47-55.1 Steering quickener

[mick53]

On my 53 3100 I'm running a stock steering column and box with electronic power steering. I'm running a 55 steering wheel for the turn signals. I plan on trying to install a smaller ring on the stock 55 wheel. I would like to reduce the steering ratio (?) by installing a quickener gear. They seem to come in 1.5:1 and 2:1. I don't know which one I should use. My main question is should the quickener be before the power steering motor or after it. The power steering motor just gets cut inline into the column. Thank you for your time.

[mr48chev]

Usually those get used in dirt track or off road rigs but with all the miles I have driven with a stock steering box I can understand why you are thinking of one.

Everything I read says that they increase steering effort and from that I'd think you want it above the power steering unit but that may not be possible. Still the worse case if you put it between the power steering unit and the steering box it is just going to make the power steering unit work slightly harder. You might actually want it below the power steering unit on yours because if you decide you don't like it it will be real simple to remove it and replace it with a piece of steering shaft.

This is on old Jeeps but there is a real good steering setup install tutorial in this link that answers a lot of questions that guys have had lately. https://www.fourwheeler.com/how-to/t...y-jeep-willys/


I bought the electric power steering unit out of a Chevrolet Equinox a couple of years ago to use with the Dakota manual rack when I was planning to run the Industrial Chassis crossmember. Reading up on that box when used in other rigs says that they can be twitchy as far as steering goes. With it's size I don't think even the Howe quick steering box in the link that Posted above would have room to fit between it and the dash.

[mick53]

[QUOTE=mr48chev;8840304]Usually those get used in dirt track or off road rigs but with all the miles I have driven with a stock steering box I can understand why you are thinking of one.

Everything I read says that they increase steering effort and from that I'd think you want it above the power steering unit but that may not be possible. Still the worse case if you put it between the power steering unit and the steering box it is just going to make the power steering unit work slightly harder. You might actually want it below the power steering unit on yours because if you decide you don't like it it will be real simple to remove it and replace it with a piece of steering shaft.

This is on old Jeeps but there is a real good steering setup install tutorial in this link that answers a lot of questions that guys have had lately. https://www.fourwheeler.com/how-to/t...y-jeep-willys/
Thanks for the advice and the link. I was also concerned about the twitchy thing. This is a pretty high end unit, ($1500) I spoke with the manufacturer about it. Luckily I talked my friend into putting the same unit in his old F@rd truck. We installed it about a year ago and so far so good for him. It's smooth as silk. So time will tell. Worst case I have another stock column.