Would like to update the steering box as I build my 5W. I've been told that the Vega box is not strong enough for a car that heavy. Reading ads about steering they just mention a GM box. I do not see any GM boxes listed anywhere. Would appreciate some help. Thanks !!
Why not use a 37 & up ford box, they are 17 to 1, and have a rolling sector shaft. Darn near a bolt in
Jeep Cherokee XJ 84-01 Power Steering Gear Box Factory Free Shipping | eBay 7809957 PITMAN ARM- PONTIAC FULL SIZE- 1971-74 | eBay Borgeson Universal 023431 Borgeson Universal Steering U-Joints | Summit Racing Borgeson 990008 Steering Column Shaft 843975006994 | eBay 10 reasons why 1. the 71 pontiac pitman arm is 7 degrees = early ford goes straight on - you need to narrow the drag link by removing a few threads off each tie rod end, the long and the short, so you have a turn on each... 2. the pitman arm is the perfect length at 6.3 inches long. between the 5 and 7 of the steering arm = stock length 3. the 71 pontiac power steering arm goes straight onto the jeep box sector shaft as they use the same saginaw 800 1 1/8 = bonus is they are clocked straight ahead on the master splines as they came from a jeep. 4. the steering box ratio is perfect at 1 and 1/4 each way 2.5 total - just like your new car. 14 to 1 i think 5. you can mount it through the frame like on a jeep 6. the double joint lets you kick it over just enough. 7. the shaft is 31.25 inches long, when combined is the perfect length for steering wheel position /\ 8. you can use the stock column drop. 9 will come through the toe board / firewall stock 10. the driving position is stock 11. lets you use a smaller diameter steering wheel 12. lets you go to a wider front tire 13. lessens by far steering effort, if you increase the castor 14. lets you run a stock gm steering wheel even a real smell 15 inch one 15. is just like doing a power steering conversion on a stock 57 chevy. 16. is relatively inexpensive. 17. the power steering hoses are available stock being metric m16 m18 is lots and lots of configurations 18. lets you utilise a stock return line power steering fluid cooler
When I updated the steering under my 40 coupe I used the complete bolt on mounting bracket from Pete & Jake's which replaces the stock steering mount. I used the short shaft 525 Borgeson box with P&J's pit man arm. Since I had a 350 trans I used an IDIDIT column shift tilt column. It tucked in nice and tight to the dash and looks good. Everything lined up good and I connected the column to the box with a pair of U joints mounted end to end with a stub shaft between them. Also using a 16 inch Limeworks 40 wheel. Drove it about 5k since the change and it goes down the road good.
terry k- The GM ' "525" box works great. If you like, have a look at this one on Ford Barn. I still have it if you decide you are interested, but the pics will show you what they look like. https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=327739&highlight=borgeson+525
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