manual Saginaw steer gear

It would appear 6:1 ratios are a dime a dozen. Do any of you know what donor vehicles most likely may have the lower ratio.

 

Lower numerically? I'd advise against it and use one from a Jeep, or maybe from a S-10 4x4?

 

The C3 manual Vette boxes are about 3.6 turns lock to lock, but the ratio is actually 16:1. Not sure what you mean by a 6:1 Jeep box. The Vette boxes will work-IF you have 31" or smaller tires AND NEVER EVERget any fingers or thumbs inside the spokes on the steering wheel. If you do, you will be sorry. You will also develop some upper body strength if you use one of those without the power cylinder.

Contrary to popular opinion, the Vette boxes actually work very well on the road, and with the power cylinder, work well off road. With the power cylinder, tire size is no longer a factor nor are missing digits.

 

Timgr & Duffer - thanks for your advice. Not being familiar with s/gear ratios, the 6:1 ment 6 turns stop to stop. Ease of steering and tracking with the manual Sag is quite satisfactory. Numer of turns at intersections and slow return to center are not. All steering components from knuckles to gear are new including a reman gear & spring bushings. 6* caster. Based on Duffers replay, I researched C3 Vet manual gears. Since offroad/trail use are not in the future, it would appear issues with "armstrong steering" & recoil may not be a concern. My questions are these: With the C3 manual gear, would ease of steering be enhanced by the use of a 2 hole knuckle? Is there a C3 pump adaptible to the 225? Are there power Sag's with 4+/- turns stop to stop?

 

The C3 box is typical Saginaw 3 bolt box, just a few less turns lock to lock and they have a long sector shaft so they can be mounted with the input running above the frame rail and the pitman arm below it, which makes a straight shot for the steering shaft from the base of the steering column to the box. I think if you had a body lift, the shaft will go under the grill without any modifications but something you would need to check. I installed the one in my 3B before any body lift and did notch the bottom of the grill for shaft clearence. You can still purchase a brand new C3 box from most of the Corvette suppliers such as Eckler's along with all new other associated PS components. If you do go this route, you can use it manual and add power later if you want too. The drag link will be the only thing that will require modification for mounting the PS control valve.

These boxes use the same PS pump as other Saginaw PS units, just the control valve and hydraulic assist cylinder instead of an intregal box. Down side if you do add power is there is a lot more potential for leaks with twice as many hoses and the external control valve. Plus side is you can use aftermarket assist cylinders and place them where ever you want too. It is also probably at least 10 to 15 lbs lighter than an intregal box.

The C3 box will work with a double TRE just like other Saginaw conversions, but a 2 hole knuckle does make a better installation and eliminates potential spring interference with the double end.

 

another option for the c3 covette power steering sutup is factory 1967 chevy c10/20/30 but the box is the standard 6 turn lock to lock the only problem with that steering system is it is expensive $400 for the control valve from o'reilly's (it went up $200 since i bought one for my 67 chevy c20 a year ago) and i paid 150 for the ram

but you might beable to get them from the junkyard

 

Path of least resistance if you want power is one from a CJ, YJ Wrangler, XJ, FSJ, or Dodge Dakota.


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You may want to take a few minute to review this sticky http://www.earlycj5.com/forums/showthread.php?17911-Saginaw-power-steering-(pics)-please-add-yours!! located near the top of the builds and fabricators forum.