Turn radius

[HomerJ]

A couple of years ago, I upgraded my front brakes to disc. At the same time, I replaced my factory power-assisted steering with a more modern power steering gearbox. The internal stops in the gearbox have increased the turn radius by a huge amount. Is there a factory gearbox that doesn't have the internal stops or that are more forgiving than what I'm currently using (from a 71, I was told)? A lot of folks on Chevelles.com put gearboxes from mid-90's Grand Cherokee's on their cars. Would this box bolt up to our trucks? Is it stout enough to stand up to the increased weight (if that even matters)?

HomerJ

[67mater]

I would like to know this too

[Luvlegs]

Only thing I can speak to is that the car boxes are inside the frames and the trucks are outside so I don't think they will work.

[extd56]

You can buy a quicker box as I have seen them at the swap meets. You can also use a box out of the 73-87 Chevy trucks too. I believe the mid 80's boxes had a better turning radius.

[crazy longhorn]

I have 3 1/4 turns lock to lock on an 84 burb box installed on my longhorn. IIRC, you need the pitman from the donor truck also. The hose fittings are metric(O ring style), but you just use the lines/hoses,& the nut (fitting) from the later truck/burb & it all fits. They call the box a Variable ratio, & it works pretty slick.....much better than the old box crazyL

[Mondo]

Man, wish I would of known that sooner....
I just put one of the quick ratio boxes on and it works real well around town but it's a little more sensitive than I like at freeway speeds (doesn't take much to change lanes). Which sounds like they resolved with the later "variable ratio" box.

[HomerJ]

Originally Posted by Luvlegs

Only thing I can speak to is that the car boxes are inside the frames and the trucks are outside so I don't think they will work.

Funny I never noticed that.....

Originally Posted by crazy longhorn

I have 3 1/4 turns lock to lock on an 84 burb box installed on my longhorn. IIRC, you need the pitman from the donor truck also. The hose fittings are metric(O ring style), but you just use the lines/hoses,& the nut (fitting) from the later truck/burb & it all fits. They call the box a Variable ratio, & it works pretty slick.....much better than the old box crazyL

crazyL, thanks for the info. Sounds like it's time to go shopping....

Thanks to all for the replies.

HomerJ

[wibilly]

73-78 or 79 use the same fittings as our trucksafter that the hose e3nds changed but can easily be adapted

[TimE]

Which years have the variable ratio box? Was it just offered in the suburbans? Was it standard for certain year models or was it optional? Just want to know exactly what I need to be looking for .
Thanks,
Tim

[68gmsee]

It'd be great if the gearbox off the Trailblazers worked on our trucks. Shortest turning radius of any full size vehicle I've owned....

[cdowns]

geometry of aframes and spindle will limit the affect any steering box has on turning radius

[crazy longhorn]

Originally Posted by cdowns

geometry of aframes and spindle will limit the affect any steering box has on turning radius

Yes, the 67-70 lower a arms, with the later spindle can cause a problem ,due to the way the stops are setup on the a arms. it sure wouldnt hurt to have someone turn the wheel lock to lock & see if you are hittin the stops on the lower a arms. I have 71 lower arms, with 75 spindles on my 69, & it works out good, for as long as the truck is its turning radius is pretty good. The nice thing about the variable ratio box , is that it starts out around 17 to 1 (IIRC), & the more you turn the wheel, the faster the ratio gets. Its not "twitchey" @ high speeds, & you dont have to "paw" the chit out of the wheel on the hard corners. I am not sure what all was optioned with the box, I just got lucky on an old junker that i hauled in. crazyl