Has anyone used the Firm Feel 20:1 manual box

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JoeDragster

JoeDragster

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Looking for feedback. Looked into PST and comments on 16:1 were good but were consistent about being stiff at a stop
 
Is this a trick question??? Depends on the width of your front tires and how much air pressure you run...................................The skinnier the tire and the higher the air pressure the easier it will turn, at a stop or going down the road. Treblig
 
No not a trick question, but an over flow from the pst discussion. Before I plunk down for a new box, I just want to gather experienced input. I have a stock box now, with wide front tires on a dart and it is a bear turn while at a near dead stop. I changed out the smaller mopar steering wheel and went back with the factory 70 A body style and I really did not see much improvement.
 
I bought this car a year ago so I’m slowly transitioning this car to my needs or wants....imagine that.
 
If it's already a bear to turn at a stop with a 24:1 ratio stock box, you probably are not going to like the 20:1 box at all. I have a Grant tuff wheel and at close to stock weight the steering effort is a little high with 215/70-R14s up front at standstill. What size of tire are you running? I will be putting a set of Hankook 175/75-R14's up front next month, but I'm not planning on carving any canyons or upgrading from drum brakes as of yet, either... Who makes the 20:1 box? I haven't seen it yet but I like the idea of it for my purposes.
 
the 20 to 1 box is the best of the 3 ratios imo my friend has a ebay 20to 1 and it was 148.00 bucks and the car steers just awesome the Firm Feel would most likely be even better at over 400.00 .
 
I have 235 60 R 14 all the way around. The front tires are a tight fit. I still have the factory drum brakes and Crager SBP rims with QA1 suspension. That being said, the front tires has a negative camber, otherwise the 235 tire would not fit. This is the way the car was set up when I bought it and handling is great other than being tough to turn.
 
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Post some pictures of your forearms and we can give you an educated response
 
I've got the 20:1 FF box and 195/65R15 tires. I think it's a good compromise between the 16 and 24:1 ratios. Here's a video from last night of me making a slow 90 degree turn. I don't even think about it, but it is a little stiffer at slow speeds.

Ring #AlwaysHome
 
Thx for the video. It looks so smooth backing up and turning. With the wide tires that came on my buggy and the factory box, it’s a wrestling match to get out of my driveway. Your ride is very nice
 
Thanks! I've been driving manual steering A bodies for 40 years, some with even smaller steering wheels. It's all in what you get used to driving. I don't even give it a second thought now.
 
JoeDragster said:
Thx for the video. It looks so smooth backing up and turning. With the wide tires that came on my buggy and the factory box, it’s a wrestling match to get out of my driveway. Your ride is very nice
Click to expand...


if your factory box is a 24:1 a new 20:1 box will even be harder to turn maybe you have a 16:1 box now , how many turns from stop to stop ?
 
Now that it is warming up here today. I’m going to do some investigating. This damn thing sits pretty low and my 61 yr old body is not cooperating when it’s cold
 
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Well, I jacked the car up and turned the steering wheel and this is definitely a 24:1 box@ 5 1/2 turns lock to lock. Tires have 8 inches of tread on the ground
 
8 inches is a lot of thread on the ground. Are those the tires ur going to stay with??
 
I’m not in a hurry, but I would guess the tires are not helping. And. A rim size change would have to be done as well​
 
It looks to me that the PO had set this car up for road handling. The backend has a sway bar and is about the same height off the ground as the front
 
Not to mention the clearance is really close on the steering arm and upper control arm. In the picture, you can see that it barely misses touching the tire
 
And running max pressure will also help. I used run my tires just a little over inflated and it made a big difference because tires leak air slowly but surely.
 
I don't know if this helps you or not, but here is my setup, and it absolutely sucks and will be changed when I am able.
  • 68 fastback
  • front tires 215/70/15
  • factory disk brakes and suspension (no sway bar)
  • original power steering box without the pump
  • all sheetmetal up front and a 318 and 727
  • tire pressure 30-32 psi
Armstrong power steering does work, but I can't negotiate a parking lot with a cup of coffee in my hands. Without it, it's easy enough.
 
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