Variable Ratio Power Steering - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

ERASER5 · 07-12-2008, 01:28 AM

Does anyone know what year they started making the variable ratio power steering box for trucks, burbs, or blazers?

I am planning to go junk.. uhh salvage yard shopping tomorrow or Monday and I need to know what to look for.

**raggedjim** · 07-12-2008, 10:10 AM

Try this link, Rg

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...power+steering

stllookn · 07-12-2008, 10:28 AM

Read the link...so it might be the spring in the steering pump valve. How about quick ratio steering? I heard you could modify or retrofit with a JY quick ratio steering box...anyone done that?

I found a link to a company in AZ that will do yours for $170 but I recall Bob Moore (RIP) talking about buying auto parts store components (Camaro?) and rebuilding them.

**raggedjim** · 07-12-2008, 10:37 AM

I read it as the spring may affect "roadfeel" or the rate of assist. The 73-82 variable ratio box will give a quicker ratio than the original 68-72 box.

Sounds like the 73-75 boxes MAY use the same hoses as our trucks, but I do not know for sure...

Rg

Indyuke · 07-12-2008, 11:53 AM

I used one out of a 1977 chevy truck. Bolted right in. The only reason I chose that year was because that was the best looking one at the junk yard.

caminokid · 07-12-2008, 11:58 AM

I used one out of my old 87...I used the pump too. No problem with hoses then.

ERASER5 · 07-12-2008, 02:13 PM

Thanks for the help. So it seem that 73 & up is the answer.

I picked up Petersen's 4Wheel & Off-Road September issue. They have power steering/ram assist/hydro brake assist article. Good info, but they did not give any build dates.

Each piece was rebuilt. For the steering box, they showed variable piston and the straight cut piston. Big difference! Also, according to the article, the "road feel" is determined by the "torsion bar" shaft. This bar is the coupler from the steering wheel to the sector shaft. Apparently there are many different spring rates.

Mondo · 07-12-2008, 06:26 PM

I bought a quick ratio box for my 67. It works great for around town but going over 65 can be a little sketchy the first time as it's too sensitive ( I don't plan on any trips with gas prices as they are).

When everything is else is done I may get around to putting a variable rate one in.

07-12-2008, 01:28 AM	#1
ERASER5 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 4,859	Variable Ratio Power Steering Does anyone know what year they started making the variable ratio power steering box for trucks, burbs, or blazers? I am planning to go junk.. uhh salvage yard shopping tomorrow or Monday and I need to know what to look for. __________________ '70 GMC C1500 LWB Power disc brakes. WooHoo! Posi 6 Lug Dana 60

07-12-2008, 10:10 AM	#2
raggedjim Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Murray, Kentucky Posts: 3,514	Re: Variable Ratio Power Steering Try this link, Rg http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...power+steering __________________ Roger '68 Short step - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=849675 '69 ('70?) 2wd Blazer '70 GMC Jimmy 2wd '73 Firebird - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=853203 Ideas - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=851743

07-12-2008, 10:28 AM	#3
stllookn Saving 1 truck at a time! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 6,465	Re: Variable Ratio Power Steering Read the link...so it might be the spring in the steering pump valve. How about quick ratio steering? I heard you could modify or retrofit with a JY quick ratio steering box...anyone done that? I found a link to a company in AZ that will do yours for $170 but I recall Bob Moore (RIP) talking about buying auto parts store components (Camaro?) and rebuilding them. __________________ '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 400/TH400 '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 468/TH400w/buckets '72 C20 Halfhorn (Longhorn w/o cab and front clip) '69 Flxible Cruiser (look up ugly in the dictionary) Last edited by stllookn; 07-12-2008 at 10:34 AM.

07-12-2008, 10:37 AM	#4
raggedjim Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Murray, Kentucky Posts: 3,514	Re: Variable Ratio Power Steering I read it as the spring may affect "roadfeel" or the rate of assist. The 73-82 variable ratio box will give a quicker ratio than the original 68-72 box. Sounds like the 73-75 boxes MAY use the same hoses as our trucks, but I do not know for sure... Rg __________________ Roger '68 Short step - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=849675 '69 ('70?) 2wd Blazer '70 GMC Jimmy 2wd '73 Firebird - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=853203 Ideas - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=851743

07-12-2008, 11:53 AM	#5
Indyuke Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Lake Stevens, WA Posts: 623	Re: Variable Ratio Power Steering I used one out of a 1977 chevy truck. Bolted right in. The only reason I chose that year was because that was the best looking one at the junk yard.

07-12-2008, 11:58 AM	#6
caminokid Chevy nut Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Springfield, Illinois Posts: 2,266	Re: Variable Ratio Power Steering I used one out of my old 87...I used the pump too. No problem with hoses then. __________________ 84 Chevy Custom Deluxe 1/2 Ton Named Fade To Black II "Remember kids there is NO replacement for displacement!"

07-12-2008, 02:13 PM	#7
ERASER5 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 4,859	Re: Variable Ratio Power Steering Thanks for the help. So it seem that 73 & up is the answer. I picked up Petersen's 4Wheel & Off-Road September issue. They have power steering/ram assist/hydro brake assist article. Good info, but they did not give any build dates. Each piece was rebuilt. For the steering box, they showed variable piston and the straight cut piston. Big difference! Also, according to the article, the "road feel" is determined by the "torsion bar" shaft. This bar is the coupler from the steering wheel to the sector shaft. Apparently there are many different spring rates. __________________ '70 GMC C1500 LWB Power disc brakes. WooHoo! Posi 6 Lug Dana 60

07-12-2008, 06:26 PM	#8
Mondo Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bakersfield, Ca Posts: 538	Re: Variable Ratio Power Steering I bought a quick ratio box for my 67. It works great for around town but going over 65 can be a little sketchy the first time as it's too sensitive ( I don't plan on any trips with gas prices as they are). When everything is else is done I may get around to putting a variable rate one in.



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