The stock gear box will work fine when properly set, it can be a little hard to steer since the gear on gear inside and the ratio is pretty quick. If you run narrow front tires with plenty of air and if you don't hang a big block in front, it won't be to bad.
A good up date is a Chevrolet '40 - '46 truck steering box. They will bolt in the frame just as yours does, but the steering wheel will be a little different off set (closer to your chest by a inch or so). The internals are ball bearings on gears and the ratio is slower which all makes for nicer driving. I put one in my '37 and it works great. I cut the shaft off the '40 box and welded on the '37 shaft so I could keep my stock steering wheel and horn parts. I cut the shaft about 2" from the top.
1941-'46 steering wheels are hard to find in good shape, something about the material they used just doesn't hold up well, maybe something to do with the war, thats another reason I cut and welded on mine.
I drove with the '37 box for years, so don't be afraid of them.
Joe
Last edited by Joe H; 05/01/2011 3:51 PM.
