Steering gear boxes

[68c10airstream]

First c10, went to auto schooling in the late 70's. Favorite 800 saginaw box is right under the hood of 76-80's gm trucks. It's called variable ratio, (not variable pressure as stated in hemmings article) 3 1/2 turns lock to lock. This variable ratio is the end result of over reacting quick ratio boxes in corvettes at high speed. The truck variable ratio box reacts slower from straight ahead through 1/4 turn left/right/ After that it's ratio speeds up to a quicker fixed rate. This variable ratio box info is stated on the glove box lid. If the 2 steering boxes were taken apart the difference is obvious. The pitman shaft as viewed from above when the 4 bolt cover is removed is this way; fixed ratio and the 3 teeth are the same length, the 3 teeth on the variable ratio has the center tooth is very obviously longer then the tooth on either side. If i had one i would remove the cover and show you but it's in my truck. Stay away from 1996 and newer boxes as they went to an easy steer function and it's way too much assist, you can steer it with one pinky finger. I suggest 76 and newer to get o ring style line fitting inside the box but it can be dealt with by other means. If you plan to autocross then in my opinion this probably isn't for you, but otherwise this variable ratio box is probably the most unknown under rated, least understood box ever made, and i love them. I've read articles about the variable ratio to help with parking, blah, blah,blah, but i will never be convinced after overhauling both styles and driving both styles in trucks. Hope this info helps this late in the thread, good luck, Brian F.