Power steering?

Has anyone used a chevy style steering box? i have one off a 77 camaro and it looks like the saggy.

 

thanks Sparky, also whats the diff in people using 4 bolt box and not 3 bolt box? After thinking this though what do you guys think would be the best, a chevy style box or a saggy? will the pump from the camaro work with other boxes? as always i am on a budget trying to get power steering done while i have the motor out fixing the head gaskets(leaking oil) and the clutch( release bearing broke last week). trying to get ready for some fall wheeling while i have the time. Thanks for the help!!

 

i was thinking about calling the junk yard tomarrow. ? is will a YJ box work? will a TJ box work?

 

A chevy Camaro box is a Saginaw box its just a faster ratio box. Try one off of a large Chevy, Buick, Olds or Pontiac car. A Caprice, Olds 88-98 or a Pontiac Catalina or Grand Prix, thats what mines off of, any of the large cars should be fine. if you find one off of a Jeep thats fine too. The pumps so long as there a standard power steering pump that fits your engine they should work, you may have custom lines when you're done but thats fine also. My lines are a flare on one end and o-ring fitting on the other end.

 

the fast ratio works pretty well at slow speeds but if your jeep sees any hyway time it's at that speed you'll see they're a bit "quick" really not conducive to a vehicle with a high center of gravity. I've used saginaw boxes off of mid size and full size back into the sixties if you find a good one. Stay away fron the truck box.

 

I use a fast ratio box. I kind of like it. Yes it is a little fast for the freeway, but it works great off road. You don't have to turn the steering wheel so much. If you do use a fast box. Just make sure all the steering parts are good and you'll be fine.

 

is the chevy box diff then the jeep one in size? if so do any of you guys have pics of the chevy style box mounted? also does the length of the pitman arm have anything to do with how quick it turns? would a shorter one make it somewhat slower?

 

thanks guys. always so helpful!!

 

Note that the pitman arm does not affect the speed ratio of the gear box, however, it does affect your overall speed ratio.

A longer pitman arm will make your tire turn angle move more for the same steering wheel input.

 

so would a shorter arm make it not so "touchy"? because it would move less with the same steering wheel input?

 

Yes, kinda........ an arm with a mount closer to the center of the turn will, but it is not really an option though because you will run into interferance problems at full lock.

 

I had too change to a shorter arm because I would hit the stops and it would try to force the axle over. The other reason was the longer arm had a bigger hole in the end for the tie-rod. Work great now.

Keep in mine that a 4 bolt box has a larger shaft then a 3 bolt box. Found this out the hard way.

 

Scott, do you have any pics of you swap? what did you get a short arm off of?

 

I don't. Sorry. The pitman arm I got new from a local 4x4 shop. It's a straight arm from a Jeep. Not sure of witch model. I just brought in my old one. Told them I wanted one that had a smaller hole and... Well you get the picture. Sorry I can't be more help.