Hot Rods shoebox vega steering box

Has anybody tried to install a new Vega Style Steering box in a 1950 Ford Custom Convertible? It's got Fenton Header and aluminum heads as well. Or just rebuild existing box. Thanks

 

I dont know the weight of your car, but I'm willing to bet it's over the 2800# suggested max for a vega box. I just ordered one for my Falcon gasser and am a bit nervous about it myself. The Falcon was well below that weight from the factory, but I'm adding a small block mopar and the 833 4speed is made of iron. Plus a roll cage and Quickchange axle that doesn't weigh as much as other popular rears, but is certainly heavier than the anemic rear that came stock.

I'm really hoping to not bust 2900 lbs.

I plan to take some steering angle out of it with longer steering arms. Maybe the leverage increase and skinny tires will help the Vega box cope.

-rick

 

Vega would be a pretty whimpy steering box for a Shoebox Ford. They are pretty much at their limit on a 28/34 Ford in a cross steer.

 

I looked into a saginaw 525.....I think borgeson sells a bolt on solution - nothing wrong with the stock box though unless you want PS

 

yes, look at Borgenson universal Saginaw 525 box. on summitracing.com , etc

 

Been many a mention on this forum about “new” Vega boxes as well. If that is what you’re set on, search this forum before hand.

 

I'm of the 525 Saginaw camp myself.

Shouldn't be that hard to find one of those gears. I'd rather have the 525 over the Vega from both a safety point of view and a vehicle weight view. I'd rather be safe than sorry...

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Thanks for the quick response everyone. With the headers I think we might just rebuild the existing box.

 

The good thing is the 525 isn't a lot bigger than a Vega gear. Nova's, camaro's, firebird, Lemans, gto's, chevelles all used the 525 manual box.

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Used a NOS 525 inplace of Vega on my 32. 525 was free. Not much
Different in size. Input shaft is longer.