Steering Box Upgrade?

[kizer]

I have the original Steering box on my 65 LWB Fleet.

I figured since I just took it off to get to the frame I was wondering is there a "non power steering" steering box that I can bolt up that would require less than 20 turns to turn to the left or right? Maybe a mid 80's model or something?

I'm fully aware that power steering is the way to go, but honestly I'm trying to keep it really simple under the hood and I haven't decided if I want to go with the 350 I was given or stick with the I6. The 350 has a power steering unit on it, but the 6 doesn't. If I go with the 6 I'd like to have an option, but if I go with the 350 I'd still like to have the option.

I did a search using Steering Box and selected 60-66 and didn't come up with anything. So either I did it wrong or something.

[jason65]

Get a bigger steering wheel. One out of a blue bird buss would work nicely.

[kizer]

Hahaha, I've seen some of those Blue Bird Buses. Man they are HUGE

[shrunken66stroker]

You won't have to go to the gym. Get a 17 inch wheel and drive around the block a few times. I'm about to change to power steering. I'm all for under hood cleanliness but I don't want to have to use a suicide knob to make a U turn.
Just my 1 cent.

[jason65]

I got one of those knobs, I can't wait to put it on and try it out.

[4dranch]

Originally Posted by jason65

I got one of those knobs, I can't wait to put it on and try it out.

like this one?

[TimE]

Just remember, they're called "suicide knobs" for a reason...

[jason65]

Mines like that but crome.

[joe231]

Originally Posted by TimE

Just remember, they're called "suicide knobs" for a reason...

enlighten us please?
I know they are illegal in most states, but I never saw the problem with them...

[kizer]

So I'm guessing there isn't a more responsive bolt on steering box that can be slapped on?

I don't know where I saw one of those, but I knew somebody that had one of those that would fold in to have a lower profile and required a pull of a pin on the bottom to lock and unlock.

[kizer]

Originally Posted by joe231

enlighten us please?
I know they are illegal in most states, but I never saw the problem with them...

This is what one site said when I did a search for them.

They are called suicide knobs because there is excess torque and torsion on the pin in the spinner mechanism, which causes the pin to snap, the wheel to go crazy and the car to go ass over teakettle.

[jason65]

I heard it was because peoples thumbs would get hung up in the steering wheel and cause problems. I haven't seen a gearbox like what your wanting.

[joe231]

Originally Posted by kizer

This is what one site said when I did a search for them.

They are called suicide knobs because there is excess torque and torsion on the pin in the spinner mechanism, which causes the pin to snap, the wheel to go crazy and the car to go ass over teakettle.

that is a funny description, i like it!

[TimE]

Originally Posted by joe231

enlighten us please?
I know they are illegal in most states, but I never saw the problem with them...

In an older vehicle, when you release the steering wheel after a turn, the wheel will try to automatically re-center. If the turn is very sharp(numerous steering wheel rotations), the return will be a rather quick rotation of the wheel. The knob can get caught on your hand, causing personal injury and even wrecking of the vehicle dependant upon the speed/location. Understand that this is my reason for not liking them...

My first car was a '61 Bel Air that was quite the bear to drive. I had thought about getting one for it but after driving it for a while and seeing how fast the wheel would rotate in my hand, I didn't want anything to do with one. In some "stupid moments" in that car, I did catch my thumb in the wheel and it hurt like a...well, you know.