Steering box options

[timcos]

OK...here is the reason I am asking the question.

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=249951

I think the steering gear box is screwed up.

So if I have to replace it...what are the best options?

I am also going to replace the pitman arm...I think it is a bit worn...along with the drag links and the adjusting sleeve.

So while I am in there...might as well go for broke.

[timcos]

ttt

[timcos]

ttt

[Truckstr]

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

This is the one that I went with. I'd like to say I love it, but I haven't gotten my truck back together to see.

[itsmike2k]

What does it mean by "Fits model with after market crossover steering only." on the application chart of that box?

[timcos]

Originally Posted by Truckstr

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

This is the one that I went with. I'd like to say I love it, but I haven't gotten my truck back together to see.

What about that one makes it 100 bucks better than stock?

Tim

[Musclerodz]

Originally Posted by itsmike2k

What does it mean by "Fits model with after market crossover steering only." on the application chart of that box?

Means it fits 2wd trucks and 4wd with cross over steering. We sell AGR boxes, and though they are not the best out there, they are the best for the price. There are better boxes out there, but be prepared to pay $450 and up. I have sold quite few boxes with no problems so far. If you decide on the AGR box, we should be able to match Summits price.

Mike

[Musclerodz]

Originally Posted by timcos

What about that one makes it 100 bucks better than stock?

Tim

Variable steering ratio as all modern cars have today would be the only benefit.

Mike

[timcos]

Do I have crossover steering on my K10? It is stock as far as I can tell.

What is the best one out there...and why would not go to the 450 point...what more is one getting?

What is a variable steering ratio?

[timcos]

OK...here is a good explanation...and that makes a ton of sense to me.

Some cars have variable-ratio steering, which uses a rack-and-pinion gearset that has a different tooth pitch (number of teeth per inch) in the center than it has on the outside. This makes the car respond quickly when starting a turn (the rack is near the center), and also reduces effort near the wheel's turning limits.

So most likely our steering box has a rack and pinion but no variable teeth?

Or do we have Recirculating-ball Steering gear boxes?

I think I would like to install a Drive By Wire System

[Truckstr]

Sorry I didn't respond earlier. Musclerodz stepped up and gave good input. I felt I didn't need to comment.

No, our trucks don't come stock with rack and pinion steering. It is the recirculating ball type, but not variable ratio. There are rack and pinion steering systems adaptable to our trucks (there are guys on this site that have it), but it isn't stock.

As far as variable ratio, recirculating ball type power steering systems go, the advantage is a higher rate "turn in" of the wheels at low speeds (as would be ana advantage in a parking lot) versus the need to have less "turn in" - which could equate to what I'll call "twitchiness" - at higher speeds. The stock units are the same steering ratio regardless of vehicle speed. I forget the stock spec, but it's pretty high. Something like 22:1 (don't jhold me to that).

Does that help?

Also, like Musclerodz says, the AGR unit may not be the best unit out there, but it has a very good reputation for the money. Better units, that do essentially the exact same job in the exact same way, are more expensive. It's up to you to decide. Just keep in mind that even re-manufactured stock units aren't much lower in price than the AGR unit.

[Truckstr]

Originally Posted by timcos

I think I would like to install a Drive By Wire System

Drive by wire? That would be a first in one of our trucks, I would imagine. I can't imagine why you'd want to go to that extreme. THAT would be expensive. I'm not even sure where to start on something like that.

A bit "over the top", if you ask me.

[itsmike2k]

So what is the cross over stering?

[timcos]

Originally Posted by Truckstr

Drive by wire? That would be a first in one of our trucks, I would imagine. I can't imagine why you'd want to go to that extreme. THAT would be expensive. I'm not even sure where to start on something like that.

A bit "over the top", if you ask me.

Yeah that was a joke...would be thousands if you sould even get your hands on it...it would increase the steering wheel placement options.

Tim

[msgross]

Originally Posted by itsmike2k

So what is the cross over stering?

this is what extreme off road chevy guy do to their rigs. They put a 2WD (side to side steer) in place of the 4wd (fore and aft steer) geerbox. Then connect that to the pass side flattop knuckle (aka crossover) which has machined to attach a steering arm. Then the stock tie-rod steers the driver side. Kind of like a jeep or F*rd setup. This allows them to lift the truck 8+ inches and still have a good angle on the drag link. Stock setups creat a lot of bumpsteer when them truck is lifted since the drag link on the driver side is so short, it creates an extreme angle and doesn't turn very well.

google crossover and you will see a lot of information on it, plan on big $$$ for this mod. Not needed for the average 4WD though.....

[itsmike2k]

So basicly the box Timcos is talking about does not fit our trucks with stock steering.

[Thealien]

I am very happy with my red head steering gear that I installed a couple of weeks ago. It was around $330 including shipping and a $60.00 core charge. Although with shipping to return my core return will be closer to $30.00. So actually my box cost me $300

http://www.redheadsteeringgears.com/

[timcos]

Sort of weird but my steering box is acting OK...been tooling around town taking it easy.

Can I just get a new pitman are (old one worn out I am sure) and just realign where it attaches? That way I will have good side to side steering.

Would rather spend the bucks on pitmanarm , drag links, drag link sleeve, tie rod ends...you know all the wearable stuff to tighten up my steering.

Tim

[timcos]

ttt

[Ivan D.]

Originally Posted by timcos

Can I just get a new pitman are (old one worn out I am sure) and just realign where it attaches? That way I will have good side to side steering.

Would rather spend the bucks on pitmanarm , drag links, drag link sleeve, tie rod ends...you know all the wearable stuff to tighten up my steering.

Tim

Sure you can do that, it's the suggested steering rebuild way anyways - stering boxes themselves rarely fail, steering linkages however do wear out much easier, so replace the drag link and the tie rods, pitman arm only if it has the flex-joint attached to it - if both flex joints are part of drag link (forgot how the exact K-setup looks like, and I got a 2wd) don't bother with the pitman arm.