As far as quick ratio steering boxes are concerned I see that a lot of you guys run the Grand Cherokee box which are a 12.7:1. Beside total cost, what advantages does this box have over like a new 12:1 box and would the 12:1 (2.5 turns lock to lock) be too touchy?
Thanks,
Gunnar

I think cost is one of the biggest factors. The other "big" factor, is the T-bar inside the gearbox. The GC t-bar is a little bit bigger than most others. This is supposed to give it a little higher steering effort, with less of the typical 70's "overboosted" feel.

As far as quick ratio steering boxes are concerned I see that a lot of you guys run the Grand Cherokee box which are a 12.7:1. Beside total cost, what advantages does this box have over like a new 12:1 box and would the 12:1 (2.5 turns lock to lock) be too touchy?Thanks,
Gunnar

Not sure on some of the newer stuff, but pretty much everything is 12.7:1... Even the "12:1" boxes are really the 12.7:1... That the quickest ratio that these Saginaw boxes came with... Grand Cherokee, Caprice Police package, Z/28, trans Am, Monte Carlo SS, etc...

As was mentioned, the T-bars differed, and often the internal stops also differed (the internal stops are what give the "2.5 turns lock to lock")... The Camaro/Monte Carlo boxes aren't any quicker, its just that they have shorter "throws" due to the internal stops...

The Grand Cherokee and the Caprice boxes have "throws" (internal stops) that are very close to a stock Chevelle, which makes them a better choice for the swap. But since the Caprice quick ratios were mostly police cars, they are getting a bit harder to find... Since people are just now realizing the Grand Cherokee boxes will swap and every Grand Cherokee has the same ratio, they are easier to find... "Grand" cherokee, not the regular Cherokee...

IMO, the T-bar will have the most effect on "touchy feel"... the stiffer the T-bar, the more driver input needed before the assist kicks in...


I have seen a newer (lighter?) box available, and maybe that has a true 12:1 ratio, But I haven't heard too much...

I agree with the above, its an inexpensive and worthwhile conversion.

I am doing one now. I am ordering the kit for the line fittings and rag joint from Tom Lee. He said to make sure the pitman arm will fit onto the output shaft. There is something about some 9C1 cars being different. Mine fortunately slips right on.

The NASCAR boys are now running the Saginaw 600 gear with a special housing. It is my understanding that there have been special worms, racks, and pitman shafts designed and manufactured for them. Those special parts provide a 10:1 ratio for those steering gears. (Possibly even faster ratios as well.) For the life of me, I can't figure out how they can drive at 190 mph with a gearbox with that quick a ratio. Of course I don't know about the rest of the steering geometry but they must know what they are doing.

There have been quite a few people that have mentioned that the 12.7:1 Saginaw gear in a Chevelle can be too responsive at highway speeds. From what I know and have heard, I would never recommend anything faster.

JIML82

So what years on the Grand Cheroke are the "desireed" ones? Does this Tom Lee sell a kit to adapt the steering hoses to the box? Which hoses would you use, the factory chevelle ps hoses? Do you use a factory chevelle ps pitman? Anyone out there using the GC ps box and hydroboost cause I plan on running it as well, and if so were there any install snags?

Thanks all,

Gunnar

I just did my GC Saginaw conversion and it was quite straight forward. You need Tom Lee's kit (which I thought was slightly expensive for what you got) which makes for an easy swap. I upgraded to a smaller diameter 14" MOMO steering wheel so that increased my ratio feel. I personally wouldn't want anything that is lower in ratio. Without an upgraded suspension package (i.e. SPC arms, etc) I think it would actually be dangerous or unpredictable. I'm still running the stock suspension config.

With all that said it's probably one of the best bang-for-your-buck upgrade items you can do on your chevelle. Again, not sure if a 12.1 ratio would be ideal for you unless you can upgrade all your other suspension/steering items (imho).

I believe mine was from a 96' GC? Please search on this board. I don't remember exactly. I believe it was the GC from 3 generations ago.

So what years on the Grand Cheroke are the "desireed" ones? Does this Tom Lee sell a kit to adapt the steering hoses to the box? Which hoses would you use, the factory chevelle ps hoses? Do you use a factory chevelle ps pitman? Anyone out there using the GC ps box and hydroboost cause I plan on running it as well, and if so were there any install snags?

Thanks all,

Gunnar

Answers as follows...
Q1: Please search.. i dont' remember
Q2: Tom Lee's kit has everything you need. I would name them all but I really dont' know the names of the parts.
Q3: Yes
Q4: I have a 66' and I used the stock pitman arm. It fit fine.
Q5: Not using a hydroboost.. can't help there.. YET!

You want the 1992 1/2 through 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee power steering gear box.

JIML82

You want the 1992 1/2 through 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee power steering gear box.

JIML82

If you can't find one in the local 'Pick-a-Part', Auto-Zone, ect, sell the rebuilt ones fairly reasonably priced ($140 + core). Not terrible for a reconditioned unit with warranty. You can use your old box as a core.

http://www.autozone.com/selectedZip,26062/initialAction,partProductDetail/initialpartType,00599/initialR,APP756700/initialvehicleId,1944402/shopping/selectZip.htm

John

the one you can get at autozone. Is it a direct fit, will anything need to be changed.

the one you can get at autozone. Is it a direct fit, will anything need to be changed.

It's the GC box - you will need the adapters for the hoses and steering shaft like with any other GC swap.
John

thanks,im going to look in to this as a replacement for my original box

Where can I find out more info and pricing on this Tom Lee adaptor kit?

(I believe this info is still current)

Lee Manufacturing

11661 Pendleton St.

Sun Valley, CA 91352

818 - 768 - 0371

Fax 818 - 768 - 2687

yes-
11661 Pendleton St
Sun Valley, CA , 91352-2502
Phone: 818-768-0371
FAX: 818-768-2687
Website: www.leepowersteering.com

But I could not open the website.
John

I can't get the site up either and when I call I keep getting a message that they are out to lunch. Hopefully I just keep calling at the wrong time. What all does the kit include? Is it just AN fittings to adapt factory hoses to GC gearbox and a different rag joint? How much does it cost roughly?

Thanks,
Gunnar

Can't tell you the cost but it contains a new rag joint and two hose seats to adapt the 45* hydraulic hoses into the newer/later metric O-ring steering box. Nothing so fancy as AN adapters or hoses.

Cost was about $90-100 based on memory.

Here are some notes I dug up when doing the research for the swap. Hope it helps.

Steering Box - http://www.cvsteering.com/ | http://www.442.com/oldsfaq/ofstr.htm | http://www.powersteering.com/products/ | http://www.leepowersteering.com/ | Informative Link http://www.chevelles.com/techref/ftecref29.html
Lee Manufacturing
1661 Pendelton St.
Sun Valley, Ca. 91352
(818) 768-0371 (talk to Tom Lee or his wife)

* 83-88 Monte Carlo SS
* 83-84 Hurst Olds
* 85-87 Olds 442
* 84-87 Grand National/T-Type (Turbo)
* OR GC 1993-98 Steering Box with Lee Adapter Kit & 66-72 Pitman Arm (140 ft/lb per GM), two fitting adaptors

I ordered a kit the other day. The cost is about $85.00.