Can the older steering boxes be upgraded like this? :

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&item=260296295001

I got the old box of my 68SS I keep tripping over......

Steering box can be rebuilt but, try a Jeep Grand Cherokee box. Just did it on my '71. Big help. Three turns lock-to-lock.
Used the kit from Lee but you can find the right rag joint and make up some lines and do the same thing.
Whole thing cost $60 for the box and $75 for the line adapters and rag joint.
Do a search here...all kinds of info.:yes:

I sent the stock box out of my '69 442 to Lee; they rebuilt it and converted it to 12.7:1 ratio. It was $400 but I wanted to keep the original box for simplicity's sake and had heard really good things about Lee.

-Jon

Jeff the internals will fit as the cases are all the same dimensions. I have put the 12.7:1 internals in early Chevelle cases. I also stuck a set of late model variable ratio parts in Tom Mobley's 70 Chevelle case. He likes it a lot better then the quick ratio Z28 gear he had in it prior. It is necessary to change the rag joint to the smaller size. The steering spool needs to be balanced with special equipment so I do not ever disassemble, just swap them over. The only thing to watch for is severe wear in the spool side of the case where the teflon O rings ride. A little is ok but if they are deep the case is junk.

I sent the stock box out of my '69 442 to Lee; they rebuilt it and converted it to 12.7:1 ratio. It was $400 but I wanted to keep the original box for simplicity's sake and had heard really good things about Lee.

-Jon
the other way to go is what i just did. i put in the AGR box. brand new box. different valving than the stock box. 12:1 (or something like that). man it steers nice now. great road feel too. i also replaced the pump with one of their high perf. pumps. no other way to go if you ask me. i think the box was cheaper than the $400 to rebuild mentioned above too. here's a pic. nothing was modified to install. even used the original rag joint. it was in good shape.

http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/data/500/medium/IMG_0140.JPG

I did the same AGR replacement instead of doing a rebuild. The AGR is 12:1 ratio (#292117 $350 at Summit) and bolts in just like the stock gearbox with factory hoses and bolts. Steering effort was heavy at first but now has loosened up. It is a definite improvement over the stock steering box.

The above pic has a nice belt system!