Red Head Steering
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Tuned
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 402
Likes: 18
From: Warren, Texas
Red Head Steering
I will soon be buying a new steering box for my 150. Last week, it was mentioned to another member to go with the Red Head brand. Since I'm also in the market for a new steering box, I gave their site a look.
I noticed they offer a gear box with a tighter steering ratio that gives you 3 turns lock to lock instead of 4 turns lock to lock. Has anyone here gone with the tighter ratio? If so, did you like it, or did you feel like you should have gone with the wider ratio as your truck was originally equipped?
https://www.redheadsteeringgears.com...steering-gear/
I noticed they offer a gear box with a tighter steering ratio that gives you 3 turns lock to lock instead of 4 turns lock to lock. Has anyone here gone with the tighter ratio? If so, did you like it, or did you feel like you should have gone with the wider ratio as your truck was originally equipped?
https://www.redheadsteeringgears.com...steering-gear/
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 4,436
Likes: 19
From: Regina, Saskatchewan
I was considering starting a group buy about 6 months ago. I never did continue with it because my steering box is in decent shape (for now).
Also, the cost to ship to Canada was outrageous, so I would be making a border trip to get one. Winter is still here, so I'm out.
But I do know that I generated a lot of interest on the forum and members were curious where my first post went. Maybe start a group-buy for late next fall and see where it goes?
Also, the cost to ship to Canada was outrageous, so I would be making a border trip to get one. Winter is still here, so I'm out.
But I do know that I generated a lot of interest on the forum and members were curious where my first post went. Maybe start a group-buy for late next fall and see where it goes?
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,674
Likes: 16
From: Ideeho
Stock ratio will have better highway manners. Quicker ratio will give better feedback or "feel"..........I guess it all depends on your intended usage as to what you want to order. I haven't pulled the trigger on a Redhead for my Dent yet, but will be at some point. I put an Oreilly's rebuilt in it a few years back because my original was getting a bit sloppy and was leaking. The Oreilley's box doesn't leak but had more play in it than the original. I am completely convinced that the parts store "rebuilds" consist of nothing more than new seals and a ****ty coat of paint.........When my '97 FSuperduty was due for a box, I ordered a Redhead...........Won't buy anything else anymore.....completely satisfied......they cost more but are well worth the extra $$$$$
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 402
Likes: 18
From: Warren, Texas
I have a 2016 Challenger R/T, and the number of turns involved in making a turn is quite different (as I'm sure we've all experienced with our modern cars vs old trucks). I guess if I weren't so spoiled to barely turning the wheel in the Challenger, it wouldn't matter about the truck.
My original box doesn't have any slack, but it's got a pretty good leak and I hate fluid soaking the underside of everything.
I noticed the Red Head unit also costs LESS than the "new" units at O'Reilly's. They want $860 for new steering boxes!
My original box doesn't have any slack, but it's got a pretty good leak and I hate fluid soaking the underside of everything.
I noticed the Red Head unit also costs LESS than the "new" units at O'Reilly's. They want $860 for new steering boxes!
New User
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Charleston
My '75 f100 is overdue for this same operation. I've also got some interest in rebuilding it myself vs. ponying up for the Red Head. Does anybody have any experience with a rebuild?
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 991
Likes: 114
From: Dallas, OR
You can't rebuild it like Red Head or Blue Top unless you take it to a machine shop. They add needle bearings to the lower sector shaft that were not there original, eliminating the issue of blowing out sector shaft seals. I just resealed mine because it was only leaking around the input shaft. I plan to go with a Red Head or Blue Top later when I have the money. This was just a stop gap. It's not terribly difficult to do, but I know it is not very permanent and I am usually a fix it once and done kind of guy. Chain store "rebuilt" units are just resealed too, so do it yourself and save a few bucks.
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Tuned
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 269
Likes: 14
From: Shelbyville
I would go BlueTop instead of RedHead. BlueTop is owned by a guy that used to work at RedHead but felt they overcharged, so he started his own competing company. Also, the quicker ratio will put more stress on the frame where the gear box mounts, so be careful of cracking the frame. BlueTop also has the quicker ratio FYI.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 402
Likes: 18
From: Warren, Texas
The price difference between the two wasn't a lot. Also, for the quicker ratio, it looks as if you pay more to get an extra piece and I guess you have to put it on the other? Maybe I'm wrong... but something looks kinda funky there. The Red Head quicker ratio part is ready to go.
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 4,436
Likes: 19
From: Regina, Saskatchewan
Bluetop is closer to me geographically, so I may end up going with his box instead of a redhead.
Easier for me to drive across the border and pick it up myself than have it shipped.
Easier for me to drive across the border and pick it up myself than have it shipped.
Grumpy goat
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 3,059
Likes: 597
I've got two Redhead's now and they're great. I thought one was sloppy until I checked tie rod ends and found they were bad. Before blaming your gearbox, make sure the rest of your steering components aren't the cause. Any of these can cause that dead spot you feel at the top of the apex: Tie rod ends, ball joints, track bar bushings, radius arm bushings, loose radius arm mount. Track bar bushings has been the culprit more than any other components on my Jeeps and trucks
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 402
Likes: 18
From: Warren, Texas
Okay... so I called Blue Top this morning to inquire about the quicker ratio steering. They don't keep those boxes already made in stock. They are built as they are ordered. Okay, that's understandable. So the $55 price is simply added to the price of the 18:1 box price.
And to clarify price... The Red Head 15:1 quick ratio unit is 326 plus 200 core charge. The Blue Top unit quick ratio unit is 334 plus 150 core charge. So after core credit, Red Head will be 8 dollars less. But, Red Head is in Washington and Blue Top is in North Dakota, so depending on where you live, shipping could be more or less and also tax could apply.
The 18:1 unit will cost less with Blue Top.... $279 plus 150 core (on sale right now, regular price is $299) whereas Red Head is $316 plus 200 core. Again, shipping/tax could tip the scale depending on where you are.
And to clarify price... The Red Head 15:1 quick ratio unit is 326 plus 200 core charge. The Blue Top unit quick ratio unit is 334 plus 150 core charge. So after core credit, Red Head will be 8 dollars less. But, Red Head is in Washington and Blue Top is in North Dakota, so depending on where you live, shipping could be more or less and also tax could apply.
The 18:1 unit will cost less with Blue Top.... $279 plus 150 core (on sale right now, regular price is $299) whereas Red Head is $316 plus 200 core. Again, shipping/tax could tip the scale depending on where you are.