Different model Ford steering box?
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 165
Likes: 48
From: Howell Mi.
Different model Ford steering box?
Is there a direct replacement ford box with a better ratio that could be ordered instead of a Bronco box? Just curious. I know about the read head boxes. Not going that route.
The Southernmost Mod
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 6,902
Likes: 21
From: Caracas, Venezuela
Almost every big sedan and truck from Ford in the period between 1964 and up to 1997 share the same Steering Box, i guess you should start researching specs. to see if any of them has a different ratio.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2005
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Redhead will do custom ratios if all else fials, i know you said No, but just in case?
and yeah, other than a lightning I don't think you'll find a tighter box. I can't even confirm about the lightning, I've driven one and it felt just as loosey as my Bronco.
Be aware, I *know* the Bronco and F150 boxes are ANNOYINGLY low ratio, loose and sloppy even at 100% condition, but if you start toying with higher ratios you'll get to the point really quickly where you will feel like you're driving with manual steering.. I would also look into a better steering shaft, it doesn't take much to destroy one steering without PS (like when the truck is off), just with a few feet of steering, let alone replacing with a higher ratio and driving it all the time.
of course, if you're running stock tires then you should be fine.. still, don't know where else to go other than Redhead.
and Encho, I dunno how true that is.. my 78 f150's box is reverse rotation, my 90 isn't. Pretty sure Crown Vic boxes are shorter (but wouldnt bet on it) and that's about as tight as you'll find in the Bronco's size range.
and yeah, other than a lightning I don't think you'll find a tighter box. I can't even confirm about the lightning, I've driven one and it felt just as loosey as my Bronco.
Be aware, I *know* the Bronco and F150 boxes are ANNOYINGLY low ratio, loose and sloppy even at 100% condition, but if you start toying with higher ratios you'll get to the point really quickly where you will feel like you're driving with manual steering.. I would also look into a better steering shaft, it doesn't take much to destroy one steering without PS (like when the truck is off), just with a few feet of steering, let alone replacing with a higher ratio and driving it all the time.
of course, if you're running stock tires then you should be fine.. still, don't know where else to go other than Redhead.
and Encho, I dunno how true that is.. my 78 f150's box is reverse rotation, my 90 isn't. Pretty sure Crown Vic boxes are shorter (but wouldnt bet on it) and that's about as tight as you'll find in the Bronco's size range.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 6,815
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From: Tobyhanma, PA
I thought once upon a late night on FTE searching the forums that you could put a Crewcab Longbed 250/350 steering box on and it had a tighter turn to compensate for vehicle length..however that could be relevant to only the dentside I used to own. Food for thought maybe
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,018
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From: Longview, TX
I love my RedHead Steering Gear. It keeps getting better over the couple of years I have had it.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 165
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From: Howell Mi.
My low tech research of a handful of car part websites shows consistently that a lightning and a Bronco get the same part # for a steering box. So the theory that a lightning box has a tighter ratio isnt looking to be true.
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