Author Topic: Steering box options  (Read 13202 times)

Offline PlumCrazyChris

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Re: Steering box options
« Reply #15 on: August 10, 2007 - 10:01:46 AM »
I've used cop car gear boxes on both my challengers and love them.  I got them out of mid-80's diplomat and gran fury cop cars.  The ones I got were in good shape and come with trans fluid cooler too.  I just swapped a new pitman arm on and they worked very well.  I love the firmer steering, much more like a modern car.  Each box cost about $35 at a junkyard, but pulling them is a real pain.  You have to pull the exhaust manifold and cut off the exhaust pipe to get it out.  I think I had to remove the battery box too. 

If you have a small block, those cop cars have great kickdown linkage too.  I'm told they all have the 11.75" discs up front too.  They also have much more stout transmissions.  Lot of great parts on a cop cars. 

Don't overlook rebuilding the steering coupler too, they need to be packed with fresh grease.  I think year one, hardens or the paddock have those parts new.  It can really take the slop out of the steering if they are worn. 
PlumCrazyChris
Mopar Muscle Cars of Austin
Round Rock Tx
70 Challenger 5.7, A518, A/C
70 Challenger 340 convertible (Gone to Sweden)
68 Barracuda (sold it too)
www.mopar.org




Offline 70challengerrt

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Re: Steering box options
« Reply #16 on: August 10, 2007 - 04:57:21 PM »
Plumbcrazy
What did you use for the pitman arm. Is it from the same cop car? Is it the same lenght as the challenger? I am ordering my box from carquest, I took the parts number for the police car box. I know the sector shaft is bigger and the pitman arm is the hang up.

Offline EvilTwinATX

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Re: Steering box options
« Reply #17 on: August 10, 2007 - 05:05:58 PM »
Hey Chris! Good to see you on the board.

I just bought a Police box from NAPAOnline... hope to get it soon.

Brent

Offline LAA66

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Re: Steering box options
« Reply #18 on: August 11, 2007 - 10:27:38 AM »
  I like the police box idea and anxiously await the results.  :popcorn:

 When changing the pitman arm (say longer) would the idler arm need to be adjusted accordingly?

 I plan to also replace the the upper control arm bushings with the offset units available from Moog. Then set the Caster to at least 2 degrees positive for better high speed stability. (The best I could do with the factory set up was about 0 and that made a big difference). In theory this should also make the power steering work harder to turn the car which would give a more modern vehicle feel. 

Offline HP2

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Re: Steering box options
« Reply #19 on: August 11, 2007 - 02:50:35 PM »
The factory AAR/TA did not come with a matching fast ratio ilder, but I would recommended it to make them match the pitman arm. This avoids any potential alignment issues or unsual steering response or bump steer. The more symetrical a car i s made, the predicitable it becomes.

Offline LAA66

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Re: Steering box options
« Reply #20 on: August 11, 2007 - 09:43:13 PM »
 HP2, DO YOU HAVE A PART NUMBER OR A SUPPLIER? (for both parts?)   :woohoo:
« Last Edit: August 12, 2007 - 11:50:02 AM by LAA66 »

Offline HP2

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Re: Steering box options
« Reply #21 on: August 12, 2007 - 12:04:00 PM »
I get mine from Firm Feel. I beleive other places like PST, Just Suspension, Blue Zombie, and Year One can also get them.

http://www.firmfeel.com/

Offline MJS73

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Re: Steering box options
« Reply #22 on: August 14, 2007 - 02:49:10 PM »
Quote
MJS73, do you know what the difference is between the stage2 or stage3?

I don't.  I went with Stage 2 because I figured it would give the best all-around feel.  I wanted to get away from the loose stock feel, but not so tight that it was annoying to drive.  The feel is very similar to any modern car, not too much, not too little.  Go with Stage 3 if you're looking for more.

Mike
www.mikes73.com
Don't PM me - send me an e-mail at mjsavage2001@yahoo.com


Offline EvilTwinATX

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Re: Steering box options
« Reply #23 on: August 14, 2007 - 07:21:02 PM »
Got my steering box from Napa today.. Looks sweet but I have yet to measure and compare to the stock box to make sure it will fit. I shouldn't have a problem though.. PLumCrazyChris (above) has used this gearbox in both of his Challengers..

Brent


Offline 70challengerrt

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Re: Steering box options
« Reply #24 on: August 14, 2007 - 07:32:41 PM »
Hey Brent what pitman arm are you going to use? The shaft should be bigger on that box.

Offline EvilTwinATX

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Re: Steering box options
« Reply #25 on: August 15, 2007 - 12:32:03 AM »
Okay .. I did the measurements and the boxes are the exact same! Only very minor differences.. and nothing that should affect fitment. So I am very happy .. I drove plumcrazychris's Challenger briefly and the steering was very nice.

As far as the pitman arm you should be able to order a large sector pitman from Advanced or any autoparts place for between 30 to 75 bucks.. I am going to get a new one. My orginal one is shot.


Offline 70challengerrt

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Re: Steering box options
« Reply #26 on: August 15, 2007 - 07:00:30 PM »
What year and model car did you use for getting your box? Do you remeber the part number?

Offline EvilTwinATX

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Re: Steering box options
« Reply #27 on: August 15, 2007 - 10:09:18 PM »
1989 Dodge Diplomat SE Police P/S Gear Box
Product Number:   NSP276515
www.napaonline.com

Offline HP2

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Re: Steering box options
« Reply #28 on: August 16, 2007 - 01:08:24 PM »
Your local Dodge dealer has the coupler rebuild kit.

4443436AC, coupler-steering pot rebuild package,$9.25

Offline 70challengerrt

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Re: Steering box options
« Reply #29 on: August 30, 2007 - 09:27:31 PM »
Ok today I opened my box with my gear box in and thought I would check the numbers on the box for some reason. Sure enough the numbers were not the  276515 for the cop car box instead the number for the regular box. I call up the carquest I got it from and they said that was the replacement number the other number was no longer used. So I went to the local salvage yard and found a couple of cars that could be candidates. What years/ models were used as cop cars? Is there a letter in the vin to help id them?