The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Difference in 1969 through 1984 steering boxes

Most steering upgrades to power steering for the 1947-1955 1st series calls for a '68-up till about '86 GM Saginaw steering box... with all the power steering kits I see from American Classis and Classic Performance Parts. (I like CCP' write up on the conversion. Very well done.

I've been checking the #'s at Advance to see what one would cost and found that
1968-1976 use the same part #........$152 plus $75 core
1977-1979 use same but diff part#... $139 plus $50 core
1980-1986 use same but diff part#... $152 plus $125 core

I looked all these up for a 1/2ton C-10 half ton pickup.
(well I think one of the '80's was a G-10)

All that to ask one simple question. WHATS THE DIFFERENCE?

I couldn't view all of them at one time but they all looked the same to me as I looked them up individually.

If they all have the same bolt pattern and will work then what year would you choose? The latest year??....what ever the difference it must be what changes the core charge.

OOOOOK, lets here from the guys who know! I'm waiting on answer before buying a steering box.

Here's all I know. I put a mid 70's C20 (3/4 ton) box in my 64 C10 and the steering ratio was almost too tight. It would react to any little movement of the steering wheel. The truck I got it from had the large split rim wheels on it so it must of had the closer ratio than the smaller trucks. Once I got used to it, I liked it,
Scott

I thought the same thing dinking around with some that I had laying around. Turns out a 1/2" difference looks the same until you measure them...

So I guess I dont know!

Jeff

Scott, some of those Saginaw power steering boxes have a tall tooth on the center of the worm gear. It makes for a very quick response just off the center point, and the ratio slows down as you approach the end of the helix. I think the variable-rate design originally came out on Cadillacs, and pretty soon it was adopted all across the GM carlines. Not too sure about when they started putting them on trucks. It made for very quick lane changes while still allowing a good mechanical advantage for parking maneuvers.
Jerry

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php
I'm not sure what the differences are but I used one for a 69 C10 and it works fine. I know they have a close ratio one too. I believe 77 and up have metric hose fittings, which means your power steering pump would have to match.
I bought mine from the above link. It's $124.99 plus $75. core charge for one from A1Cardone, which is the one I used. I bought parts from different part sources but in hindsight I would have been better off buying a complete kit. I think it cost me more doing it this way, but I'm very pleased with the outcome. Brothers sells the complete kit too.
Joe

1980 up had different fittings for the hose connections. They went to an o-ring type. Some where they had a different dia. shaft that connects to the column but you can use the corresponding rag joint.

Thanks guys. I think I'm gonna shoot for somewhere around 70-72 and I'm gonna use the 68 steering column a friend gave me. My nephew has a core I can use and I get hoses/sectors ect at Advance with my discount. I'll get one of those conversion kits that has the drag link,bracket ect from one of the vendors......
Right after I get some of the "small stuff" back on the panel and out of the way!

EDIT: correct the year of steering column I"m using