Obs steering box
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2024
Posts: 209
Likes: 22
From: IL
Obs steering box
1997 f250HD with the twin I beams. Planning on doing the straigh axel swap. Question is my box is pretty sloppy and I don't have the funds to do a axel swap at the moment so I was looking into steering boxes, I was thinking of going with red top is there any other suggestions that may be better? Building my dream truck so only want the best of the best on it.
1997 f250 HD 7.3 powerstroke 306,766 ccsb, mellings lpop, pedestal ebpv delete, RiffRaff ipr, 3in down pipe
1997 f250 HD 7.3 powerstroke 306,766 ccsb, mellings lpop, pedestal ebpv delete, RiffRaff ipr, 3in down pipe
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7,170
Likes: 1,331
From: Bahstun
https://www.redheadsteeringgears.com
or
https://bluetopsteeringgears-com.3dcartstores.com
I went with red and heard lots of good things on blue on this site
or
https://bluetopsteeringgears-com.3dcartstores.com
I went with red and heard lots of good things on blue on this site
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2024
Posts: 209
Likes: 22
From: IL
https://www.redheadsteeringgears.com
or
https://bluetopsteeringgears-com.3dcartstores.com
I went with red and heard lots of good things on blue on this site
or
https://bluetopsteeringgears-com.3dcartstores.com
I went with red and heard lots of good things on blue on this site
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 338
Likes: 112
From: Southern California
I did the blue on my 95. Replaced High pressure line and added inline filter on low pressure side. Make sure to flush system with new atf really good before you add new box.
truck handles and steers way better now. As long as the rest of the steering and suspension components are in good order you will notice a big difference. I rebuild all my suspension and did box last.
truck handles and steers way better now. As long as the rest of the steering and suspension components are in good order you will notice a big difference. I rebuild all my suspension and did box last.
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2024
Posts: 209
Likes: 22
From: IL
I did the blue on my 95. Replaced High pressure line and added inline filter on low pressure side. Make sure to flush system with new atf really good before you add new box.
truck handles and steers way better now. As long as the rest of the steering and suspension components are in good order you will notice a big difference. I rebuild all my suspension and did box last.
truck handles and steers way better now. As long as the rest of the steering and suspension components are in good order you will notice a big difference. I rebuild all my suspension and did box last.
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2024
Posts: 209
Likes: 22
From: IL
I did the blue on my 95. Replaced High pressure line and added inline filter on low pressure side. Make sure to flush system with new atf really good before you add new box.
truck handles and steers way better now. As long as the rest of the steering and suspension components are in good order you will notice a big difference. I rebuild all my suspension and did box last.
truck handles and steers way better now. As long as the rest of the steering and suspension components are in good order you will notice a big difference. I rebuild all my suspension and did box last.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7,170
Likes: 1,331
From: Bahstun
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Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2024
Posts: 209
Likes: 22
From: IL
Awesome thanks for the idea and denostration. Definitely going to be doing this when I swap boxes.
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Tuned
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 338
Likes: 112
From: Southern California
New coil was about an 1” taller. Brought my ride back up. Almost leveled my truck.
If you have 2wd, make sure to buy new isolators. Part # for the heavy duty for diesel notated by “S”.
Low pressure side. You can see the inline filter (silver color). Use good hose cutters and quality clamps. Cut out small section the size you need to add filter. Arrow on filter points towards power steering pump. Diesel site sells some but I bought mine from Rock Auto when I purchased OEM replacement high pressure line.
Low pressure side power steering pump cooler with inline filter added.
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 17,445
Likes: 2,767
From: Northern Ontario
I used XRF couple times now, complete kits - American undercar sells them, not the best website for searching. Might be able to find them elsewhere too.
I have used Bluetop a few times. No complaints.
Moog I’ve not had the best luck with over the past several yrs. Not what they used to be, imo. Ball joints in particular. Ymmv.
I have used Bluetop a few times. No complaints.
Moog I’ve not had the best luck with over the past several yrs. Not what they used to be, imo. Ball joints in particular. Ymmv.
PREMIUM SPONSOR
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,630
Likes: 217
From: North East Ohio
I have only ever seen 2 Redheads, both were customer supplied, and both trucks made it 1/2 mile to the gas station at the corner before they turned around and brought the truck back with no steering (after our several mile test drive with no issues.)
So on my '96 I went with Bluetop. My only "complaint" is it's very tight, when compared to the broken-in 115k mile oem box. But I imagine any "good" box will be tight. I just installed in April of this year so I have no input on longevity.
So on my '96 I went with Bluetop. My only "complaint" is it's very tight, when compared to the broken-in 115k mile oem box. But I imagine any "good" box will be tight. I just installed in April of this year so I have no input on longevity.
__________________
'96 7.3 F-350 Reg Cab 4x4 - bought new.
'04 6.0 E-350 custom 4x4
'08 6.4 F-550 Reg Cab 6 spd 4x4
'17 6.7 F-250 KR ccsb 4x4
'96 7.3 F-350 Reg Cab 4x4 - bought new.
'04 6.0 E-350 custom 4x4
'08 6.4 F-550 Reg Cab 6 spd 4x4
'17 6.7 F-250 KR ccsb 4x4
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 451
Likes: 51
Question for JJF20- is this the XRF kit you were talking about? My 1996 F250 4x4 is 8600 GVWR, I believe that makes it an HD.
HD Ford F250 F250HD Tie Rod Drag Link Steering Kit 4x4 1995 - 1997 | eBay
HD Ford F250 F250HD Tie Rod Drag Link Steering Kit 4x4 1995 - 1997 | eBay
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 17,445
Likes: 2,767
From: Northern Ontario
Question for JJF20- is this the XRF kit you were talking about? My 1996 F250 4x4 is 8600 GVWR, I believe that makes it an HD.
HD Ford F250 F250HD Tie Rod Drag Link Steering Kit 4x4 1995 - 1997 | eBay
HD Ford F250 F250HD Tie Rod Drag Link Steering Kit 4x4 1995 - 1997 | eBay