Choosing a power steering gearbox.. to go high end or not?

[1000rrstunna]

I am looking for a new gearbox for my 69... the frame seems to be clearanced for the power steering unit... I was looking at a redhead or the AGR performance boxes but they are about 450$... how are people getting along with the A1 cardone rebuilds ? I am not about cutting corners nor am i about throwing an extra 350$ out the window on a power steering box.... I am using a gm type 2 pump with the Billet Specialties Tru-trac serpentine kit that I have it flows 3 Gallons per minute at 1200 psi... this should be more than enough to power the stock steering gear correct? any advice and experiences appreciated.

thanks

[Lou Boffa]

I installed an AGR variable ratio box and pump about a year ago. Best upgrade I've made in terms of driving enjoyment. Good road feel. Solid steering.

[1972BlueC20]

I just ordered a CPP 14:1 quick ratio 500 series box. $380

I'll let you know how I like it, installing this coming Sunday probably.

I'll be going from manual to power steering....no matter what I put on there it will be a big difference.

[Kell]

My opinion is like most "performance" upgrades, this is way overpriced.

Did a reman IROC box on my 70 firebird a couple of years ago, DIRT CHEAP and performance was great. Quick ratio with more steering resistance. Any "modern" steering box is going to feel better than the old ones.

[65 C20]

I have a 65 and went with the Cardone rebuilt.
No problems.
I am not sure about the 69 but you may have to weld on an additional 1/4" spacers to the frame where the bolt holes are for clearance on the P/S box, just like thick washers.
Maybe someone with that year can chime in and clear that up.
Looks like 1972BlueC20 is doing it this weekend so he should know.
I am with you on not spending extra money if not needed.
P/S is the best thing I have done to the truck.
Makes those parking lots much easier to navigate.

[1972BlueC20]

Originally Posted by 65 C20

I have a 65 and went with the Cardone rebuilt.
No problems.
I am not sure about the 69 but you may have to weld on an additional 1/4" spacers to the frame where the bolt holes are for clearance on the P/S box, just like thick washers.
Maybe someone with that year can chime in and clear that up.
Looks like 1972BlueC20 is doing it this weekend so he should know.
I am with you on not spending extra money if not needed.
P/S is the best thing I have done to the truck.
Makes those parking lots much easier to navigate.

I'm not sure but it's either 67 or 69 needs to have the bumper bracket notched out a little for clearance when switching to PS from manual steering.

My 72 should bolt right up with no issues I've been told. We shall see this weekend, I will report back.

[1000rrstunna]

thanks for all the great replies! i'm looking forward to the experience with the cpp unit. as far as i know the 69 and up don't need any mods to the frame inorder to get the unit to fit...

[1972BlueC20]

Originally Posted by 1000rrstunna

thanks for all the great replies! i'm looking forward to the experience with the cpp unit. as far as i know the 69 and up don't need any mods to the frame inorder to get the unit to fit...

this is the one I ordered. Heard good things.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/clp-cp50014

[65 C20]

Originally Posted by 1972BlueC20

this is the one I ordered. Heard good things.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/clp-cp50014

If you look at the discription for the above box it states that it has cast in bosses that eliminate the need for external brackets and shims.
I believe that for A1 Cordone you would need the shims.

[67ChevyRedneck]

Originally Posted by 1000rrstunna

thanks for all the great replies! i'm looking forward to the experience with the cpp unit. as far as i know the 69 and up don't need any mods to the frame inorder to get the unit to fit...

It's actually 68 and up, but even some early 68's had the "flat" frame area under the box.

It's been a long time since I drove one of these with PS, but from what I remember with the stock box you could turn the wheel with one finger. The advantage you get with the quicker ratio boxes is that the wheels turn faster with less turns of the steering wheel, I don't believe there is any change to the "effort" other than turning the wheel more times.

I've had a stock 1972 complete set up sitting in the corner of the garage for the past 6+ years... waiting on me to dimple the frame...

[hdff]

i replaced my old box with a Red Head, have been happy with it so far. They did not recommend the quick ratio so I went with stock ratio. It's good to me!!

[leddzepp]

I used Cardone from a local autozone. Works great, no leaks for years now. It was around $120 with exchange iirc.

[CastIron]

I got one off of a mid 70's C10 and it bolted right up to my 69 GMC. I went from manual steering to power. I don't see any big advantage to getting a "high performance" steering gear for normal street driving. In my opinion, the best way to assure good performance is to make sure to keep the truck well maintained. In other words, replace any worn parts before you upgrade to performance parts.

[1972BlueC20]

Originally Posted by hdff

i replaced my old box with a Red Head, have been happy with it so far. They did not recommend the quick ratio so I went with stock ratio. It's good to me!!

did someone tell you NOT to get the quick ratio?

I may have heard wrong, but I was told that a quicker ratio unit is more like a later model 80's box and that it will have more road feel. I heard the original boxes on these trucks where weird feeling and lacked road feedback.

I may be completely wrong.

Well, either way...I've already ordered the box and if I don't like it I will send it back and get an A1 Cardone from Autozone or the like. They are def cheaper but I don't mind spending money on good parts...Im already so upside down on this truck I can never sell it even if I wanted....couldn't stand to take that kinda loss!

[1000rrstunna]

some great information in here! I will wait for your results 72' im in no hurry frame is still at the sandblaster!

[joeydurango]

Redhead all the way. I went stock ratio on the shortbed, trying out the quick ratio on the longbed - haven't rolled it out of the garage yet but I'm expecting it to drive great!

[davepl]

All I know for sure is I have the original box and it's about 50 turns lock to lock. If you have power steering and the option for a faster ratio, I'd recommend it.

In my Camaro I have a Saginaw 500 series box (200s Tahoe, basically) and its got a nice feel, good on-center, generally "newer" feeling than the old box.

[BigMike]

^^^LOL! Mine is the same thing. Feels more like I'm steering a school bus. I will eventually get the AGR quick ratio setup. Mine is actually 4 turns lock to lock & I hate it. The AGR one is a more modern ratio from what they told me (been a while). My son's 72 Nova is 2.5 lock to lock and handles amazing from a steering aspect.

Initially I was going to go with a CPP 500 series...until I read the reviews online, no thank you.

[67 chevelle]

I put a 78 box in my 68 , its faster , less turns , and has different valving , to stiffen the steering in the centered position , payed around 100 bucks for it , works excellent

[1972BlueC20]

Originally Posted by BigMike

^^^LOL! Mine is the same thing. Feels more like I'm steering a school bus. I will eventually get the AGR quick ratio setup. Mine is actually 4 turns lock to lock & I hate it. The AGR one is a more modern ratio from what they told me (been a while). My son's 72 Nova is 2.5 lock to lock and handles amazing from a steering aspect.

Initially I was going to go with a CPP 500 series...until I read the reviews online, no thank you.

what is the problem with the CPP 500 box? I can't seem to find any bad reviews after doing a few google searches.

Just wondering since I am expecting this box to arrive Friday and it wasn't cheap.

Thanks

[67ChevyRedneck]

Originally Posted by 67 chevelle

I put a 78 box in my 68 , its faster , less turns , and has different valving , to stiffen the steering in the centered position , payed around 100 bucks for it , works excellent

Sounds good, that's what I remember, is that the wheel too easily moves side to side.

So why the 78? I looked up the p/n and they're a 77-79 truck part. Just a good mix of ratio, etc. that fits without modifications? Do the stock 68-72 hoses work/fit?

[BigMike]

I googled it over a year or so ago. Many were complaining about leaking issues months after install, some were excess play and others were the box was way too tight feeling. Most of the issues IIRC were with Tri-fives, Novas and Camaros Series 500. When I did my research it was enough to sway me from getting one. And I am a big CPP fan with a lot of their parts on my truck. It seems like a relatively low number that have issues so you possibly won't have any problems. If I get time I'll see what I can find on them again.

[68ls1]

I like my AGR, good improvement over the stock box

[67 chevelle]

The 78 box has worked flawlessly for me , direct replacement from what I can recall , I had a cpp 500 box in a chevelle it was "ok" , very stiff at first , got better with time

[dirish]

I put a redhead quick ratio box, from a vendor on this site.
Best investment so far! My Blazer is now fun to drive, before
It was sketchy at best.