16:1 vs 24:1 steering

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70scatpack

70scatpack

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16:1 is a 3 1/2 lock to lock but is the steering itself harder because you have less turns with the steering wheel as opposed to the 5 1/2 lock to lock with the stock 24:1 steering box ratio?
 
Uh yeah! With the faster ratio It's a good bit harder, but the transitions are less, so you have better control when you're doing spirited driving.

Does that answer your question?
 
Yeah 16:1 takes more muscle at low speeds. It's not noticeable when driving.
I have a factory 16:1 manual box in my 68 small block cuda. Hard to park.
24:1 in my /6 64 Valiant. It's too slow! Last week I had to make a quick turn and really noticed that it is too slow!

In my opinion 20:1 manual would be a good compromise. I have an original Direct Connection 20:1 worm/nut but I haven't installed it yet so no direct experience.

If you have power steering now, just remove the belt and drive it. I drove my 68 that way for a few years before swapping in the 16:1 manual. It felt exactly like the PS box without the belt because it's the same ratio.
 
Like double the effort. 20:1 is a good compromise. 24:1 is terrible for daily driving, not the effort, the turns lock to lock. I did 2 years in So Cal traffic with 24:1 in a 67 Dart and wouldn't do it again.
 
I'm just waiting for pst to come out with a 20.1 box still a year away both the 24 and 16.1 leave lots to be desired .
 
I went with the 20:1 from Firm Feel and I like it. My old one was the factory 24:1 and as Nirvana says,... it wasn't hard to steer, but had way too many turns lock to lock. The new 20:1 is a little tougher to turn than the stock one, but only when stopped. Once you start moving, it gets WAY better. And it is much more usable once you are driving.
 
I had a 24:1 in my 70 Cuda and was sitting at a light at a large intersection when my light turned I made a left and was on the gas a little harder than I should have, wet pavement and it went sideways and I was counter steering as fast as I could got it strait and didn't hit anything, but I did punch myself in the nuts in the process when my hand missed the wheel. I would go with the 16:1 if you could.
 
I have the PST 16:1 which is going in on Monday I will let everyone know how it is.Thanks for all the input
 
70scatpack said:
I have the PST 16:1 which is going in on Monday I will let everyone know how it is.Thanks for all the input
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Yeah bought as well, but my motor is still out of the car so haven't had test it yet:rolleyes:
 
I run a 16:1 Flaming River manual steering box in my Duster. Certainly won't win any parallel parking contests, but once you're going 10-15mph it's really not all that bad, and once you're going a little faster than that it's awesome. And I run 275/35/18's and +6.5* of caster up front, so cars with narrower tires and a more standard alignment would be easier than mine.
 
I've had the flaming river 16:1 on my all iron small block 68 barracuda. I thought it was perfect...Don't fret. You'll be happy with the 16:1 box.
 
chrgdrt said:
Check out this thread. disregard the negative bs and just focus on the actual info.
New cheap ebay steering box
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Thanks chrgdrt. It looks as though the OP purchased that chrome cast box and not the one me and 70aarcuda posted. I don't see any feedback on the box I posted about. People are pretty opinionated about steering boxes apparently :)

I was just trying to research changing from power to manual when I came across this thread. Seems that 1:20 is the ideal ratio, but they are expensive and hard to find. This ebay option seemed like a potential option, but now I am not sure.
 
dstemmerman said:
Thanks chrgdrt. It looks as though the OP purchased that chrome cast box and not the one me and 70aarcuda posted. I don't see any feedback on the box I posted about. People are pretty opinionated about steering boxes apparently :)

I was just trying to research changing from power to manual when I came across this thread. Seems that 1:20 is the ideal ratio, but they are expensive and hard to find. This ebay option seemed like a potential option, but now I am not sure.
Click to expand...

Last year I went from ps with the quick ratio arm to a manual 24:1 with a quick arm and yes 24:1 is too slow, the effort isn't bad unless you're parrallel parking. I would say 20:1 would be ideal. this is in a small block Challenger with skinnys on front, when I put my 235's I can definetly tell the diff.

one thing i noticed is the box you posted lists 5/8 36 spline where as the one from the other thread lists 3/4-36. not sure which is correct
 
Having owned cars with all three ratio steering boxes, I prefer the 20:1. It's a great box without the negatives of the others.
 
Just got a new PST manual 16:1 box and it takes 1.5 turns lock to lock. Pitman arm and idler arm are stock replacements. I checked this with the front end off the ground. So where does this 3.5 turns lock to lock come from?
 
1.5 if you sneeze you will change lanes. Are you sure it's 1.5 ?
 
from PST, among other places. "PST's new production Mopar manual box has a ratio of 16:1 or 3.5 turns lock to lock"
 
5.7 hemi said:
Just got a new PST manual 16:1 box and it takes 1.5 turns lock to lock. Pitman arm and idler arm are stock replacements. I checked this with the front end off the ground. So where does this 3.5 turns lock to lock come from?
Click to expand...

Either you’re counting wrong, something’s wrong with the box, or your steering linkage is hitting something before it goes full travel.

With a 16:1 box it should be about 3.5 full rotations of the steering wheel lock to lock. Mine is.
 
I’ll check again tomorrow.
Here’s how I did it. A piece of blue painters tape on the top center of steering wheel. Now turn right or left till it stops turning, 1.5 turns each way. The steering wheel is a 14 inch billet half wrap with a FlamingRiver column.
 
5.7 hemi said:
I’ll check again tomorrow.
Here’s how I did it. A piece of blue painters tape on the top center of steering wheel. Now turn right or left till it stops turning, 1.5 turns each way. The steering wheel is a 14 inch billet half wrap with a FlamingRiver column.
Click to expand...

Sounds like you’re only counting half the turns. It’s not from steering centered to lock on one side. It’s from full steering lock left to full steering lock right.
 
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