3rd gen box VS. 1st gen rebuild

68driver · Jan 31, 2005

I've read several posts about converting to a 3rd gen IROC steering box. Does this offer any advantages over a 1st gen box rebuilt with faster ratio internals?

A shop in Michigan (Harry's) quoted me $225 for a fast ratio rebuild on my original box. This seems pretty close to the cost of a 3rd gen conversion after you factor in the fittings required. ($140 for the Cardone box + $65 for the fittings from Lee Steering)

Brian Lewis · Jan 31, 2005

The $65 fron Lee Steering includes a new Rag Joint. The rebuilt 1st gen fast ratio is going to be overassisted where as the third gen fast ratio feels solid with less power assist, more like todays sports cars.

Mike68RS · Jan 31, 2005

The fittings from Lee are only about $12.00. The $65.00 price also includes a new rag joint. The advantges of rebuilding your old box is you don't need a new rag joint or the fittings, plus you can probably choose the ratio you want.

Mike

Mike68RS · Jan 31, 2005

Brian, damn you type fast!

Mike

68driver · Jan 31, 2005

Thanks for quick response Brian.
The price from Harry's included the rag joint too. (unless I misunderstood... I'll double check).
They also told me that their rebuild increases steering effort similar to a 3rd gen box.

68driver · Jan 31, 2005

You're pretty quick too Mike.

TJS69 · Jan 31, 2005

Make sure that the rebuilt box is also firm valving and not just a quicker ratio. I had the optional fast ratio box and it was not what I wanted. I now have a variable ratio AGR box and could not be happier. I tried their 12:1 ratio box, and it was too twitchy feeling. Many people like the third gen. box although the ackerman angle is not correct. I don't know if the AGR's is either.

fyrefighter103 · Jan 31, 2005

Whats a ackerman angle?
Phil

TJS69 · Jan 31, 2005

http://members.cox.net/bdfelice/Ackerman/ackerman.htm

http://www.uk-hotrods.co.uk/technical/tech%20steering/steering.htm

http://www.stockcarproducts.com/susp18b.htm

I'm not an engineer so I don't know what this REALLY means but I was told by someone in the know - not to do it.

[ 01-31-2005, 04:25 PM: Message edited by: TJS69 ]

JimM · Jan 31, 2005

Lots of reading.... think I'll skip it. Ackerman is when the outside wheel turns more (or is it less, anyway, it's different) than the inside wheel. It's directly related to the length of the pitman arm versus the length of the steering arms at the wheels. (ie: if the steering arms and pitman arm are the same length, the wheels would turn in, or out, the SAME amount, but they're not, so they don't.

The steering box doesn't have anything to dowith ackerman, the pitman arm does, and we don' change that.

3rd gen box VS. 1st gen rebuild

68driver

Brian Lewis

Mike68RS

Mike68RS

68driver

68driver

TJS69

fyrefighter103

TJS69

JimM

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