reman steering box

[6768chevylover]

Anyone have experience with a remaned 4wd steering box for the k5s? pros and cons..

[SeventyOne]

I got a red head steering box.

Pros - reduced steering ratio (as an option), well made and tried and true steering box. Research red heads, they are well revered.

Cons - cost? none?

[hemi43]

I rebuilt my own at a fraction of the cost. Got the kit from Rockauto. It was real easy to do and it has now worked perfectly for almost 3 years.

[6768chevylover]

Hemi, I was thinking of doing it myself but everyone says its something that can easily be messed up.

[hemi43]

Originally Posted by 6768chevylover

Hemi, I was thinking of doing it myself but everyone says its something that can easily be messed up.

There's nothing to mess up. It's only a few seals and a couple torrington bearings. I'm not sure what kind of shape your current box is in, but the main reason these need rebuilding is because they leak. If you have mechanical damage, then rebuilding is out of the question and it will have to be replaced. Reman stuff is hit and miss, because all they do is reuse salvageable hard parts and install new seals and bearings. The red head boxes have a faster steering ratio, and IMHO that's the last thing I would want on these Blazers. They might be fine on a pickup, but at a short 104" wheelbase, the Blazers/Jimmys are already touchy enough on the steering. I guess it all depends what you want to do with your truck. If you plan to do some off-roading and low speed cruising, the the Red Head box might be perfect. I tend to do high speed driving on long trips, and I like the comfort and safety of the stock ratio especially at 80 mph.

[NJKelly]

I've look into the red hat steering boxes because I read that they drive more like a modern vehicle. The way it is now with a 17 inch wheel I feel like I'm in an old black-and-white movie with the steering wheel going right and left more than anything I drive. I thought the red hat with the t3 1/4 turn versus 4 and 1/2 would make things better but your post makes me believe it might be worse, am I reading that correctly? I plan to drive it at one of the Jersey Shore towns and going maximum 40 miles per hour with lots of pedestrians, bikers Etc and the play in the steering makes me a little nervous so would like to minimize that.

[6768chevylover]

Why is red head gear boxes so much better than reman? besides ratio..

[SeventyOne]

Quality.

Reman stuff can largely be hit or miss.

[DeadheadNM]

I'm just a few weeks away from driving my rebuilt blue blazer and I had Red Head rebuild my original power steering box with a quicker ratio. I'll post back about drive quality once it's up and running. I sure hope the ratio isn't so quick that it's a danger at high speeds particularly as I don't anticipate installing a roll bar. If too squirrelly I'll send it back for a gear swap.

[6768chevylover]

I never had an issue with going left and right in my blazer till a few weeks ago. It would literally throw me into the left lane or almost off the road sometimes. It also wouldn't center itself either. I bought a reman box and plan to install it this weekend. Also noticed that the on drag link bearings was a little loose and plan on doing that too. I wouldn't buy a red head just because Hemi's not the only one I've heard stories about the quick ratio is too much.

[DeadheadNM]

I've also read positive reviews with quick ratios in k5s - Guana has one I believe?

[hemi43]

IMO, if the truck is going side to side, and the original steering box is adjusted properly, then I would be looking at other problems. I've mentioned it before, but adding caster shim blocks and new springs made my Blazer run like it's a 2018 model. I drove about 45 miles yesterday in heavy traffic at a constant 80 MPH (keeping up to traffic)and the truck is very stable with no feedback to the steering wheel when going over rough roads. You need to make sure that the steering arm is perfectly level with the ground. Raising or lowering the truck even an inch WILL affect your drivability. If I didn't have such tall tires (33's) I would not be afraid at all to go over 100 MPH with it. FWIW, I have a total of 6 1/2 degrees of caster and 3/16" toe-in.

[52napco]

I currently have a Red head on my 71 K20 and it sucks..several calls and they keep telling me to loosen the adjustment on top which has not helped.
I'm going to make 1 more call to see if they'll send another one and if not i'll throw it in the scrap pile and get one at Oreiys

[NJKelly]

Do you have a picture of the shims, etc of your fix

[lks dcvn]

I've put redhead in most of my projects - currently my 2wd project (non-driver yet) and a 71 4wd I drive weekly. Never had any issues with the redhead gear - got the quick ratio for both...

[hemi43]

Originally Posted by NJKelly

Do you have a picture of the shims, etc of your fix

I machined my own but don't have any pictures. I did find the picture below off the net which is the same as mine. The Dana 44 has 3 degrees built into it from the factory, and the ones I made are 3 1/2 degrees which gives me a total of 6 1/2.
really reduces the side to side darting that short wheelbase vehicles are famous for.

[NJKelly]

Thanks, appreciate it

[NJKelly]

My drive shaft to front differential is not installed at all. The truck started as a 6 cylinder and when they put in a rebuilt 350 with headers the driveshaft cannot get past those headers. I thought about going back to the ram exhaust manifolds or getting a set of headers that would accommodate the drive shaft. With the drive shaft not being installed could this play a role in the loose steering I'm feeling?

[6768chevylover]

Hemi, You gave this a negative castor. so the diff cover rotated downwards more?

[hemi43]

Originally Posted by 6768chevylover

Hemi, You gave this a negative castor. so the diff cover rotated downwards more?

No, positive caster. The shim I used made the yoke rotate downward.

[Bigdav160]

With the drive shaft not being installed could this play a role in the loose steering I'm feeling?

It should have no effect

well, other than not having 4WD

[NJKelly]

The post from 6768chevylover mentioned the differential and got me wondering, thanks for the reply

[SeventyOne]

Have you checked the rest of your driveline/suspension components?

Old worn tires can "grab" (more so if they are bias ply) and follow ruts, worn suspension bushings for the leaf springs/shackles, broken leafs, etc

[NJKelly]

Had it gone over by my mechanic, all that needed repairs were wheel bearings, rest was good. They thought it may have been manual steering converted to power but glove box says power from factory. Getting new 32" tires installed next week, waiting to see how it feels after they're on

[6768chevylover]

Thanks Hemi