morris]

I think chevy 2500hd is rack and pinion.

I had 66gmc 1/2 ton and 68 3/4 both manual box. Still have 66 it was easy and natural to steer. The 3/4 was a handful. But it turned fast

Right on. I drive an '83 D150, manual w a box. It steers easy enough when moving, and not so when stopped, as manual boxes with big tires go. Once I wear this rubber out, I'm reducing tire size back to factory from the 235/75s up front. It came with 4 obscenely huge General Tires meant for mud or snow. I'll use them up. For a heavy, large vehicle, I'm not sure a rack is the way to go. Yes, they're simple, but sometimes its better to have the extra reduction of the worm gear and perpetual balls. Of course, none of the powered stuff is worth **** when that pump or a line goes out.