Best A body steering components

[bikerman9967]

Doing a full ground up build on my 70 chevelle . I already have a stage 4 umi kit ready to go in, just unsure which steering parts to use ( center link tie rods, ext. ) hotckis sells a kit but not sure if its any good or not.

Also, which steering box? There are so many. Detroit speed makes a few , Delphi . I've heard of the jeep Cherokee swap too .

[andrewb70]

People have had great luck with the Jeep Grand Cherokee box swap. This would be the budget oriented swap.

Andrew

[bikerman9967]

Does the jeep box yield good performance?

[T-CHRGD]

If you are willing to wait for a custom build, the Lee steering box is as good as it gets!

[Typhoon1015]

I prefer proforged for steering components and a good Jeep Grand Cherokee steering box.

[raustinss]

Can any one tell me how is it a budget box...this is the thing that holds your steering wheel to the road so to say. A lee box is what about 400-600$ maybe been a while since I've looked. Is there really a value on that. Personally I don't see any or know of any reasons to put a jeep box on my Chevy

[andrewb70]

Can any one tell me how is it a budget box...this is the thing that holds your steering wheel to the road so to say. A lee box is what about 400-600$ maybe been a while since I've looked. Is there really a value on that. Personally I don't see any or know of any reasons to put a jeep box on my Chevy

Are you implying that a rebuilt Jeep box is somehow unsafe? The steering boxes are made by Saginaw...It just so happens that Jeep used the same box in the GC as is used in the a-bodies, you just have to use the a-body steering arm. The Jeep box is a 12.7:1 box. I am actually thinking about trying it in place of my AGR box because my AGR box is very high effort.

Andrew

[Proforged]

I prefer proforged for steering components and a good Jeep Grand Cherokee steering box.

We're partial to the Proforged parts as well :D

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/pof-116-10013/overview/year/1970/make/chevrolet/model/chevelle

[smhigh]

Lee!

[Nicks67GTO]

Are you implying that a rebuilt Jeep box is somehow unsafe? The steering boxes are made by Saginaw...It just so happens that Jeep used the same box in the GC as is used in the a-bodies, you just have to use the a-body steering arm. The Jeep box is a 12.7:1 box. I am actually thinking about trying it in place of my AGR box because my AGR box is very high effort.

Andrew

Ive got around $125 bucks in my JGC steering box swap and it is awesome. Im not sure why anyone with an A-body would want to spend $6-800 bucks on a high end box when this is available??? I think i paid $45 bucks for a cash for clunkers steering box {the car had not been hit which is key to getting a good box} $20 on the autozone rag joint, the lee fittings are $10 bucks and power steering pitman arm i got from a PY member for $45 bucks that was blasted and shot with newcast. If you already have a pitman arm your going to come in way under $100 bucks.

[Barrrf]

Rack and Pinion set up?

[csouth]

As Andrew said, get yourself a rebuilt Jeep Grand Cherokee or even a Buick Grand National steering box from Autozone or your local parts store. I have nothing against pulling parts from the junk yard, but when I weigh the cost of unknown used over rebuilt I'd just go with the rebuilt. I got mine from Autozone online because orders over $100 got free shipping and a $25 gift card. Order the Lee conversion rag joint and fittings and call it a day. Just make sure you keep the pitman arm from the old Chevelle P/S box. You would also be better removing the pitman arm while the box is still bolted down.

[jake72ss]

I have been considering the GC box for my chevelle, currently I have what is supposed to be a WS6 box from a late '70's Trans Am, its ratio is mutch quicker than the old one but there is little to no resistance, ive been told that there is a torsion bar in the box that affects the steering feel does anyone know the size of the torsion bar in the GC box especially comapared to other fast ratio boxes out there?
Thanks,
Jake

[andrewb70]

I have been considering the GC box for my chevelle, currently I have what is supposed to be a WS6 box from a late '70's Trans Am, its ratio is mutch quicker than the old one but there is little to no resistance, ive been told that there is a torsion bar in the box that affects the steering feel does anyone know the size of the torsion bar in the GC box especially comapared to other fast ratio boxes out there?
Thanks,
Jake

Jake,

I raed somewhere that the JGC box has a 1.9x t-bar, while some of the more high effort boxes have t-bars over 2. I don't know what any of this means, but I can tell you that my ARG box is almost too stiff.

Andrew

[69*Goat]

if you go with a Lee box, be prepared to wait 6+ weeks.

[raustinss]

Hey guys I'm not saying there is anything wrong with a new box...new is new but I personally would not put a used..possibly worn tired box in my car... i would then choose a new one. having said that yes if I could get a "same " box from auto zone or whomever I would definitely consider the price vs one from say Detroit speed or lee or ? . Going back to the used route I think that buying a used one and blasting it possibly rebuilding it etc... it might just be best to spend a Lil bit more and get one from DSE or lee.

[andrewb70]

Hey guys I'm not saying there is anything wrong with a new box...new is new but I personally would not put a used..possibly worn tired box in my car... i would then choose a new one. having said that yes if I could get a "same " box from auto zone or whomever I would definitely consider the price vs one from say Detroit speed or lee or ? . Going back to the used route I think that buying a used one and blasting it possibly rebuilding it etc... it might just be best to spend a Lil bit more and get one from DSE or lee.

Please define "lil" more....a rebuilt JGC box can be had for as little as $94. A Lee, AGR, or DSE box is 3-5 times more. That isn't exactly "lil" in my book....

Andrew

[chevelletiger]

if you go with a Lee box, be prepared to wait 6+ weeks.tom lee is a good man,but the last time i spoke with him last year it sounded like his health was not doing so good...i could here it in his voice.but give him a call and he can give you the low down on all the tech for these gm boxes.the problem i had with the 89 trans am 12.7 box i got was i had to remove the steering stops inside and thats something i know you dont have to do with the jgc box.also if your running a stock ps p stye pump like mine you may have to remove one or both shims on the poppet valve and drill the orifice out too.call lee he"ll walk you thru it and give you the drill size to do it too.oh yeah forgot he said wheel and tire size play a big roll in pump output and sais i may need to remachine some of the clearences inside the pump.on another note i asked him about the new delphi boxes that dse uses and he said he thinks thoses boxes where not designed for these big abodys and to stick with what i had and save my money!great guy,i think ill call him today!phil

[chevelletiger]

just spoke with tom,the drill size to mod the poppet valve is a #28 drill or 9/64 .140 for us machinist guys.care must be taken to not damage the valve since its very thin wall of matl.cheers!phil

[raustinss]

Ok I get where your coming from Andrew, I'm not trying to start a argument my opinion is that 4-600$ for a name brand box isn't that bad... and more the route I'd go, regardless have a look at a box from year one. their prices aren't that bad, certainly better then Detroit speed, whom I believe are a little over priced for a lot of their products, high quality but pricey. Reading what you've said has made me consider a jeep box but still not sold on it. Best of luck in whatever you used or suggest to anyone else. Ryan

[andrewb70]

Ok I get where your coming from Andrew, I'm not trying to start a argument my opinion is that 4-600$ for a name brand box isn't that bad... and more the route I'd go, regardless have a look at a box from year one. their prices aren't that bad, certainly better then Detroit speed, whom I believe are a little over priced for a lot of their products, high quality but pricey. Reading what you've said has made me consider a jeep box but still not sold on it. Best of luck in whatever you used or suggest to anyone else. Ryan

I am not trying to convince you of anything. If you want to use a Lee, AGR, DSE, or another box, go for it. It's your money and your project. I built my car 10 years ago, and back then there weren't that many options. Now days, there are various OEM options, like the JGC box, as well as a slew of aftermarket offerings. People can choose based on their budget and other preferences. Options are good.

Andrew

[SShep71]

OP... I have heard some good and bad about the Hotchkiss steering stuff. I am going with all NAPA premium steering components. The premium stuff is a lot better than the stock stuff, and I think the premium stuff is made in the US. I have not checked it yet. Mark from SC&C and I talked about it awhile back and NAPA premium is the choice.

[raustinss]

Sshep71
That's funny cause in my last chirp to the conversation I was actually going to say lets get a expert opinion....and in my opinion one of the best if not the best "A" body guy is mark from sc&c, so hey mark..feel free to school all of us because now I'm fully up in the air as to what to use