#1  
Old 09-18-2018, 06:56 PM
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bird72 bird72 is offline
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Default WS6 box in 70-73, anyone do?

So kinda stoked, pulled cover on steering box I've had stored for years and verified it is a WS6 (1978) constant ratio box. Upgraded sway bars to 1.25 and 7/8 F&R already so this WS6 unit should be nice. Have had a couple WS6 cars and liked the steering a lot. Anyone do this admittedly non stock upgrade? I know the rag joint metric thing, I seem to remember is technicality.

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  #2  
Old 09-19-2018, 08:51 PM
1965gp 1965gp is offline
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I put one in my 72 but haven’t finished it. What is the solution to the rag joint? I have a 79 column I might put in it.

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Old 09-20-2018, 11:16 AM
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Now I'm evaluating buying a fresh close ratio box vs going having WS6 box rebuilt. I need to do research on who freshens up these boxes and is reputable. Re rag joint, they used to sell adapter, but I would guess fabrication now. Another research point. Buying a fresh bolt in box might be smart, depending.....

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Old 09-20-2018, 11:34 AM
'ol Pinion head 'ol Pinion head is offline
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Power Steering Specialties in Springfield MO rebuilds the PS boxes. On the WS6 boxes, I started pulling them in the late 80's, when Pick-N-Pulls first arrived. have had well over 3 dozen '78, 79, & '80-81 WS6 boxes. Have never had a WS6 box that needed rebuilding, seems the T/A's I've pulled them out of had a lot less miles on them than what have been running across on Jeep GC's the last few years.

On the ragjoint, GM actually used a PS ragjoint during good part of '77 model year that mated the earlier style F-body column intermediate shaft with the later style splines on the later boxes, used to grab clean low wear ragjoints when i was pulling FS tilt column cores. Later square body GM pickups up through '87 used the same ragjoint.

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Old 09-20-2018, 11:39 AM
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bird72 bird72 is offline
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/\ THX brother! Good info there. Sounds like I should resolve the rag joint issue before proceeding. I kinda want to use WS6 box. My buddy is great at fabrication. Is this rag joint something that could be modded / made to work?

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Old 09-20-2018, 11:51 AM
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Ol Pinion, is this the place in MO

http://www.powersteering.com/

it is in Nixa (?)

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  #7  
Old 09-20-2018, 01:46 PM
'ol Pinion head 'ol Pinion head is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bird72 View Post
Ol Pinion, is this the place in MO

http://www.powersteering.com/

it is in Nixa (?)
Sorry mixed up Specialties, it was "Services"
Same folks, used them several times in the '00's

old link
https://www.theoldcarguys.com/resour...-services-inc/

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  #8  
Old 09-20-2018, 07:56 PM
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Use the WS6 box, you wont be disappointed!

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  #9  
Old 09-21-2018, 12:46 AM
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You might want to check out Lee Power Steering. Tom Lee built the shop specializing in race applications and had an outstanding rep for tailoring gearboxes for the feel you want. Tom retired and the shop shut down for a few months but it’s back up supposedly run by a friend of Tom’s with the same employees. Just before Tom retired I ordered a 12:1 CR Saginaw 800 box (basically WS-6 spec) with stiffer feel and custom stops that solved a problem with my front tires rubbing the torsion bar. (I originally wanted a 600 series Delphi but they’re rare as hens teeth). They can rebuild and/or customize your existing gear box and also PS pump. They can also set you up with the correct rag joint and hose adapters that you might need. Workmanship is top notch, no leaks and great feel. Not cheap but really good.

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Old 09-22-2018, 11:55 AM
1965gp 1965gp is offline
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If I use a 79 column, I should be able to just use the 79 rag joint to mate up to the WS6 box right?

  #11  
Old 09-22-2018, 10:09 PM
eaglesan13 eaglesan13 is offline
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Good info!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mace1971 View Post
You might want to check out Lee Power Steering. Tom Lee built the shop specializing in race applications and had an outstanding rep for tailoring gearboxes for the feel you want. Tom retired and the shop shut down for a few months but it’s back up supposedly run by a friend of Tom’s with the same employees. Just before Tom retired I ordered a 12:1 CR Saginaw 800 box (basically WS-6 spec) with stiffer feel and custom stops that solved a problem with my front tires rubbing the torsion bar. (I originally wanted a 600 series Delphi but they’re rare as hens teeth). They can rebuild and/or customize your existing gear box and also PS pump. They can also set you up with the correct rag joint and hose adapters that you might need. Workmanship is top notch, no leaks and great feel. Not cheap but really good.

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