quick ratio steering box ( which to buy )

[BCOWANWHEELS]

could someone tell me which steering box is used on a 1971, c10, 2 wd when you want to go to a quick ratio steering ( less turns lock to lock )
thanks in advance guys
bob in tn.

[C10-Driver]

Here is what happened in my search for a quick ratio steering box...

Read the article in Classic trucks magazine about replacing the stock steering box with a quick ratio - OK - Gotta have one. Mine was sloppy anyway so I figured if I was going to replace it, I may as well get the quick ratio box.

Went to the local parts store to ask the guys about quick ratio boxes. Their parts catalogs don't really list things like 3 to 3.5 turns lock to lock. Just for the heck of it they pulled a rebuilt box listed for my 1970 Chev truck. We marked it, rolled it over from lock to lock and what to you know it is 3.25 turns. Maybe some suppliers are just building all these boxes with a quicker ratio now???

It might be worth pulling a "stock" replacement from the parts store and checking it out.

[badpeanut]

I paid $200 for a parts store remanufactured box. It was only tight for about six months of use. Now it is as bad as the original. Would it be better to spend the extra and get new?

[C10-Driver]

Originally Posted by badpeanut

I paid $200 for a parts store remanufactured box. It was only tight for about six months of use. Now it is as bad as the original. Would it be better to spend the extra and get new?

Good question. Anybody who has any info on this, it would be greatly appreciated. I would think that the quality of the box depends on who rebuilds it. Theoretically, if it is done properly, it should be as good as new. People rebuild engines everyday. If the rebuilder cheaps out, the engine will obviously not last as long but if it is done properly it has a good chance of outlasting a "new" one.

[piecesparts]

Look at CPP Classic Performance Products web site and see what you think of their boxes.

[C10-Driver]

Originally Posted by piecesparts

Look at CPP Classic Performance Products web site and see what you think of their boxes.

I probably would have bought one of the CPP boxes but I am in Canada and the shipping and brokerage fees are a killer. In the article from Classic Trucks magazine, they install one of the CPP boxes so they must be good.

[piecesparts]

I have an article from "Truckin", where they do a complete 68 truck front suspension with the CPP tubular suspension and an 87 Chevy cross member. IT is my plan to do my 68 the dame way. I alredy have the cross member installed and now the steering box and tubular A frames are needed.

[roger0080]

I bought a NAPA rebuilt power steering gear box. in the last few years.
If I ever do this again, I would buy a brand NEW one. No rebuilts. The new one was still sloppy. Pissed me off. Waste of money.

[Chevy4Life]

In my search I found there is no "quick ratio" (12to1 or 13to1) boxes made for these trucks. I contacted agr and ece and found there "quick ratio" boxes were actually 13-18 variable ratio boxes. These are available in SOME of the later year trucks (76-87??? just a guess). I contacted a couple custom box builders and was told the quickest they could do is a 16to1. I went with the variable/quick ratio box from CPP because I'd rather have 13to1 at low speeds than 16to1 all the time. I have only driven the truck a few times and I'm happy with it. If did this again I'd find a variable ratio box at the junkyard before paying $300. I'll count Lock to Lock tomorrow.

This is just what I found when doing my research. If anyone does know of a TRUE quick ratio box for these trucks I'd love to hear about it.

Jay

[badpeanut]

Originally Posted by roger0080

I bought a NAPA rebuilt power steering gear box. in the last few years.
If I ever do this again, I would buy a brand NEW one. No rebuilts. The new one was still sloppy. Pissed me off. Waste of money.

My remanufactured box was from O'Reilly/Bumper to Bumper. Also a waste of money.

[al's71gmc]

I got mine from Wes at classic heartbeat. It's a variable assist from later model trucks. He has a guy retro fit them (the yoke needs to be changed)for direct bolt up to 67-72s. $250 plus core. I thinks it's about 3.25 turns stop to stop IIRC.

[piecesparts]

The truck "Copperhead", built by Stacey David, had a quick ratio steering box in it. He discussed the change in the segments on the truck. The unit came from CPP or Early Classic Enterprises. I used to have that information on file, but I can't find it right now.

[kbs71]

If you want a really quick ratio you will need to buy a steering quickener. they use them mostly on midget racers see this link http://www.speedwaymotors.com/m/177_...Pump-Tank.html they cast @ $150.00 and are 2 to 1, or 1.5 to 1.

[Brad]

I just wanted to dispute the claims...3-1/4 turns lock to lock is a quick ratio compared to the original box. Mines from a 1977 1T quad cab and turns on a dime.

[Chevy4Life]

Originally Posted by Brad

I just wanted to dispute the claims...3-1/4 turns lock to lock is a quick ratio compared to the original box. Mines from a 1977 1T quad cab and turns on a dime.

It's a quicker ratio box than stock, agreed! But it is not as quick as the 2.5 lock to lock boxes made for chevelles and camaros. At highway speeds the box is NOT quick ratio it's closer to 18to1.

[Brad]

Originally Posted by Chevy4Life

At highway speeds the box is NOT quick ratio it's closer to 18to1.

EDIT: I had a long paragraph written, but I just realized you were probably referring to the Camaro box with this statement and that it reverts back to 'slow' ratio at highway speeds.

I do want to impress upon readers that the quick ratio truck box is very sensitive and responsive. Some would say too much especially in a SWB, while others including myself like the responsiveness.

[sjarrett71]

I recently replaced the steering box on mine with a reman unit. Besides fixing the very bad leaks it didn't give me quicker ratio or anything. I was hoping to at least get a little bit stiffer steering but I didn't. At least I got the leak fixed though. I wish there was a way someone could fab up something to mount a mid 70's trans am box, I had one of those cars years ago and it had awesome steering.

[dingo_dan_22]

My uncle has a trans-am box. He must have fabbed up a new bracket and changed the rag joint. I could ask him some questions and maybe get some pics. His truck is a 72' gmc and he did it about 12 yrs ago.

[sjarrett71]

Dingo dan, that would be great. I think we all want that kind of steering but it's just hard with an old truck that wasn't originally built to be anything other than for work.

[1972ChevyCheyenne]

When you guys talk about a reman steering box being sloppy where do you find this slop. Is it at when the wheels are straigh? If have you adjusted the high point in the box it self?

[Already Gone]

About 20 years ago I restored a 70 Dodge Charger ( Panther Pink of course) and at that time was buying and selling old cop cars. These old Chrysler Muscle Cars had "no feel" power steering and I hated that. I took the quick ratio steering box from a early 80's Dodge Diplomat Cop Car and it bolted right up to the Chargers steering and the car steered and handled super with the quick ratio box installed.
I bought a new 74 Dodge pickup without power steering that I converted to power steering when it only had 10,000 or so miles on it.. One day I was at a gas station and a guy with a 67-72 Chevy Short box 4x4 needed a steering box and I thought the one on the Chevy looked like the one I took off my Dodge. I went and got my old box ( I remember it was a Saginaw Steering Box ) and it bolted up to the Chevy.. My point here is that GM is the king of interchange and GM also built zillions of cop cars in the 70's and 80's and right up till 96 with the LT1's.. There are lots of old cop cars in the junk yards and I'm sure a quick ratio box from an old cop car would probably work on our trucks. You'd probably be able to buy them for 25.00 from a wrecker and even if you spent a 100.00 getting it rebuilt that wouldn't be a bad investment

[Hutch]

http://www.powersteering.com/

[Tim Christian]

I had a CCP quick ratio on my truck. It blowed out!!! A waste of money!

[hoovers71]

Hey Al's 71,

how did the power steering box hold up from Wes??? I am considering one.

thanks

[JointTech]

wow the thread from the dead. I just got a reman A1 cardone from oreillys listed for a 72 C20 w/power steering. its 3.5 lock to lock.