73-87 steering gear upgrade

[bucannon]

I am looking to upgrade my power steering gear box with a good unit, but i have read of many different options. which is best for my application?

In Hot Rod i found an archive of someone using a saginaw 800 steering gear, i cant seem to find it for sale. Or I dont know what year/model had the saginaw 800 -Link below-

http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/chassis...olet-cheyenne/


is the saginaw 800 the best bet? what other options are out there for these trucks? and of course what is the most economical since i am on a budget.

[crazy longhorn]

Is that a variable ratio box, or fast ratio(2 3/4-3 turns , lock to lock)? Longhorn

[clinebarger]

Trucks use a 700 series Saginaw box, 800 series are for passenger cars.
Both are good boxes that can be built with different ratio's.

A quality rebuilt gear box, New Rag-Joint, And frame bracing works wonders on square body trucks.

Lee's Manufacturing Builds quality boxes

[bucannon]

ahh thank you clinebarger! from what I read in hot rod the saginaw 800 is a quick steer unit, but apparently either box can be rebuilt to either ratio.

I have looked at the stock replacements on rock auto, since i am working with limited funds, I see this listed as the favorite power gear of the group:

LARES Part # 1262 More Info Power Gear; Reman One of our most popular parts. Works w/ Lares Steering Coupling Assembly 200

so is this a 700 or 800? when i click on more info it tells me about LARES which i looked up separately and seems like a decent company. and with a price of $130 for a re-manufactured gear.

[bucannon]

I would love to do some frame bracing since i run 35 inch tires! but most of the bolt on brace kits i have seen are very pricey. anyone know of any for a fair price?


I have also gone to the HELP section of my local autoparts store and picked up a replacement rag joint, have not put it in since i cant get any bolts loose on the damn thing...

I have heard of people using a steering column from a Jeep Cherokee that has a U-joint instead of a rag joint, I might do that swap. apparently it is bolt in!

[clinebarger]

With 35's, Your #1 concern should be bracing the frame.

[bucannon]

Originally Posted by clinebarger

With 35's, Your #1 concern should be bracing the frame.

what vendors sell bracing kits?

I dont have a welder so Im guessing a bolt on brace would be best for my application.

[clinebarger]

I have always fabricated my own, I wasn't aware bolt-on kits existed.

[tjsblazer]

Originally Posted by bucannon

what vendors sell bracing kits?

I dont have a welder so Im guessing a bolt on brace would be best for my application.

Off Road Design. See link
http://offroaddesign.com/catalog/steeringkit.htm