Later Steering Box Swap? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**special-K** · 01-07-2009, 08:09 AM

What year steering box is a good upgrade that bolts right on?I know the ratio became quicker at some point.Then,after a few years or so the hose fittings went metric.Did 2wd and 4wds change in the same years?I not,when did each change?

70GMCer · 01-07-2009, 08:49 AM

Tim, I think 78 is the good year for the quick boxes. I think the early 80's went to metric fittings. You know someone else will confirm this or not. Thought I read about this some time back on here.

Bus Ted Knuckle · 01-07-2009, 10:34 AM

Tim, 78 will have the variable ratio and the fittings to use 68-72 hoses. I believe it would be the same from 78-80.

I edited this to read 78, should have said 78, not 76!!!

Green Machine · 01-07-2009, 02:59 PM

We used a 1978 box to fix a leaking one on our 71 C20. Lines fit just fine, just had to use the rag joint from the 1978 with the 1978 box because the splines are different than the older box. It does turn faster than the old box.

Jtrux · 01-07-2009, 04:01 PM

This is good to know. Is it the same for a 4x4 though. I know 4x4 boxes are unique to 4x4's but do 76 and up boxes for 4x4's have a quicker ratio??

**special-K** · 01-07-2009, 04:58 PM

That`s what I`d like to know,too.I want all the lowdown so there`s no confusion.If there`s not a FAQ thread maybe this can be a candidate.I know when I bought a box from GM for my`71 the part went through`77.I don`t know if that`s when they changed the ratio,changed the spline at the rag joint,or maybe went metric.I was thinking try`78 because I`m thinking I may rememeber metric stuff showing up on a buddy`s truck.

primered_junk · 01-07-2009, 07:20 PM

77-79 4x4 trucks had the fast ratio units. I ran several of them for a while in my 79 mud truck, the stock box would turn my 44's just as good as my friends AGR piece. They were prone leakage for some reason, I never figured it out. Those boxes teamed with a 78 WS-6 trans am pump make excellent off road pieces.

**special-K** · 01-07-2009, 08:05 PM

Great info so far.I`m thinking the through`77 was about the spline and rag-joint changing.My replacement (2wd) is most likely the later quick ratio.

454_72_4X4 · 01-07-2009, 08:45 PM

Just subscribing. Interested in any info of this type too. (My 72 could use a better steering box).

**WIDESIDE72** · 01-07-2009, 11:15 PM

My bro and I swapped a power box from a 76 2wd onto his 72 2wd that was origianlly manual a few yrs back (20?!?!) w/ no problems. Same splines and fittings on both.

01-07-2009, 08:09 AM	#1
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Later Steering Box Swap? What year steering box is a good upgrade that bolts right on?I know the ratio became quicker at some point.Then,after a few years or so the hose fittings went metric.Did 2wd and 4wds change in the same years?I not,when did each change? __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

01-07-2009, 08:49 AM	#2
70GMCer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Joppa, Maryland Posts: 4,408	Re: Later Steering Box Swap? Tim, I think 78 is the good year for the quick boxes. I think the early 80's went to metric fittings. You know someone else will confirm this or not. Thought I read about this some time back on here. __________________ 1997 GMC Sierra Ext 1965 Mustang

01-07-2009, 10:34 AM	#3
Bus Ted Knuckle Son of a gun Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hot Springs, Arkansas Posts: 1,636	Re: Later Steering Box Swap? Tim, 78 will have the variable ratio and the fittings to use 68-72 hoses. I believe it would be the same from 78-80. I edited this to read 78, should have said 78, not 76!!! __________________ Bill BEATERS ARE NEATER Last edited by Bus Ted Knuckle; 01-07-2009 at 10:01 PM. Reason: I said 76, and meant 78!

01-07-2009, 02:59 PM	#4
Green Machine Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Estherville, Iowa Posts: 3,371	Re: Later Steering Box Swap? We used a 1978 box to fix a leaking one on our 71 C20. Lines fit just fine, just had to use the rag joint from the 1978 with the 1978 box because the splines are different than the older box. It does turn faster than the old box. __________________ 1968 C10 307 3spd Long Fleet ------ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=201103 1970 C10 305 Super T10 Long Fleet --- http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=202285 1971 C20 383 TH350 Dana Posi ----- http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=206894 2001 GMC Sierra 1500 C3 6.0

01-07-2009, 04:01 PM	#5
Jtrux I'm a poor spectator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: San Antonio, Tx Posts: 2,287	Re: Later Steering Box Swap? This is good to know. Is it the same for a 4x4 though. I know 4x4 boxes are unique to 4x4's but do 76 and up boxes for 4x4's have a quicker ratio?? __________________ 2006 Jeep Unlimited IMPACT ORANGE 1993 Chevy 2500 4x4 ExCab LWB 454/NV4500 Tow rig 1977 Ford F100 2x4 LWB 1st truck I owned, still have it!!! 1979 Ford F150 4x4 SWB Built Ford Tough!!! 1971 Chevy Blazer 350 / SM465 / NP205 UNDER CONSTRUCTION Soon to have a LQ4 6.0!!!

01-07-2009, 04:58 PM	#6
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: Later Steering Box Swap? That`s what I`d like to know,too.I want all the lowdown so there`s no confusion.If there`s not a FAQ thread maybe this can be a candidate.I know when I bought a box from GM for my`71 the part went through`77.I don`t know if that`s when they changed the ratio,changed the spline at the rag joint,or maybe went metric.I was thinking try`78 because I`m thinking I may rememeber metric stuff showing up on a buddy`s truck. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

01-07-2009, 07:20 PM	#7
primered_junk ASE master tech/machinist Join Date: May 2008 Location: Blue Mound Texas Posts: 303	Re: Later Steering Box Swap? 77-79 4x4 trucks had the fast ratio units. I ran several of them for a while in my 79 mud truck, the stock box would turn my 44's just as good as my friends AGR piece. They were prone leakage for some reason, I never figured it out. Those boxes teamed with a 78 WS-6 trans am pump make excellent off road pieces. __________________ "I sit here and I pray in my broken down Chevrolet....."

01-07-2009, 08:05 PM	#8
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: Later Steering Box Swap? Great info so far.I`m thinking the through`77 was about the spline and rag-joint changing.My replacement (2wd) is most likely the later quick ratio. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~ Last edited by special-K; 01-07-2009 at 10:06 PM.

01-07-2009, 08:45 PM	#9
454_72_4X4 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: N.E. MO Posts: 1,749	Re: Later Steering Box Swap? Just subscribing. Interested in any info of this type too. (My 72 could use a better steering box). __________________ 72 C20 4X4 454 4 speed 89 Trans Am (was) 305 TPI 700r4 93 C1500 2wd Extended cab 350 700r4 98 Sonoma (TPI outa the Trans Am) 03 Yamaha 660 Raptor 03/04 660 Raptor 07 700 Raptor 85 Honda Odyssey

01-07-2009, 11:15 PM	#10
WIDESIDE72 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Cedar Park, Texas Posts: 7,500	Re: Later Steering Box Swap? My bro and I swapped a power box from a 76 2wd onto his 72 2wd that was origianlly manual a few yrs back (20?!?!) w/ no problems. Same splines and fittings on both.

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