A better manual steering box in my '71? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

greaseball · 02-17-2003, 12:45 PM

I've got the front end off of my '71 stepside 2wd. While it is apart, I am thinking of doing something about the manual steering box. It seems a bit sloppy. Is there a quick ratio maunual steering box available either through GM or aftermarket? I'd like to retain the manual steering, but would like it to be tighter and faster.

Thanks!

*racedvl* · 02-17-2003, 01:10 PM

I dunno about a quicker ratio, there are so many turns lock to lock because of it being manual. Think of it like a 10 bike, the quicker gears are harder to turn because of the ratio, it's the same with a manual steering gear. If your old gear needs to be replaced, I have the old box off my 69, after I changed to power steering. If you are interested PM me, and we'll talk. BTW what western burb are you in? I'm in Woodstock, in McHenry county.

pissonNOS · 02-17-2003, 02:08 PM

put the power steering in you wont regret it i just put it on my 69 last night or you could try the gear box froma camaro supposedly trhere better

Hutch · 02-17-2003, 02:21 PM

I met these guys at the Pate swap meet last year.
They offer a quick ratio rebuild.
http://www.powersteering.com

Have fun

Oops I reread your post and you said manual steering.
I will leave the link as someone else may need it.

okietruck · 02-17-2003, 03:01 PM

I agree with pissonNOS, definately switch to power steering. It is a simple conversion and you will never be happier. Be sure and take the pitman arm along with the power gear box from a donor. I made the change on my '72 and it was some of the smartest money I've spent.

Beyond · 02-17-2003, 04:18 PM

Will a Camaro box work? Any year? Which pitman should be used?

*racedvl* · 02-17-2003, 04:52 PM

I belive a camaro box is mounted on the inside of the frame rail, a truck mounts on the outside. So, I guess that would mount the box, upside down. . . LOL!

Beyond · 02-17-2003, 06:02 PM

Duh - you're right. I'd like to put a box on my 72 that is like my 95 GMC, it's got a good feel to it. Do those interchange?

greaseball · 02-18-2003, 07:30 PM

I really want to keep my manual steering, so I'm hoping someone may see this post and help me get this manual box fixed up.

jhwkns · 02-18-2003, 08:21 PM

steering quickener Here's an option http://www.secureperformanceorder.co...ProductID=1740

68 Suburban · 02-18-2003, 08:39 PM

I have a NOS manual gear box from a 73-78 truck. It is suppose to be a bolt up for our trucks.

gmcstep · 02-18-2003, 08:43 PM

i have a very tight manual gear out of my 60,000 mile 1971 gmc for 60.00 shipped to your door. have agreat day

SWINGSAX68 · 02-18-2003, 09:55 PM

I have one just sitting out side on my porch back at my home town......if you want it it's yours...$30 Plus shipping...if you are interested. I really never drove with it...so I'm not sure if it is in "prestine condition", but it did work when I moved my truck in my yard back and forth before i replaced it with PS box.

02-17-2003, 12:45 PM	#1
greaseball Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Western 'burbs, Chicago, IL Posts: 51	A better manual steering box in my '71? I've got the front end off of my '71 stepside 2wd. While it is apart, I am thinking of doing something about the manual steering box. It seems a bit sloppy. Is there a quick ratio maunual steering box available either through GM or aftermarket? I'd like to retain the manual steering, but would like it to be tighter and faster. Thanks!

02-17-2003, 02:08 PM	#3
pissonNOS senior member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: fort macleod alberta Posts: 2,770	put the power steering in you wont regret it i just put it on my 69 last night or you could try the gear box froma camaro supposedly trhere better __________________ 69 GMC bagged

02-17-2003, 02:21 PM	#4
Hutch Registered User Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Grapevine, Tx. Posts: 2,142	I met these guys at the Pate swap meet last year. They offer a quick ratio rebuild. http://www.powersteering.com Have fun Oops I reread your post and you said manual steering. I will leave the link as someone else may need it. __________________ John Hutchison Grapevine,Texas 68 1/2 t swb 68 Mustang 69 Jaguar 71 1/2 t swb 88 Supra CompTs6m 93 Escort GT 2005 Corolla XRS

02-17-2003, 03:01 PM	#5
okietruck Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Tulsa, OK, USA Posts: 117	I agree with pissonNOS, definately switch to power steering. It is a simple conversion and you will never be happier. Be sure and take the pitman arm along with the power gear box from a donor. I made the change on my '72 and it was some of the smartest money I've spent. __________________ '72 LWB Stepside

02-17-2003, 04:18 PM	#6
Beyond Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: La Harpe, KS Posts: 68	Will a Camaro box work? Any year? Which pitman should be used? __________________ 1972 C10 Daily Driver Project Truck 1971 Nova 9 second Tire Fryer 1988 Burb 1987 454 Dually Crew Cab

02-17-2003, 01:10 PM	#2
racedvl Account Suspended Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Woodstock, IL Posts: 7,020	I dunno about a quicker ratio, there are so many turns lock to lock because of it being manual. Think of it like a 10 bike, the quicker gears are harder to turn because of the ratio, it's the same with a manual steering gear. If your old gear needs to be replaced, I have the old box off my 69, after I changed to power steering. If you are interested PM me, and we'll talk. BTW what western burb are you in? I'm in Woodstock, in McHenry county.

02-17-2003, 04:52 PM	#7
racedvl Account Suspended Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Woodstock, IL Posts: 7,020	I belive a camaro box is mounted on the inside of the frame rail, a truck mounts on the outside. So, I guess that would mount the box, upside down. . . LOL!

02-17-2003, 06:02 PM	#8
Beyond Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: La Harpe, KS Posts: 68	Duh - you're right. I'd like to put a box on my 72 that is like my 95 GMC, it's got a good feel to it. Do those interchange? __________________ 1972 C10 Daily Driver Project Truck 1971 Nova 9 second Tire Fryer 1988 Burb 1987 454 Dually Crew Cab

02-18-2003, 07:30 PM	#9
greaseball Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Western 'burbs, Chicago, IL Posts: 51	I really want to keep my manual steering, so I'm hoping someone may see this post and help me get this manual box fixed up.

02-18-2003, 08:21 PM	#10
jhwkns Registered Cruiser Join Date: May 2002 Location: Las Vegas NV Posts: 2,230	steering quickener Here's an option http://www.secureperformanceorder.co...ProductID=1740 __________________ I intend to live forever. So far, so good.

02-18-2003, 08:39 PM	#11
68 Suburban Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: From Chicago, Live in Phoenix, AZ Posts: 6,802	I have a NOS manual gear box from a 73-78 truck. It is suppose to be a bolt up for our trucks.

02-18-2003, 08:43 PM	#12
gmcstep Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: ashtabula,ohio Posts: 132	steering gear i have a very tight manual gear out of my 60,000 mile 1971 gmc for 60.00 shipped to your door. have agreat day

02-18-2003, 09:55 PM	#13
SWINGSAX68 Now the others dig........ Join Date: May 2002 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 1,520	I have one just sitting out side on my porch back at my home town......if you want it it's yours...$30 Plus shipping...if you are interested. I really never drove with it...so I'm not sure if it is in "prestine condition", but it did work when I moved my truck in my yard back and forth before i replaced it with PS box. __________________ 68 Chevy C10 Stepside Black Primer 78 GMC Longbed White 09 Chevy Silverado Shortbed Granite Blue *LOOKING FOR A 67 4 DOOR IMPALA!!!Just like Sam and Dean Winchester!! 'Cause Mustangs are for p^#$ and you can fit a body in the trunk of a 67 Impala* MEMBER OF THE DRUM BRAKE CLUB Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies Texas State University-San Marcos, TX Certified Music Educator I hope Mom is up there watching and being my Guardian Angel "I've got a fever.....and the only prescription.....IS MORE COW BELL" -The Legendary: Bruce Dickenson "F#$@ 'em up!!!!!!" -The Legendary: Rogelio Escobar TRUCKY LINKS** http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=457750 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=461184 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=472848 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=417541 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=477788



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