I have been trying to follow all of the posts on this great site on which Quick Ratio Steering box to go with ?? I want to keep the original look if possible but would like to reduce the steering ratio to at least 2 1/2 to 3 Turns from lock to lock. I would also like to be able to use my original power steering hoses with the flare type fittings ETC.
Any personal experiences and recomendations for this swap would be greatly appreciated !! graemlins/thumbsup.gif I have seen the quick ratio box that Year One offers and it is a direct bolt in, but I do not like that I have to also send back my core. The price is decent, but after all of the shipping and handling charges before you know it you are close to $400 bucks !! I am looking at the box that Summit is offering, from AGR for $329 bucks and NO CORE !! I would like to keep my original steering box if I can. I would also have to buy another pitmit arm, I really do not want to try and remove my existing one.

Just My thoughts guy's

Thanks Guy's
ZIGGY454

I have an AGR one and am happy with it.

I had no problem removing my pitman arm, have heard of others having problems.

Make sure you get the correct pitman arm and compare to the original just to be sure. I have heard of people getting one that was supposed to be correct, but was different from the one the one on their old box.

Ziggy,

I too havethe AGR box from Summit... I am completely satisfied...

If you go to AGRs website or get their catalog, you can get the quick ratio with the old-style hose seats AND the old-style rag-joint splines... Summit will carry these (thats what I got), I guess the Summit tech guys will know, but I always like to double check part numbers BEFORE I order...


It was a real easy bolt-in... I didn't have any trouble pulling the pitman arm off...

I only had two problems:
1) You need to pull the Pitman arm off the centerlink as well (otherwise real hard to put it back together).

2) I had previously (8+ years earlier) swithced to a newer Trans Am box, and I forgot that I also change the ragjoint at that time... BUT since I ordered the AGR box for the older rag-joint spline, my rag-joint wouldn't work... I ended up getting a nice used one from the wrecking yard, but blew a few extra hours...

I am thoroughly satisfied, a great improvement. I also happened to order mine when Summit had one of their "10% off" discount sales... Thats saved me $33...

You can also have your original rebuilt with a different ratio. No replacing pittman that way. About $250 last I heard.

i used 88 monte carlo ss box. just need to use fitting adaptors and different rag joint.

Thanks for all of your great responses guy's graemlins/beers.gif If I do go with a new box the AFR steering box is looking like the best Deal for the money !!

Thanks Again Guy's !!!


ZIGGY 454 !!!

Just a thought...you can buy a 78 Trans Am steering box at your local parts store..direct bolt on...looks the same and worked for me!

You can also have your original rebuilt with a different ratio. No replacing pittman that way.I have run both the 78 TA and the new AGR, and they all use the SAME pitman arm, I just swapped it from box to box...

Hi Everyone
Just thought I would paas this along. I repalced mine steering box with on I got from a local NAPA store. I told them I had a 67 Chevelle and they had two types. one with a standard ratio (3 3/4 to 4 1/4 lock to lock) and one with a quick ratio (2 1/2 to 3 lock to lock)I had to wait two days for it to come from the warehouse. Yes I did turn in the core but I made sure it look the same and it looked exactly like the old one but much cleaner.Bolted right up and used my orginal pittman arm and rag joint The cost was $169.00 with local taxes and no core charge since I turned my core in and no shipping or handling. Plus I had a local source if something wasn't right.I asked the Chevelle parts suppliers about the possible differences between the two (theres and the local one) and I could not get a definative answer. One told me theres used Iroc Camaro internals. I was trying to get a feel for why I should buy there at $ 239. 00 or more plus shipping and handleing versus the $169.00 and no shipping and handling. Granted I haven't driven the car yet so I could not tell you how this cars feels. I thought this might help if some one was still debating on where or what to get

I also am considering changing my steering box (currently about 90:1, I think!) and was looking for a MC SS box. Thanks for the tip about Napa! I'll try the local parts store and see what I find.

Any others have comments on the T/A box (year preferred, turning ratio problems, manual version available?)

We just did a power steering "tech session" at our last club meeting. I have also converted my '64 from 47 turns L/L manual to High Ratio power steering. Here's what I've learned:

Existing Power steering to Fast Ratio Power:
The physical dimensions of the boxes and the mounting bolt patterns are identical.
Somewhere around '70 GM dropped the 4th mounting ear.
Late model boxes use the small diameter input shaft.
Late model boxes have O-ring type sealing.
The round "end cap" on the box determines the travel (turning radius) of the steering box. There are lugs cast into the interior surface that act as limit stops.

Conversion:
You must use the pitman arm from your car (year/model) to maintain linkage geometry.
Lee Mfg. makes O-ring to Flare adapter inserts to use a late model box with "old" style lines.
You can swap the end cap from your original box to a fast ratio box and maintain original travel (turning radius).
The late model rag joint will have to be slightly modified to work with the older column input (enlarging 1 mounting hole).
Your existing box can have High Ratio guts installed if you want to maintain "originality".

Manual to Power Conversion:
(this is my own experiences)
I thought the easiest route was this. I found a complete late model "donor" car (wreck - '79 Malibu w/ 305) and took the entire front of the engine off. All pulleys, WP, brackets, PS pump, bolts, etc. went in the wheelbarrow.
I scored a '98 Trans Am box from Ebay for $50.
Ordered the O-ring adapters from Lee ($12)
Bought a new rag joint (GM - About $60)
Bought a new PS Pitman arm from OPG (OUCH)
This worked out in my situation because I wanted to use a late model alternator, long WP, and clutch fan as well, and had already extended the alt. wiring harness to the passenger side.
http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/JohnD/Elky_032.jpg

Hope this helps.

You can swap the end cap from your original box to a fast ratio box and maintain original travel (turning radius).I think this will only work for turning one way (right or left, I can't recall), not both... The other stops are up inside the box...

The late model Jeep Grand Cherokee is alao a 12:1 box, but requires adapters on the hose fittings and the hybrid rag joint.

What rag joint do you need to run the Monte SS box?

The following vehicles were produced with flexible couplings that will attach to the new gear:

1977 thru 1982 Chevrolet and GMC C/K (2 wheel and 4 wheel drive) Pickup Trucks
1977 and 1978 Camaro, Firebird, and Nova
1979 Nova
1983 thru 1986 Chevrolet and GMC C (2 wheel drive only) Pickup Trucks

I have found a flexible coupling in the GM parts system that will connect to a ¾ input shaft. It is available through GM dealers. It is part number 7826542. It is fairly expensive (around $80 list) but it is brand new.

Got my quick steer box off a late model jeep cherokee, and I love it. For only 100 bucks, who wouldn't smile.gif

Update Guy's; I am right in the middle of a TOTAL rebuild of my front suspension as we speak, and I did manage to check out the turn ratio that I presently have now :confused: So, to my amazment my original steering box is a 3 turn lock to lock now graemlins/hurray.gif Learning that I have decided to stick with it and glade that I am because as usual the front end rebuild is costing me more than expected, what else is new boy's !! alway's the case it seems :rolleyes: At least thats what my wife alway's say's to me anyway graemlins/clonk.gif

ZIGGY454