Steering Upgrade/Overhaul

[Shift92]

So I have done all the usual front suspension upgrades like poly bushings, new ball joints, and lowering springs. The only thing that I haven't worked on is actual steering and was wondering what you guys have done as upgrades.

The truck will eventually be used in some mild Autocross but for now I am mostly interested in getting rid of or minimizing the 60* of play in the steering wheel. I know replacing the original steering box is a good place to start, any particular brands or steering ratios that you guys prefer for street/track use. I have looked at rack and pinion steering but am not sure what it would involve to make it work correctly, like getting all of the geometry correct.

I am open to any and all suggestions. Thanks in advance.

[sweetnlow]

So I have done all the usual front suspension upgrades like poly bushings, new ball joints, and lowering springs. The only thing that I haven't worked on is actual steering and was wondering what you guys have done as upgrades.

The truck will eventually be used in some mild Autocross but for now I am mostly interested in getting rid of or minimizing the 60* of play in the steering wheel. I know replacing the original steering box is a good place to start, any particular brands or steering ratios that you guys prefer for street/track use. I have looked at rack and pinion steering but am not sure what it would involve to make it work correctly, like getting all of the geometry correct.

I am open to any and all suggestions. Thanks in advance.

Year, make, model, mother's maiden name?

[Shift92]

Lol, sorry about that. I need to work on my sig.

It's a 92' C1500 RCSB.

[StreetFreak]

I'm interested in a quicker box as well

[Tigwldr]

AGR makes a nice box from summit.
I'm interested in it, looks sharp to.

[Shift92]

Yea, they look like a really good product. I am not sure what the stock steering ratio is but the AGR goes down to a 12:1. I wonder how much that would reduce the amount of steering wheel travel lock to lock.

[sweetnlow]

Another option would be to install a 454ss, or ss350 box. IIRC, those boxes are 12:1 as well. Those boxes are cheaper than AGR's and do the same thing. I found some for sale online by googling it. Unfortunately, I have misplaced the link.

I have also read that the rag joints in the steering shaft get play in them after a while. here's the link to summit racing's:

http://www.summitracing.com/search/y...s/?Ns=Rank|Asc

I have also read on here of people just replacing the "biscuit" in the shaft that is the culprit, with parts available at the parts store. I think they are "help" parts. do a search for rag joint on here.

[sweetnlow]

Found the rag link:

http://www.fullsizechevy.com/forums/...fully-how.html

[Shift92]

I checked today at work(Advance Auto Parts) today, the steering box that came in the 454ss, Sport 350, or any other truck with the ZQ8 suspension package can be ordered for about $100 with an $80 dollar core charge. It ends up being cheaper that the stock steering box which is around $150 with a $50 core.

[1badgmc]

Not a bad price. The 454SS gearbox is $155.99 with a $200 core at O'Reilly.

[fire730]

My steering box is leaking at the pinion seal and I am about to rebuild it but if I can pick up a "sport" box for $100 I am gonna have to do that. Thanks for the heads up. I'll have to call Advance tomorrow.

[Tigwldr]

So the 454SS steering box has the same ratio as the AGR box?
Damn, I'm going to pick one up tomorrow.
Just picked up a rag joint over the weekend to, I'll hold off and do both this week.

[Shift92]

I believe so, I checked one of the 454ss forums, the 454ss steering box is 12:1 at center and 7:1 at lock.

I used to have have a 93 C1500 Indy Pace truck which had the ZQ8 suspension package. I remember it steering really well, compared to my 92. Luckily I still have the steering box but it has sat out in the weather without the lines on it, so it is going to get used as a core very soon.

[fire730]

Shift 92 - I sent you a PM. PM me back or just post here for everyone. I am having no luck finding the box for $100 online to see if my local store has one. The only 2 boxes I have found are the $155 and it says it is not for the ZQ8 suspension and the other costs $200 and it just says "power gear 2x4"

[1badgmc]

Shift 92 - I sent you a PM. PM me back or just post here for everyone. I am having no luck finding the box for $100 online to see if my local store has one. The only 2 boxes I have found are the $155 and it says it is not for the ZQ8 suspension and the other costs $200 and it just says "power gear 2x4"

I was just looking at the Advance website and saw the same thing.

[fire730]

Good then I am not blind.

[Shift92]

The website and what the store computers show don't match each other exactly. Advance doesn't network any information out of the store other than store stock and sales. We frequently have customers come in that saw something on the website that is different than the store information. It could also be because the stores don't keep that particular steering box in stock, it has to be ordered from the factory which takes a couple of days to get to the store. If you check with your local Advance they should be able to tell you exactly when and if they can get one, it may differ for different regions.

Sorry for any confusion.

Edit: The part number is 27-7619

[1badgmc]

Good then I am not blind.

:LOL: No. Not yet. Unless we both are.

[1badgmc]

The website and what the store computers show don't match each other exactly. Advance doesn't network any information out of the store other than store stock and sales. We frequently have customers come in that saw something on the website that is different than the store information. It could also be because the stores don't keep that particular steering box in stock, it has to be ordered from the factory which takes a couple of days to get to the store. If you check with your local Advance they should be able to tell you exactly when and if they can get one, it may differ for different regions.

Sorry for any confusion.

Gotcha.

[Tigwldr]

So what am I going to ask for exactly?
A 454ss, Sport 350, or any truck with the ZQ8 suspension package?
What trucks came with the ZQ8 package? How do I know they came with that package?

Thanks