steering box
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,950
Likes: 2,718
From: Virginia
I bought mine from the local store. It has been fine for years. Like starters or alternators, I supposed you can get a good one or a bad one. There are a couple of places that people on here get their steering boxes, But they are very expensive.
Here's one place https://redheadsteeringgears.com/
Here's another place https://bluetopsteeringgears-com.3dcartstores.com/
Colorful industry isn't it? If you want to get a good used one from the junkyard, I would pull one from a ranger pickup. They use the exact same box, and they live a easier life guiding that little truck around.
Here's one place https://redheadsteeringgears.com/
Here's another place https://bluetopsteeringgears-com.3dcartstores.com/
Colorful industry isn't it? If you want to get a good used one from the junkyard, I would pull one from a ranger pickup. They use the exact same box, and they live a easier life guiding that little truck around.
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,830
Likes: 4,096
From: Angier, NC
Sorry for being late to the party 
After seeing posts about the store bought boxes being almost as bad as what it replaced or a short time after and how both the Red Head and Blue Top boxes were rebuilt I went with a Blue Top.
They were cheaper than RH box.
The turn around, they send a rebuilt box and I sent mine back as a core, was easy as pie.
The instruction were spot on, on how to flush the system and bleed the air out.
Been in the truck over 5 years and 28+K miles and just as good as the day I installed it.
I say dont wast you time with a store bought box and go with BT or RH boxes.
Dave ----
After seeing posts about the store bought boxes being almost as bad as what it replaced or a short time after and how both the Red Head and Blue Top boxes were rebuilt I went with a Blue Top.
They were cheaper than RH box.
The turn around, they send a rebuilt box and I sent mine back as a core, was easy as pie.
The instruction were spot on, on how to flush the system and bleed the air out.
Been in the truck over 5 years and 28+K miles and just as good as the day I installed it.
I say dont wast you time with a store bought box and go with BT or RH boxes.
Dave ----
Thread Starter
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Cross-Country
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 96
Likes: 9
I'm looking at a new box
Sorry for being late to the party
After seeing posts about the store bought boxes being almost as bad as what it replaced or a short time after and how both the Red Head and Blue Top boxes were rebuilt I went with a Blue Top.
They were cheaper than RH box.
The turn around, they send a rebuilt box and I sent mine back as a core, was easy as pie.
The instruction were spot on, on how to flush the system and bleed the air out.
Been in the truck over 5 years and 28+K miles and just as good as the day I installed it.
I say dont wast you time with a store bought box and go with BT or RH boxes.
Dave ----
After seeing posts about the store bought boxes being almost as bad as what it replaced or a short time after and how both the Red Head and Blue Top boxes were rebuilt I went with a Blue Top.
They were cheaper than RH box.
The turn around, they send a rebuilt box and I sent mine back as a core, was easy as pie.
The instruction were spot on, on how to flush the system and bleed the air out.
Been in the truck over 5 years and 28+K miles and just as good as the day I installed it.
I say dont wast you time with a store bought box and go with BT or RH boxes.
Dave ----
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,830
Likes: 4,096
From: Angier, NC
Is that a new box or a remanf.box?
The issues with a stock box new or remanf. is the shafts use bushings not bearings.
The bushings wear as do the shafts and why you get the play you have.
Remanf. they dont machine the shafts and only install new bushings so they have wear / play from the start out of the box.
A new box is good out of the box but over time will also get play when the bushings & shafts get wear.
The Blue Top & Red Head boxes machine the shafts and install bearing in place of the bushings so you will not have the wear that causes the play in the life time of the box.
It might be more money fore the BT / RH boxes but you will never need to buy another steering box again because of the bearings.
Just my .02 and why I went with the BT box.
BTW I have over 28K on my truck since I put it on the road and no play in the steering.
Dave ----
The issues with a stock box new or remanf. is the shafts use bushings not bearings.
The bushings wear as do the shafts and why you get the play you have.
Remanf. they dont machine the shafts and only install new bushings so they have wear / play from the start out of the box.
A new box is good out of the box but over time will also get play when the bushings & shafts get wear.
The Blue Top & Red Head boxes machine the shafts and install bearing in place of the bushings so you will not have the wear that causes the play in the life time of the box.
It might be more money fore the BT / RH boxes but you will never need to buy another steering box again because of the bearings.
Just my .02 and why I went with the BT box.
BTW I have over 28K on my truck since I put it on the road and no play in the steering.
Dave ----
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Virginia
Like starters and alternators, it's hit or miss. I must have gotten a good one from the store, it's been on the truck 15 years now. If I have to do it again, I think I am going to look for a used ranger box. It should have good bushings in it.
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Joined: Apr 2002
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The steering box the OP is looking at is a new part. Has a three year unlimited mileage warranty. It's probably made overseas but everything is these days. I doubt any reman has a warranty like that. Might be worth a gamble.
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,830
Likes: 4,096
From: Angier, NC
He just starts with a better box over the remanf. ones and will take longer to get play in.
Just my .02
Dave ----
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 454
Likes: 92
Visit the Red Hat site it is 281.00 for a power steering box that fits 1980-1996.
there is a 175.00 core charge
Blue Tops sre 290.00 plus a 150.00 core charge
Right now a NEW not rebuilt Cardon brand steering box is 290.00 on ROCKAUTO
If you go to the parts store for a rebuilt unit It MUST not have ANY PERCEPTIBLE PLAY In the OUUTPUT Shaft..
RED HAT claims to remachine and up grade the output shaft NO mention from BLUE TOP on any machining or bearing up grade on their site.
there is a 175.00 core charge
Blue Tops sre 290.00 plus a 150.00 core charge
Right now a NEW not rebuilt Cardon brand steering box is 290.00 on ROCKAUTO
If you go to the parts store for a rebuilt unit It MUST not have ANY PERCEPTIBLE PLAY In the OUUTPUT Shaft..
RED HAT claims to remachine and up grade the output shaft NO mention from BLUE TOP on any machining or bearing up grade on their site.