New Steering Box - Info - 69 Camaro

[Jkinder33]

Hello. Been doing a bunch of reading on here lately. Lots and lots of info. I have a 69 camaro rs that id like to get driving nice. Engine and exhaust are good to go so now im looking at handling. Its drives like a loosy goosy right now. After reading i think id like to start with a new close/quick turn gear box. What are the brands and ratios youd experts would suggest? After that im thinking tru turn system/shocks/wheels and tires. Probably have to do brakes at that time also

thanks

J

[dhutton]

I'm not an expert but the 600 boxes are regarded as the best. However the castings are in short supply and the price has risen. TurnOne has them in stock:

https://www.turnone-steering.com/collections/power-steering-gears/products/performance-model

A lower cost option is the AGR 12:1 box:

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/agr-492117/overview/year/1969/make/chevrolet/model/camaro

Don

[Rod]

the lower cost AGR box works well, 12.1 ...with any quick ratio box dont go smaller than a 13-14 inch steering wheel the steering feel to darty

[ctcz28]

I'd look through the posts in the Team Camaro site at Camaros.net for some recommendations and I'd give the Steering Technology Group a call. Tom Lee is the master of power steering (I have one of his boxes) and he is back at STC and can help you out. Check out:
http://www.steertechgrp.com/

[Rod]

Hello. Been doing a bunch of reading on here lately. Lots and lots of info. I have a 69 camaro rs that id like to get driving nice. Engine and exhaust are good to go so now im looking at handling. Its drives like a loosy goosy right now. After reading i think id like to start with a new close/quick turn gear box. What are the brands and ratios youd experts would suggest? After that im thinking tru turn system/shocks/wheels and tires. Probably have to do brakes at that time also

thanks

J

Hey J

I know you said the car is "loosy goosy" ...so what are you starting with? is it all stock suspension, are the ball joints, tie rods and bushings in good shape how is the idler arm also, wheels and tire sizes? current brake set up? budget? objective of the car now? I could spew opinion but i really want to give you solid advice

[Jkinder33]

Hello. I take the car to a local guy and he said the joints tie rods and bushings are in good shape. Idler is also good. All are stock. I'll have to get back to you on wheel and tire sizes but I plan on upgrading to 18 inch wheels. Brakes are disc in front and drum in rear. Objective is to get the car handling and driving nice. Not high end expensive stuff but solid reputable parts installed properly. I'm planning on doing in chunks of $1000 -$ 3000 at a time. Do a steering box and maybe a couple other things. Then maybe do tru turn with drop spindles. Then do wheels tires. That's my plan this far but i still need to learn a lot.

[Dark Pursuit]

An early 90s IROC Z gear box was my choice, 14 -1 variable ratio and turn stops similar to original box that will just keep tires from your frame. Install will require a change of rag joint and adapter fittings fr line connections.

[minendrews68]

If the ball joints, idler arm, etc are original, even though the mechanic said they're fine I would probably replace them. Also look at the upper and lower control arm bushings as well as the sway arm bushings if so equipped. Rodney is right, there is a lot to look at besides the steering box for a loose feeling front end.

[Jkinder33]

If the ball joints, idler arm, etc are original, even though the mechanic said they're fine I would probably replace them. Also look at the upper and lower control arm bushings as well as the sway arm bushings if so equipped. Rodney is right, there is a lot to look at besides the steering box for a loose feeling front end.

I agree with what your saying. If like to do this in chunks. I figured id start with the steering box, rag joint, pitman arm. I could probably repplace the ball joints, idler arm, and bushing because i dboubt there all that expensive. I dont want to redo anything twice. Ive been looking at the tru turn with drop spindles. Ill have to check and see if ridetech makes sway bar and idler arm. Does the tru turn work with stock upper and lower control arms?

[Jkinder33]

OK so i need to tweak my plan as tru turn is out. Tru turn requirs ridetech everything to work. Uppers lowers coil shocks. I cant piece it together. I think my plan may have to move to 1) Steering box / rag joint/ pitman arm/ idler arm/ sway bar/ tie rod replacement. Replace bushing upper and lower. 2) 2nd phase - drop spindles to lower 2" new coils and shocks. Need to also get into rear end also. 3) New wheels and tires. If anyone has suggestions on brands and how to build this its appreciated. Looking to get nice ride without breaking bank. thanks again

[chpr1972]

If you are building this for a driver here is my 2 cents and what I did to my 66 Lemans. differentcar but very simular. Use a 93/98 Jeep Grand Cherokee steering box. there are plenty of post if you do a search. They are cheep in the junk yards and they say some rebuilts are not a 12.7/1 ratio. Use a 80 Camaro rag joint and steering box adapters from Earl's{Holly}. Use a after market upper control arm so you can add a lot of caster. Rebuild the bottom control arm with good bushings. I used a Heidi's 2' dropped tall spindle to keep more tire on road during turns I have 1' dropped Hoskist springs with 1/2 spacers and 245/40/r17 tire that are 24.4" tall [stock tires are about 26' tall] My front crossmember is the height of a 4x4 off the ground. That low makes speed bumps with Hooker Comp headers a challenge!So do not forget to add every thing together when you build it. The rest of the front end is stock rebuilt. I wanted to use a T/A front sway bar but it will not work with my setup. A word of advice, if it is a nice driver you do not need all the fancy stuff to have a nice ride. The QA's I have stiffened the ride up from a nice pair of stock over the counter shocks I had. You have leaf springs on the rear, I have coils. For the street I would recommend you go with a dropped leaf spring setup. Do your home work, use the search engines on this and other web sites. For a cruiser , save your money and do not buy into all the hype. Also part of you loose goose steering may be the alignment. Too much toe in with make the car dart!. Do not use more than a 1/32 toe in on the car. I aligned these cars when they were new and the factory spec was too much toe-in.

[JEFFTATE]

I'm using a 1992 Iroc Z box in mine, GM pn 88998778. They're discontinued through GM now , but you may use the pn and get one off the Internet. You have to use a different steering coupler ( rag joint ) and power steering lines, but they drive well . The steering feel is good .
I also second the RideTech TrueTurn system , it works well

[MuscleRodz]

DSE has new 600 boxes available again

[sixty7velle]

I have a 67 chevelle with stock suspension, steering, and steering wheel. Used the AGR 12:1 box and it helped a ton over a worn-out 605 box. Also have an AGR box on my cj7 with currie linkages with never an issue and steers better than a stock tj. Has a smaller steering wheel but the touchiness is taken out by the 38's. With that said, it would be hard for me to pay more than 400 for a steering box if it isn't for racing.