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miker129 · 10-07-2005, 12:06 PM

I'm looking for a quick ratio steering box for my 68 GTO. Can anyone comment on the boxes offered by PY or Ames? How about parts stores like Napa, etc.? How do they compare with having the existing box rebuilt by one of the restoration services?

Not concerned with correct factory markings or anything like that, just a quicker-turn-to-turn ratio and better road feel.

Thanks,

Mike

marxjunk · 10-07-2005, 12:54 PM

The fastest sagiaw box on a production vehicle, believe it or not, is on a jeep cherokee, the little jeep suv. Blts on to a GTO, your power steer pitman arm bolts onto it.Steering column bolts to it. One problem, the old power steer hoses need an adapter, cuz your going from flair fitting to bubble fitting. IF you use your old pump.Lee manufacturing makes an adapter for a few bucks.
It's even a faster box than the latter Mone Carlo SS, I have a link to a web site that breaks it all down on my old desktop, i will try to get it. I know it works, theres one on my 66 GS, i drive it hard and it's almost squirley...lol
kinda vette fast, I put bigger/wider tires on it and ya can turn on a dime and give 9 cents change!
You have to upgrade your pump too, the faster box needs more fluid, it took the pump from the jeep and it slipped ito my resivoir, so no need for the adpters, really a bolt in, cost me 75 bucks at a yard. Make sure it's the little square jeep cherokee, the grand cherokee is slower.

firehawk408 · 10-07-2005, 12:57 PM

Would this swap also work for a 2nd gen bird. I would be interested in doing this on my 73 firebird. Thanks.

marxjunk · 10-07-2005, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by firehawk408

Would this swap also work for a 2nd gen bird. I would be interested in doing this on my 73 firebird. Thanks.

YES, any GM with a saginaw box. Works on 67-69 Birds too, the sector shft on Sags, have 4 symetrical keys, ya just turn the pitman around on it's axis for front steer or rear steer.

firehawk408 · 10-07-2005, 02:31 PM

That is great news. Any idea what year jeeps to go for. Thanks.

marxjunk · 10-07-2005, 04:01 PM

90's is what i remeber, i just look for the little square ones, and pull it all, The one on my GS is from a 2 door 2 wd.I am trying to find the link with all the info, it is on my old desk top, i will hook'er back up and find it tonight and post it (i said hooker)
mark

toddmoll · 10-09-2005, 10:35 PM

Look here www.chevelles.com/techref/ftecref29.html

Todd

Rugratman · 10-10-2005, 09:46 AM

Miker, on my 67 GTO, I used a quick ratio box, out of a Grand National, Got it at Napa, Bolted right in, They will need your old as a core.

Now, I was given the tip on the grand national box, by a poster here, but it might be the same as other GM quick's. Drives like a dream. No mod's will be needed.
You will need a pitman arm puller too, Napa has them too, even though Jegs/ summitt has them too, and they are cheaper. I only used it for about 1 minute anyway.
I needed to get a new rag joint too, but PY has them.
Happy Steering.....Very easy to do.

bobbyj1 · 10-10-2005, 10:24 AM

I got mine from partsamerica.com was a direct bolt in, looks just like the old one, was a Cardone, $128

Junkyard Dog · 10-10-2005, 06:26 PM

WHich one did you get, Jeep, or GN?

Jeff Hamlin · 10-10-2005, 08:02 PM

Bobby,
Was that Cardone a quick steer box? If so, how many turns lock to lock.
I was over at the PA site & they offer no info on site.
Box I found was PT#276537 is that the one you used?
Thanks.
Jeff

retrojoe · 10-10-2005, 08:43 PM

I bought mine from a guy Named Colin out of Az. I will have to dig around to find his address... He was pretty fairly priced. I think I paid $135.00 for mine????

firehawk408 · 10-10-2005, 08:51 PM

The jeep box needs different line fittings, is this also true for the GN box or not?

miker129 · 10-10-2005, 08:59 PM

I went to the partsamerica site and the part number is indeed the same for a 68 GTO and the Grand National for the cardone box. $128 is a great price. How is the "feel" with these boxes?" I'd like to get something that feels a little stiffer than the stock box too. My stock 68 is just too easy to turn.

firehawk408 · 10-11-2005, 12:22 AM

If a GN box bolts right into the older GM cars I would assume the PT#276550 would be the one to get. That is the box used when the vehicle is setup with performance suspension packages. I would assume that would be the box with a quicker ratio right? This is also the same box that is used on the third gen camaros, again with the performace suspension packages. Do these late model boxs use the same type of fluid line fittings as our older vehicles¿?

Rugratman · 10-11-2005, 09:36 AM

Direct bolt in. Fittings, Steering shaft for the pitman arm, bolts everything....
The steering is not stiff, it turns very easy. But the stops are the same, and I think it was 2.8 turns.....
Napa has them in stock, don't pay the frieght, those suckers are heavy.

bobbyj1 · 10-11-2005, 11:29 AM

Mine was part number 276509, it was a quick ratio around 3 turns lock to lock. Steering effort is no different, just as "easy" as it was before, just less turning. All lines ect were identical to original a direct bolt in. I have a 67 GTO with Power Steering. Shipping with a power steering pump as well was $11

pugslyx234 · 10-11-2005, 08:00 PM

So bobbyj1 you like your new box or would you have liked to try a box from a jeep?

marxjunk · 10-11-2005, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toddmoll

Look here www.chevelles.com/techref/ftecref29.html

Todd

Thats the link, GN bolts in but has bubble fittings, as does the Jeep, Lee manufacturing makes the adapter for like 10 bucks, 3rd gen camaro has the wrong stops, the thing wont turn completey, takes a mile to turn around. My car has the Jeep. Feels tighter, but not "hard" I love it. I have used the Monte SS/and GN/Grand Prix boxes, and this one feels better, the Jeep that is. Fast box for the Monte and GN is FA and is stamped on the box, My buddy has a 3rd gen z-28 box on his 442, couldn't drive it, he sent it to Lee manufacturing and the changed the stops, for 4oo freakin bucks. AND it is no faster than the Jeep...haha. Save the money, buy a jeep box! When ya go ask for it they dont get that, I'm gonna rape ya look! I tried to buy a Monte Box, and got laughed out the yard! The Jeep bolts on, all of it, but ya need the little adapter from Lee, got less than a $100, and my car drives like....well i dont know, it just drives awesome!

toddmoll · 10-11-2005, 10:51 PM

I just finished the upgrade on my 66. I found a box from an 88 Caprice F41 WZ box and ordered a seal kit from Lee Mfg. I also ordered the seats to press in the new box to use my original lines from Lee and used a rag joint from an 81 Chevy Truck. The box was pretty easy to take apart and reassemble but I had to make one tool to hold the bearings in. I waited to find the higher effort box and it was well worth the wait. I like the feedback the higher effort gives and it feels like rack and pinion steering, feels like it is locked in when the wheels are straight when driving. It is kind of hard to discribe but like marxjunk said "Awesome!". The total cost was only $75.00 including the parts from Lee.

Todd.

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