Which steering box?

[NikBraap]

I am upgrading to a swing steer setup w/ ram assist, etc. on my 96 Bronco Prerunner.
Already worn out the "ambulance steering"...

Howe recommends this:
700 Series Saginaw 1/F 3-Bolt box.
T-HI VOL 1650 KR pump.
And their reservoir w/ filter, ram, cooler, etc.

Does that sound like a good way to go?
Any other boxes I should consider?
How about newer Ford Truck boxes?
Is the Saginaw box stronger than the stock Bronco box (which could be re-built)?

I did some googleing about the topic, but could not get much out of it, other than people switching to Saginaw.

Thanks!!!

[PaulW]

Call T Lee and ask the same question.
He rebuilt my stock 96 one and set it up for ram assist. So far its good. I use a canned ham Sag pump he tweaked.

[NikBraap]

That's what I just did. Waiting for T Lee to call me back.

[VintageIronFab]

I think Tom Lee is having some serious health problems so that might be a problem. I too wonder what is involved in using the Superduty steering box. If you have the time and skill or the funds I think the Saginaw box has such better support from the aftermarket vs the ford parts. That to me would make the saginaw box a better choice for someone really hammering on their truck. The argument of being able to find a leaking, worn out but still functional box off a farm truck in the middle of anywhere USA or Baja is also a good argument.

[PaulW]

Super duties in the 99 and later used two vendors. One was plagued with recalls and the other one worked good with no recalls or tsbs. Good luck in distinguishing between them. The reports were careful to avoid the vendors names.

[Wrightracing.net]

I have a 99 F350 Superduty and I had the OEM Sector shaft break off. I have heard from a bunch of other guys have the same issue. I got a replacement from NAPA and it has been good for the last 8 years.

[Rmc]

Last I checked it was 5k for howes stuff not including swings, hiems or links. For that reason i would entertain the psc set up. It also used a sag box and the sags can be purchased in different ratios from jegs or summit.

[Seabass]

Anyone know what the factory application was for this bolt on Saginaw gear box?

[NikBraap]

Going with a mix of stuff. Will post update when it's all done.

[BIG-B]

Has anyone ever figured out what the sag box came on???

[BIG-B]

If anyone is interested, after many many many hours of research: the bad a$$ box is a Saginaw/Delphi 680 box. The GM part number 88965542.

[VintageIronFab]

So what did that come on?

[VintageIronFab]

Year

Make

Model

Details

Notes

2003-2005

Cadillac

Escalade

4WD Models

2002-2006

Chevrolet

Avalanche

1500 Model 4WD [GM PART NUMBER - 88965542]

2003-2004

Chevrolet

Suburban

1500 Model 4WD [GM PART NUMBER - 88965542]

2003-2006

Chevrolet

Tahoe

4WD Models with GM PART NUMBER - 88965542

2003-2006

GMC

Yukon

1500 Model 4WD [GM PART NUMBER - 88965542]

[VintageIronFab]

The input shaft appears to be vastly different than the normal 36 splined type you see on many of the trucks out there.

[cs_drums]

So why is this thing so bad ass?

[baja-chris]

Is it an inside frame box or and outside frame box?
Is it a 4-bolt or a 3-bolt?
What ratio is it?
What sector splines?
Why is it better than other Saginaw boxes?

BTW, did you know that some Chevy and Ford Saginaw boxes appear to have interchangeable pitman arms as but the Ford is slightly bigger so if you put a Ford pitman arm on the Chevy box it slides down too far on the sector and looks like it fits and gets tight but it actually bottoms out on the tapered splines and never really gets tight. If you put a Chevy pitman on that same Chevy sector it gets tight about 3/16" higher up on the splines and goes full tight before bottoming the splines. We found this after about 2000 race miles, our pitman was loose. It was tight when new but worked loose because it was bottomed on the splines. Made a new pitman using a Chevy core and fits much better. BTW, we are using a Chevy Saginaw box because we wanted a 4-bolt inside frame box and that is what we had. I think it's from a mid-80's Chevy 4x4 but not sure. Does anyone have a list of Saginaw boxes and applications? For example what trucks had a 4-bolt, inside frame box? Bronco's came with a 3-bolt inside frame box.

[Seabass]

http://www.hemmings.com/hmn/stories/201 ... ure32.html more info to add to the confusion. I did a ton or googleing on this and haven't gotten too far but I did find a bunch of links with some info I'll add when I have time. It would be awesome if we could find an inside frame quick ratio box with the correct frame pattern.

[Seabass]

Big b where did you find that? Im thinking there isn't a gm part number for a sag box with a ford pattern.

[philofab]

I remember John Bitting or Curtis Guise having that pitman arm issue Chris.

Whenever I get around to it I am going to install a box from a Chevy Duramax (GMT800 truck). Not going to mod the box mounting, just going to change the frame mount. It's a lot easier than searching for some super rare box.

[ChaseTruck754]

Not going to mod the box mounting, just going to change the frame mount. It's a lot easier than searching for some super rare box.

This was my plan for the next dirt toy build & it's what I have already done on my crew cab.

Crew has a 4 bolt, outboard of frame mounted saginaw box off a 90's dodge.

Next dirt project should have a 4 bolt inboard of frame mounted sag. box. Should be fairly easy to modify a bronco mount to take one of these.