Redhead box update
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 229
Likes: 1
They shipped me the wrong one at first. Got it sorted out and installed fine. Letting it sit over night to bleed as advised so haven't tested yet. Shipped the wrong one back to them the same way they shipped to me. USPS flat rate box for $17.95 or so. They reinforced the bottom and all corners with an extra layer of cardboard before shipping.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,190
Likes: 384
From: Near Los Angeles
I don't want to cast a shadow of suspicion on a good product, so I thought I needed to elaborate about my question. I installed my Redhead box 17 months ago. When I got under it it looked as though the pitman shaft was flexing.
Upon inspection, with the box out, I found, and should have noted upon original install, that the bolt holes were enlarged. I welded in new tubes and now box sits tight, no wobble, and the steering is as new.
RedHead is a great product.
Upon inspection, with the box out, I found, and should have noted upon original install, that the bolt holes were enlarged. I welded in new tubes and now box sits tight, no wobble, and the steering is as new.
RedHead is a great product.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2010
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Likes: 8
From: York, Pa
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,099
Likes: 8
From: York, Pa
Reason I ask is I simply cannot find anything other than what I found several years ago with their box. At the time of the video I just completed my D60 swap and everything was new and I mean everything. The last piece of the puzzle was ditch the sloppy box I was given with the D60 so I bought a redhead. I probably don't have 2k miles on that box to this day. Real kicker is I have a $400 79 F250 I've been piecing together with whatever I can find and it steers awesome
I sent this to them back then they said its normal so that's where it ended.
I sent this to them back then they said its normal so that's where it ended.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,190
Likes: 384
From: Near Los Angeles
I hate to say it, but for all the time it took to get the redhead box, and the extra expense, I will say that it was not worth it. For the box to have a wobbling shaft after less than 18 months?
I'm really disappointed to seek what is supposed to be the best, and it turns out to be about the same as an Auto Zone $100 rebuild ... that disgusts me.
Even if I pursue a warranty (which is 1 year) I don't want to be w/o for the extended length of time. If you can't get it right the first time then something is wrong.
I'm really disappointed to seek what is supposed to be the best, and it turns out to be about the same as an Auto Zone $100 rebuild ... that disgusts me.
Even if I pursue a warranty (which is 1 year) I don't want to be w/o for the extended length of time. If you can't get it right the first time then something is wrong.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,836
Likes: 2,612
From: The Shenandoah Valley
Stuff happens and nothing made by man is 100% .... but I put my Red Head Steering Box in my '77 in December 2012 and there is no slop in it, the steering is still GREAT ...... and that's some better than it was when I bought the truck in 1986 with all of 35,xxx miles on it.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 968
Likes: 5
From: Corbett, Oregon
Was your steering gear centered, or "straight ahead" when you checked for the play? By centered, or straight ahead, I mean the steering gear has to be in the center of it's travel. This is best checked with the drag link disconnected from the pitman arm.
Just because the wheels are going straight doesn't mean the steering gear is centered.
A properly adjusted steering gear should have no, or minimal, play when "straight ahead". However, the more the steering gear is turned, the greater the play. This is in the design of the gear.
Just because the wheels are going straight doesn't mean the steering gear is centered.
A properly adjusted steering gear should have no, or minimal, play when "straight ahead". However, the more the steering gear is turned, the greater the play. This is in the design of the gear.