Steering box swap - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Spoof · 10-08-2002, 02:10 PM

I want to swap in a steering bow with a tighter turn ratio. I know most years up to 86 are fine but which years had the tighter ratio?
Thanks in advance.

crazy longhorn · 10-08-2002, 04:16 PM

I have the box off an 84 burb(tighter ratio). the box is also metric, but wasnt a problem as I am running 73 up water pump & accessories. I used the hoses for the burb,& the fitting in the back of the pump. Also, watch the pitman ........me memory fades with age! If you are running the early pump, you can have hoses made to fit pretty cheap also. good luck.....crazy longhorn

Spoof · 10-09-2002, 12:48 AM

Interesting, I didn't realize an 83 would be metric too. Tell me, why is metric a problem re: pre 73 water pumps etc? I figured so long as the coupling leading up to the rag joint fit and the bolt holes lined up on the frame all would be well. What am I forgeting this time?

JimKshortstep4x4 · 10-09-2002, 08:04 AM

Hey Spoof!

Love your GMC! We downloading the picture of your carryall
a year ago and have used it for a screen saver.

Nice vehicle!

Jim

crazy longhorn · 10-09-2002, 08:16 AM

It would just be a matter of the hose fittings, the early boxes were flare nut fittings, & the metric boxes have an o ring type fittings for the hoses. This shouldnt be a problem, if you have both the pump& box fitting ends you can have hoses made. A local Napa store made hoses for my ranger(chevy pump to ford box), the ranger has a 305chev/350t combo. Im not sure when the metric box came , maybe 80 or 82?........im sure somebody can clear up what yr.

Pont · 10-09-2002, 09:37 AM

I went through this recently and I think it was 80 when they went to metric. I used a 74 pump with my 77 box (inverted flare on both). Ended up looking at about 15 different PS hoses at the parts store to find one with the right bends to work on my truck. Didn't have to have one made that way.

DR67 · 10-09-2002, 08:19 PM

Does anyone have the answer to the original question, what year did the ratios get tighter?
Thanks DR

Spoof · 10-10-2002, 12:00 AM

Thanks JimK!

Pont · 10-10-2002, 04:19 AM

LOL, it's amazing how easy it is to get sidetracked! Ok, I looked this up once and I think, I think that starting in 77, two ratios were available, either 12 to 1 close ration (3 turns lock to lock) or around 16 to 1 ration (4 turns lock to lock). Someone correct me if I'm wrong but if I remember right, it seems like it was around 77 when they offered more than one ratio. I've looked at new boxes as well and they are listed as a variable ratio 16-13 to 1.

10-08-2002, 02:10 PM	#1
Spoof Registered User Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Victoria,BC, Canada Posts: 1,300	Steering box swap I want to swap in a steering bow with a tighter turn ratio. I know most years up to 86 are fine but which years had the tighter ratio? Thanks in advance. __________________ 71 GMC 1500 LWB

10-09-2002, 12:48 AM	#3
Spoof Registered User Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Victoria,BC, Canada Posts: 1,300	Interesting, I didn't realize an 83 would be metric too. Tell me, why is metric a problem re: pre 73 water pumps etc? I figured so long as the coupling leading up to the rag joint fit and the bolt holes lined up on the frame all would be well. What am I forgeting this time? __________________ 71 GMC 1500 LWB

10-09-2002, 09:37 AM	#6
Pont I need another Barley Pop Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Grants Pass, OR Posts: 1,629	I went through this recently and I think it was 80 when they went to metric. I used a 74 pump with my 77 box (inverted flare on both). Ended up looking at about 15 different PS hoses at the parts store to find one with the right bends to work on my truck. Didn't have to have one made that way. __________________ 67 Short Fleet 4x4 04 Honda CRF450R 89 Toyota 4-Runner 34 Ford 2 door sedan - Long term project ---------------------------------------------- There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness"

10-09-2002, 08:19 PM	#7
DR67 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Knoxville, Tn. USA Posts: 205	steering box swap Does anyone have the answer to the original question, what year did the ratios get tighter? Thanks DR __________________ Dave Knoxville,Tn.

10-10-2002, 12:00 AM	#8
Spoof Registered User Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Victoria,BC, Canada Posts: 1,300	Thanks JimK! __________________ 71 GMC 1500 LWB

10-08-2002, 04:16 PM	#2
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,402	I have the box off an 84 burb(tighter ratio). the box is also metric, but wasnt a problem as I am running 73 up water pump & accessories. I used the hoses for the burb,& the fitting in the back of the pump. Also, watch the pitman ........me memory fades with age! If you are running the early pump, you can have hoses made to fit pretty cheap also. good luck.....crazy longhorn

10-09-2002, 08:04 AM	#4
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	Hey Spoof! Love your GMC! We downloading the picture of your carryall a year ago and have used it for a screen saver. Nice vehicle! Jim

10-09-2002, 08:16 AM	#5
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,402	It would just be a matter of the hose fittings, the early boxes were flare nut fittings, & the metric boxes have an o ring type fittings for the hoses. This shouldnt be a problem, if you have both the pump& box fitting ends you can have hoses made. A local Napa store made hoses for my ranger(chevy pump to ford box), the ranger has a 305chev/350t combo. Im not sure when the metric box came , maybe 80 or 82?........im sure somebody can clear up what yr.

10-10-2002, 04:19 AM	#9
Pont I need another Barley Pop Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Grants Pass, OR Posts: 1,629	LOL, it's amazing how easy it is to get sidetracked! Ok, I looked this up once and I think, I think that starting in 77, two ratios were available, either 12 to 1 close ration (3 turns lock to lock) or around 16 to 1 ration (4 turns lock to lock). Someone correct me if I'm wrong but if I remember right, it seems like it was around 77 when they offered more than one ratio. I've looked at new boxes as well and they are listed as a variable ratio 16-13 to 1. __________________ 67 Short Fleet 4x4 04 Honda CRF450R 89 Toyota 4-Runner 34 Ford 2 door sedan - Long term project ---------------------------------------------- There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness"



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