Used Steering Box Pricing?

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Dragonbat13

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Not looking for the ultimate steal, but the average going rate. What should I be looking to pay, excluding shipping, on a usable 20:1 manual box for my Dart Sport? Im trying to decide if its worth it to get one or if I should just go all out with a Firm Feel power steering unit. Money is tight at the moment, and from what I understand this isnt a rare piece. I could be wrong on that though. However, I also need to get a pump, and all the pulleys. So the power steering chuck isnt the only part I would need. However, manual steering would require some column mods too since the car was originally a power steer.

I really would like to try manual steering to keep the engine bay clutter down, and I like the KISS factor also.

So what should I pay before I end up paying too much for the chuck? What about a column shaft?
 
I pick them up when I can and rebuild them. At swap meets I have paid 25.00-40.00 for boxes that are less than perfect. You can usually find one in good working order for 75.00- 100.00.
 
Dragonbat13 said:
Not looking for the ultimate steal, but the average going rate. What should I be looking to pay, excluding shipping, on a usable 20:1 manual box for my Dart Sport? Im trying to decide if its worth it to get one or if I should just go all out with a Firm Feel power steering unit. Money is tight at the moment, and from what I understand this isnt a rare piece. I could be wrong on that though. However, I also need to get a pump, and all the pulleys. So the power steering chuck isnt the only part I would need. However, manual steering would require some column mods too since the car was originally a power steer.

I really would like to try manual steering to keep the engine bay clutter down, and I like the KISS factor also.

So what should I pay before I end up paying too much for the chuck? What about a column shaft?
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The standard stock manual ratio is 24:1.

Mopar Performance sold a 20:1 gear set to install in a core box. Never that ratio from factory. I believe Firm Feel sells that ratio too. If someone was selling an stock aluminum box that has been converted, I'd suspect it to be roughly 50% total cost from those new cast iron 16:1 boxes.

64-69 you could get optional 16:1 ratio on A-bodies. Prices for these are many times greater than regular 24:1.
 
autoxcuda said:
The standard stock manual ratio is 24:1.

Mopar Performance sold a 20:1 gear set to install in a core box. Never that ratio from factory. I believe Firm Feel sells that ratio too. If someone was selling an stock aluminum box that has been converted, I'd suspect it to be roughly 50% total cost from those new cast iron 16:1 boxes.

64-69 you could get optional 16:1 ratio on A-bodies. Prices for these are many times greater than regular 24:1.
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This is correct, I have heard that the 20-1 box originated with the '64 nascar package Hemi B bodies.
I had one in a 440 Challenger years ago, bought it from Mopar Performance and had a local shop instal it in a 24-1 box I had.
It makes a worthwhile improvement for a street car, takes out one full turn lock to lock. Doesn't sound like much, but made driving the car much better over the stock 24-1 piece. I would never put a 24-1 box in a street car again!
Now if you like to autocross, forget it, too slow!
 
sccachallenger said:
Now if you like to autocross, forget it, too slow!
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I dunno, I like my 16:1 Flaming River box and I run 275's up front. As long as I'm doing over 10mph life is great. :thumbsup: AutoX should be faster than that on most courses, at least most of the time.

But yeah, stock boxes in good shape I usually see going for around $50-$100. A 20:1 box will probably set you back around $200 though, because that will be a rebuilt box with an aftermarket gear, no factory 20:1 boxes. I've picked up my 16:1 Flaming river boxes for around $300 (retail is over $600), I have bought 2 around that price. They were both second hand but were both 0 miles, one was never even installed. They're out there.
 
sccachallenger said:
This is correct, I have heard that the 20-1 box originated with the '64 nascar package Hemi B bodies.
I had one in a 440 Challenger years ago, bought it from Mopar Performance and had a local shop instal it in a 24-1 box I had.
It makes a worthwhile improvement for a street car, takes out one full turn lock to lock. Doesn't sound like much, but made driving the car much better over the stock 24-1 piece. I would never put a 24-1 box in a street car again!
Now if you like to autocross, forget it, too slow!
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The 20:1 gear set was created for the Kit Car local short track program.

Not sure what type steering gear a '64 Grand National car had. But by the late 60's they were using a box competely different than a passenger car manual box. Much beefier.
 
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autoxcuda said:
The 20:1 gear set was created for the Kit Car local short track program.

Not sure what type steering gear a '64 Grand National car had. But by the late 60's they were using a box competely different than a passenger car manual box. Much beefier.
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Yep, I'm talking about a '64 Plymouth street car that was in Mopar Action magazine, I guess it was built to homologate some engine or chassis parts for FIA or nascar. At the time it was owned by the same couple that owned one of the "Color Me Gone" cars. And yeah, Nichels built stock cars had a Saginaw box that has no OEM connection that I'm aware of.
 
sccachallenger said:
Yep, I'm talking about a '64 Plymouth street car that was in Mopar Action magazine, I guess it was built to homologate some engine or chassis parts for FIA or nascar. At the time it was owned by the same couple that owned one of the "Color Me Gone" cars. And yeah, Nichels built stock cars had a Saginaw box that has no OEM connection that I'm aware of.
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Odcics here is an expert on the Mopar Grand National cars. He owns a few.
 
"Quick ratio" manual steering boxes were optional from 65-69, at 16:1 only 3 1/2 turns lock-to-lock. More common are the 20:1 steering boxes (4 1/2 turns) from 70 on. 20:1 is the better choice for a b- or e- car, and probably in an A-body daily driver as well." (Quoted from Performance Handling for Classic Mopars by Tom Condran.)

That is what made me decide to go with a 20:1, however something came up, and it really belongs in a new thread.
 
When I buy a new a-body, the first few mods that I do are:
20:1 steering box
Firm Feel 1 1/8" sway bar
Bilsteins or KYB shocks
New tires.
 
Dragonbat13 said:
"Quick ratio" manual steering boxes were optional from 65-69, at 16:1 only 3 1/2 turns lock-to-lock. More common are the 20:1 steering boxes (4 1/2 turns) from 70 on. 20:1 is the better choice for a b- or e- car, and probably in an A-body daily driver as well." (Quoted from Performance Handling for Classic Mopars by Tom Condran.)

That is what made me decide to go with a 20:1, however something came up, and it really belongs in a new thread.
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Either that is misquoted or it's incorrect.

There was never a 20:1 stock manual steering box. It originated for the kit car program then sold through the DC/MP catalogs

Same 24:1 box in all standard manual box in passenger cars
 
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