The 2764BS is the gear I bought. It was a huge improvement over the worn out OEM gear and AutoZone gear.

I did not have the port installed as I do not have a need for it now or in the future. Your needs may be different though.

As for the other parts, that stuff gets expensive quick. So evaluate what you need to replace versus just replacing everything.

That is my advice going forward.

 

Thanks sous..

So the website says "pre tapped ports and plugs".. am I wrong in thinking they mean thread taps?? I don't know why anyone wouldn't want them pre taped unless to save money and do it yourself..

I use this thing basically to tow of toys no heavier then 9k lbs. My boat weighs 4200 lbs and I plan on buying a camping trailer soon that shouldn't way more than 9klbs.. I plan on leaving all wheels stock.. basically the use you have.. I don't plan on needing more.

 

The description included for the pe-tapped ports and plugs is as follows.

Pre-Tapped Ports & Plugs

Tapped and ported with -6 JIC/AN male fittings with pressure rated caps. Select this option if you have or plan on having a hydraulic assist cylinder setup on your vehicle. This can be used without hooking up a cylinder.

I did NOT select that option as I never plan to install hydraulic assist. The gear will come ready to install without that option.

I hope this helps.

 

Power steering and power brakes are powered by the same fluid that is pressurized by the PS pump. From memory (not very trustworthy these days...), pressurized ATF is sent to the hydro booster and then to the steering gear and returned to the pump.

 

Are these steering boxes realy $450.oo ?. I thought they were around $300.oo .

 

Chet, they are $445 with the $150 core charge. Once the core is returned, the charge is refunded and you end up paying $295 for the gear.

Is it worth it? That is up to you... For me and my application of using the truck for towing the 5th wheel long distance, it absolutely is and 100% was the right choice. Having 2" of play in a vehicle that has a GCVW of near 20,000 lbs is not a good idea.

 

The Blue Top is under $300 for both 32- and 36-spline shafts. It costs another $90 to have the pre-tapped ports if you plan to add hydraulic ram (assist) down the road as Sous mentioned. I also had no intention to add that so did not spend the nearly $100 for that option.

Plus there's a $150 core charge until you send them your old one then you get it back. When I shipped my old gear it only took 2 days to get the core refund once they received it.

If you're not looking for a budget reman (A1 Cardone, auto parts house brand, etc.) then yes, they will lighten your wallet.

I'm a firm believer that 90% of the time you get what you pay for outside of an occasional great find or good deal.

As bad as my steering was my OEM box lasted me about 180K IIRC. I was in a pinch when it failed so went with an A1 Cardone reman. I'd always had a Red Top on my wish list but they were ~$450 at the time (not in the budget) and I didn't have time to wait.

The Cardone unit started to weep after a year. I lived with it for a year until it started to leave a puddle and I was checking fluid level every 2 days or so. I was not going to go the budget route again and Blue Top was fairly new but 2/3 the price of a Red Top so took a chance on the Blue Top (couldn't be worse than what I already had) and was very happy with the choice. Night and day steering feel and was working great up to the last day I drove the truck.

 

I just ordered a Blue Top this evening. Recently returned from a 6k mile road trip pulling the 30' TT and after reading some of these steering related threads decided to help my steering wander issues. All things considered the factory box isn't doing too bad for having 446k miles on it, but it just feels like it's time for improvements.

 

@JSPEX , if possible, use UPS Simple Rate shipping when returning the core. It is about 50% the cost of regular UPS and USPS.

Learn more: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post19828219

 

Thanks for the tip Sous

 

Thanks guys, I appreciate your response. I didn't think he had the core charge in there. This is the root I am taking to. Just a few more things to spend my money on first. God bless, Chet

 

Never saw this post until now . Roger that.. So I will select without this option . Not my intention either..

 

Ohhhhhhh.. okay.. so just because it assist in braking it doesn't utilize the brake fluid to do so..

Jason would you say the hydroboost only assist power steering and braking?? I guess.. gives it a boost?

 

I am glad you saw the post prior to ordering!

Keep us updated on how you like the steering gear. It is a fairly new to the scene product that has caught a lot of traction.

 

Yes. Power steering helps by reducing the effort needed to turn the steering wheel. Until recently, almost all vehicles use hydraulic systems for this. Many modern cars appear to use electric assist wizardry.

Power brakes reduce the effort to push the brake pedal (and push the brake fluid to the wheels). Our trucks use a hydro boost system that is powered by the same hydraulic pump as the power steering. Many vehicles use a vacuum boost system that uses vacuum to provide the extra energy. Diesel engines don’t naturally create a vacuum the way gasoline engines do (no throttle plate or throttle body to create resistance of the intake air on a diesel - its WIDE OPEN from air filter to intake valves). So, a diesel would need a vacuum pump - usually belt driven - to use a conventional vacuum boost system. The OBS 7.3 Ford trucks and all of the PSD vans have this.