Power Steering Gear Box Advantages - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

shrunken66stroker · 07-07-2009, 10:05 PM

Ok, I'm searching for info on a gear box for my conversion. I know that 67-87 boxes will fit(with the proper conversion brackets, rag coupler and pitman arm) from reading a few build threads. My question is, are there any advantages going with a box from a certain year? I've heard there is a change in the box around 80' but I'm not sure what it was. Are there any boxes that are smaller and lighter than others or are they all the same size/weight? Any boxes cheaper than the others?

protrash64 · 07-07-2009, 10:28 PM

I think in '80 they went metric....other than that I dont know of any major differences. I used (unknowingly) a quick ratio box that I love. I recommend them to anybody. My truck drives like a slot car.

shrunken66stroker · 07-07-2009, 11:26 PM

Is it 3 turns lock to lock?

protrash64 · 07-07-2009, 11:40 PM

I think so....not cheap however! I'll have to try it tomorrow and find out for sure...I havent fired the beast in awhile

.

shrunken66stroker · 07-07-2009, 11:50 PM

Light it up and give it a run around the block. Let me know what you figure out. I've read there are 3-3 1/2 turns to lock and 4 turns to lock boxes. All I know is that I don't want to want to be grabbing hand-fulls of steering wheel every time I take a turn anymore. And don't get your hand caught in the wheel when it's self correcting after a turn. You could brake a wrist with that manual gear box. It's a definite hazard.

hotrodf1 · 07-08-2009, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shrunken66stroker

Light it up and give it a run around the block. Let me know what you figure out. I've read there are 3-3 1/2 turns to lock and 4 turns to lock boxes. All I know is that I don't want to want to be grabbing hand-fulls of steering wheel every time I take a turn anymore. And don't get your hand caught in the wheel when it's self correcting after a turn. You could brake a wrist with that manual gear box. It's a definite hazard.

AMen brother! The manual in my 66 has got to go!! I don't know if maybe the wheels are offset different or what, but I can't imagine anyone buying a new truck in 66 and having it drive like mine.

**TR65** · 07-08-2009, 09:01 PM

Hey Stroker,

I believe you need to be sure that your box is for a C10. The hydraulic pressure applied depends on the stiffness of a torsion rod in the box. On another thread recently a guy was complaining of the steering being too light and his box was from a C20. So I think it had a weaker torsion rod.

I have a later 80's metric box I have ready to go on but haven't tried it yet. Funny, I never thought the truck was hard to steer back in the 60's.

Good luck,

TR

**Captainfab** · 07-08-2009, 11:46 PM

Around '80-'81 was when they changed to metric fittings in the boxes. I don't remember just when the quick ratio boxes were first available, but seems like it was in the early to mid 80's......I have it written down here somewhere.....

shrunken66stroker · 07-09-2009, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captainfab

Around '80-'81 was when they changed to metric fittings in the boxes. I don't remember just when the quick ratio boxes were first available, but seems like it was in the early to mid 80's......I have it written down here somewhere.....

If you come across it let me know. I really want a quick ratio box. I know I can get one from CPP but that's a big expense I can't afford right now. I'd rather wait it out and find one on ebay or buy a remanufactured one to save a hundred. The belt is tight these days.

shrunken66stroker · 07-09-2009, 12:35 AM

Hey Stroker,

I believe you need to be sure that your box is for a C10.

Thanks. I'll keep that in mind.

jgh64pkup · 07-12-2009, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotrodf1

AMen brother! The manual in my 66 has got to go!! I don't know if maybe the wheels are offset different or what, but I can't imagine anyone buying a new truck in 66 and having it drive like mine.

well send it to me

joe231 · 07-09-2009, 08:14 AM

my '80 c10 has a metric box....

protrash64 · 07-11-2009, 11:06 PM

OK..fired the truck up and was able to turn 3.5 times lock to lock. I dont have stops on my control arms so I mite be able to go a little further than normal.

**Captainfab** · 07-12-2009, 12:56 AM

I haven't been able to find any definitive info on what years the quicker ratio was available. Some claim there wasn't one.

The early box on my Suburban is 3.5 turns lock to lock. I have a metric box at the shop that is the same.

**Chevy Fleetside** · 07-12-2009, 09:57 AM

I have a metric box in my truck. It is from an 86 but I can't remember how many turns lock to lock. I was just happy that it didn't turn more to the left then to the right.

shrunken66stroker · 07-13-2009, 10:39 PM

Anyone else know what year gear box to look for if I want the quick ratio- 3.5 turns to lock model?

joe231 · 07-14-2009, 09:29 AM

I have three 1/2 ton boxes, two are metric and one is SAE...all 3 are 3.5 turns lock to lock....

shrunken66stroker · 07-14-2009, 12:30 PM

Maybe it was the old manual box that was 4 1/2 turns lock to lock. It sure felt like it when I was cranking and cranking and cranking. You could break a finger if you get it caught in the wheel when it was self correcting.

ol Curt · 07-15-2009, 02:06 PM

This might help in your search..
http://www.borgeson.com/POWER%20STEE...lacements.html

Quick ratio boxes are 3-3.5 turns lock to lock

shrunken66stroker · 07-15-2009, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ol Curt

This might help in your search..
http://www.borgeson.com/POWER%20STEE...lacements.html

Quick ratio boxes are 3-3.5 turns lock to lock

Great link. Thanks ol curt. It's exactly what I was looking for.

07-07-2009, 10:05 PM	#1
shrunken66stroker Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Las Vegas, Nv Posts: 954	Power Steering Gear Box Advantages Ok, I'm searching for info on a gear box for my conversion. I know that 67-87 boxes will fit(with the proper conversion brackets, rag coupler and pitman arm) from reading a few build threads. My question is, are there any advantages going with a box from a certain year? I've heard there is a change in the box around 80' but I'm not sure what it was. Are there any boxes that are smaller and lighter than others or are they all the same size/weight? Any boxes cheaper than the others? __________________ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...54#post3194654

07-07-2009, 10:28 PM	#2
protrash64 Resistance is Futile Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mesa,Arizona Posts: 3,520	Re: Power Steering Gear Box Advantages I think in '80 they went metric....other than that I dont know of any major differences. I used (unknowingly) a quick ratio box that I love. I recommend them to anybody. My truck drives like a slot car. __________________ 64 CHEVY PICK-UP > http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...otrash+re-hash 64 CARRYALL >http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1964+suburban 66 LB >http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=427852 STRENGTH/DETERMINATION/MERCILESS/FOREVER .......posted via stationary device

07-07-2009, 11:26 PM	#3
shrunken66stroker Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Las Vegas, Nv Posts: 954	Re: Power Steering Gear Box Advantages Is it 3 turns lock to lock? __________________ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...54#post3194654

07-07-2009, 11:40 PM	#4
protrash64 Resistance is Futile Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mesa,Arizona Posts: 3,520	Re: Power Steering Gear Box Advantages I think so....not cheap however! I'll have to try it tomorrow and find out for sure...I havent fired the beast in awhile. __________________ 64 CHEVY PICK-UP > http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...otrash+re-hash 64 CARRYALL >http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1964+suburban 66 LB >http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=427852 STRENGTH/DETERMINATION/MERCILESS/FOREVER .......posted via stationary device

07-07-2009, 11:50 PM	#5
shrunken66stroker Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Las Vegas, Nv Posts: 954	Re: Power Steering Gear Box Advantages Light it up and give it a run around the block. Let me know what you figure out. I've read there are 3-3 1/2 turns to lock and 4 turns to lock boxes. All I know is that I don't want to want to be grabbing hand-fulls of steering wheel every time I take a turn anymore. And don't get your hand caught in the wheel when it's self correcting after a turn. You could brake a wrist with that manual gear box. It's a definite hazard. __________________ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...54#post3194654

07-08-2009, 09:01 PM	#7
TR65 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 873	Re: Power Steering Gear Box Advantages Hey Stroker, I believe you need to be sure that your box is for a C10. The hydraulic pressure applied depends on the stiffness of a torsion rod in the box. On another thread recently a guy was complaining of the steering being too light and his box was from a C20. So I think it had a weaker torsion rod. I have a later 80's metric box I have ready to go on but haven't tried it yet. Funny, I never thought the truck was hard to steer back in the 60's. Good luck, TR __________________ 1965 C10 SWB Fleet Two owner LS2 Swap Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=413880

07-08-2009, 11:46 PM	#8
Captainfab 60-66 Nut Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Posts: 23,252	Re: Power Steering Gear Box Advantages Around '80-'81 was when they changed to metric fittings in the boxes. I don't remember just when the quick ratio boxes were first available, but seems like it was in the early to mid 80's......I have it written down here somewhere..... __________________ Power Steering Box Adapter Plates For Sale HERE Power Brake Booster Adapter Brackets For Sale '63-'66 HERE and '67-'72 HERE and '60-'62 HERE and "60-'62 with clutch HERE Rear Disc Brake Brackets For Sale. Impala SS calipers HERE Camaro Calipers HERE D52 Calipers HERE 6 Lug HERE Hydroboost Mounting Plates HERE Last edited by Captainfab; 07-08-2009 at 11:46 PM.

07-09-2009, 12:35 AM	#10
shrunken66stroker Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Las Vegas, Nv Posts: 954	Re: Power Steering Gear Box Advantages Hey Stroker, I believe you need to be sure that your box is for a C10. Thanks. I'll keep that in mind. __________________ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...54#post3194654

07-09-2009, 08:14 AM	#12
joe231 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Palmer, Alaska Posts: 13,821	Re: Power Steering Gear Box Advantages my '80 c10 has a metric box.... __________________ *CHEVY ONLY*

07-11-2009, 11:06 PM	#13
protrash64 Resistance is Futile Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mesa,Arizona Posts: 3,520	Re: Power Steering Gear Box Advantages OK..fired the truck up and was able to turn 3.5 times lock to lock. I dont have stops on my control arms so I mite be able to go a little further than normal. __________________ 64 CHEVY PICK-UP > http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...otrash+re-hash 64 CARRYALL >http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1964+suburban 66 LB >http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=427852 STRENGTH/DETERMINATION/MERCILESS/FOREVER .......posted via stationary device

07-12-2009, 12:56 AM	#14
Captainfab 60-66 Nut Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Posts: 23,252	Re: Power Steering Gear Box Advantages I haven't been able to find any definitive info on what years the quicker ratio was available. Some claim there wasn't one. The early box on my Suburban is 3.5 turns lock to lock. I have a metric box at the shop that is the same. __________________ Power Steering Box Adapter Plates For Sale HERE Power Brake Booster Adapter Brackets For Sale '63-'66 HERE and '67-'72 HERE and '60-'62 HERE and "60-'62 with clutch HERE Rear Disc Brake Brackets For Sale. Impala SS calipers HERE Camaro Calipers HERE D52 Calipers HERE 6 Lug HERE Hydroboost Mounting Plates HERE Last edited by Captainfab; 07-12-2009 at 12:56 AM.

07-12-2009, 09:57 AM	#15
Chevy Fleetside Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: San Francisco Posts: 4,782	Re: Power Steering Gear Box Advantages I have a metric box in my truck. It is from an 86 but I can't remember how many turns lock to lock. I was just happy that it didn't turn more to the left then to the right. __________________ "A man and his truck, what a beautiful thing" 65 Short Fleetside BBC 65 Long Fleetside 283 3 on the tree for now. my build thread http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=259536 Last edited by Chevy Fleetside; 07-12-2009 at 09:57 AM.

07-13-2009, 10:39 PM	#16
shrunken66stroker Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Las Vegas, Nv Posts: 954	Re: Power Steering Gear Box Advantages Anyone else know what year gear box to look for if I want the quick ratio- 3.5 turns to lock model? __________________ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...54#post3194654

07-14-2009, 09:29 AM	#17
joe231 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Palmer, Alaska Posts: 13,821	Re: Power Steering Gear Box Advantages I have three 1/2 ton boxes, two are metric and one is SAE...all 3 are 3.5 turns lock to lock.... __________________ *CHEVY ONLY*

07-14-2009, 12:30 PM	#18
shrunken66stroker Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Las Vegas, Nv Posts: 954	Re: Power Steering Gear Box Advantages Maybe it was the old manual box that was 4 1/2 turns lock to lock. It sure felt like it when I was cranking and cranking and cranking. You could break a finger if you get it caught in the wheel when it was self correcting. __________________ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...54#post3194654



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07-15-2009, 02:06 PM	#19
ol Curt Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Newburgh, IN Posts: 1,247	Re: Power Steering Gear Box Advantages This might help in your search.. http://www.borgeson.com/POWER%20STEE...lacements.html Quick ratio boxes are 3-3.5 turns lock to lock __________________ 1966 Chevy C10 Longbed I'm Bob....ol Curt was my Grandpa The truck was his and he sure as heck wouldn't understand why I took a perfectly good truck and tore it down!

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