[hdebo]

I am going to change my steering box on my 69 to a close ratio box. I have read all the post about converting to the jeep box. My question is what is the big advantage of using the jeep box as opposed to a direct fit close ratio box. Napa sells an exact fit box for only 150.00. Can someone please explain the difference to me.

Thanks

 

[Bill Rose]

I put the NAPA box in my 71. Not sure why guys would use a jeep box, except maybe they could find one in a junk yard cheaper. The NAPA box is rebuilt, guaranteed, dependable and looks like the original.

 

[mike pratola]

I guess it's all a matter of choice. I got a low-milage GC box, new OEM type hoses, a rag joint rebuild kit, the lower joint flange and the o-ring to flare adapters from Lee's for just about $100. $50 bucks is real money to me, but I also understand that others don't have salvage yards nearby or the time and/or inclination to go and pull used parts. It's all a matter of what your time and budget allows.

 

[mike pratola]

By the way, the Jeep box is a direct bolt in also, just like the NAPA box, and your still going to have to change the rag joint/coupling and use o-ring to flare hose adapters or change the pump and hoses. 'Ya pays yer money and ya takes yer choices...'

 

[von]

I just put a used '85 Monte Carlo SS box on my '69 Malibu. If i had it to do over I would get a rebuilt close ratio box from an auto parts store. The MC box cost $60 incl shipping. Then the required rag joint and hose adapter kit was $95 incl shipping for a total of $155. I could've got a new rebuilt fast ratio box for less money that that would accept the stock rag joint and hoses. Also the MC box is a "high effort" box that's a little too stiff for my liking even after swapping a the higher pressure '70 flow control valve in the pump. A side note: '70 and later Chevelle PS boxes are variable ratio with faster gearing than '69 and earlier.

 

[BillsCamino]

I put the NAPA box in my 71. Not sure why guys would use a jeep box, except maybe they could find one in a junk yard cheaper. The NAPA box is rebuilt, guaranteed, dependable and looks like the original.

Bill,
Does the NAPA box retain the original rag joint and hoses? Got a part number?

 

[Bill Rose]

Bill,
Does the NAPA box retain the original rag joint and hoses? Got a part number?

Bill, This was 5 years ago, and I don't have the receipt for the part number. I know I didn't have to do anything to the rag joint or the hoses. It was a direct bolt in. It's basically an original box, but it's rebuilt with 2&1'2 turnes.

 

[bulb122]

I( think the advantage is mostly cost, if you can find a use Jeep box. I got a used one shipped to me from a member for $60. If I would have found my own in a yard, it'd been even cheaper.

The other thing I read, was the 93-98 GC boxes have a slightly bigger torsion bar inside them, meaning they should have slightly higher effort at the steering wheel. I wanted this, because I don't like the "overboosted" feeling typical of older GM products.

 

[von]

I( think the advantage is mostly cost, if you can find a use Jeep box. I got a used one shipped to me from a member for $60. If I would have found my own in a yard, it'd been even cheaper.

The other thing I read, was the 93-98 GC boxes have a slightly bigger torsion bar inside them, meaning they should have slightly higher effort at the steering wheel. I wanted this, because I don't like the "overboosted" feeling typical of older GM products.

But the only way you can come out on cost is if you pirate a used rag joint for cheap from certain vehicles. A new one is minimum $80 (from Lee Mfg). You can get the hose adapters for $8 from Lee.

 

[bulb122]

Good point Von. I forgot about the $75 rag joint..... Although I have read about people finding them in junkyards too, or making their own out of a couple of old ones.

 

[kacp-o]

I agree with Chris - yes, you can drop a box with quick ratio in, but it will not have the feel of the Jeep box. My primary goal when I did the Jeep conversion was to improve the feel of the steering and the difference is night and day with the Jeep box. The total cost ended up being about the same...

If you want a reman'd box, cardone has a jeep box at checker/advance for about 120 bucks. It'll cost you 50 bucks more than the quick-ratio NAPA box when you are all done with Lee etc, but you'll have both the quick ratio, the feel of a modern car, and a reman'd box.

If I was doing it all over again, I think I would have gone this route instead of the junkyard box.

 

[Alwhite00]

I got a Jeep box for $42.00 shipped & a rag joint for $10.00 shipped. (78 Chevy P.U. I believe) I was in the process of converting to a serpentine drive (89 Chevy P.U.) so I just used the P.U. hose (with o-ring) Works excellent & I got $52.00 into it. It's about 2.75 turns but the big change is the road feel, Not over powered at all like the original box. - Watch out for some of the camaro & G body boxes as they don't have the correct sweep for a A body.
I also sold the original Jeep pitman arm for $15.00 so I actually have $37.00 into it.

LK