Lets talk steering

[Zapato]

Been reading in the tech area and there are kinds of ''solutions'' that allow later drivetrains to be used. Personally have no desire to reinvent the wheel but definitely don't want the 57 box. Lots of options racks, delphi (gm),later Ford,Honda, Jeep power box ?year and probably a few more. Seems like they all have some good and bad comments, but what no one seems to say is how well they worked on the road.

Biggest issue I read is exhaust manifold clearance. Which has got me thinking has anyone used a box that mounts on the outside of the frame so that the bulk of it sits over the frame rather than inboard?  There has to be a much simpler solution out there. I understand why certain racks are used but if the celebrity rack is anything like the citation rack there's no way in hell I'd use one.

Anyway, if you've adapted something and are happy with ''driven'' results would love to hear about it. Really don't want to spend $1000- if there is something better at a reasonable price.

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[hiball3985]

I took the cheap easy way out and used the 58 box. Drives like dream.

[clusterbuster]

Been thinking of putting a 58 box in my sedan someday. Understand you lose the horn with that box. Did you find any other complications?

[Ecode70D]

I took the cheap easy way out and used the 58 box. Drives like dream.

IMO That's the best way to go.   Now if I could just find where I hid my spare 58 steering box that I put away in a safe place somewhere I'd be all set..

[RICH MUISE]

My major reason for going with the rack...after driving the car as a daily driver for over a year, the one thing I did not like about it was the number of turns on the steering wheel just to pull into a parking space..trying to parallel park was just crazy. Some of the new boxes like Borgenson's may also address that problem, I'm not sure. Sure, the STFabrications kits are 1,000, but that's alot better than the 1700. Rick what's-his-name was getting up to. Also to be considered with the cost of the rack are all the parts it replaces that you don't have to replace...tie rods, etc. Eliminated any clearance issues I might have had with exhaust also. I haven't driven mine yet obviously, but reports from guys that have indicate I'm not going to be disappointed.

[hiball3985]

Been thinking of putting a 58 box in my sedan someday. Understand you lose the horn with that box. Did you find any other complications?

Yes, you lose the horn unless you use the 58 column and wheel also, I didn't have either and used the 57 column and wheel. Only minor issue I had was with the wheel, 58 shaft is all splines, 57 is splines and one wide one like a key, I just filed that down. And be sure you get a 58 pitman arm with the box the 57 arm won't go on a 58 box.

[rmk57]

Don't you lose a lot of your turning radius with R/P system?

[RICH MUISE]

Don't you lose a lot of your turning radius with R/P system?

I understand there is some, but I haven't seen any figures indicating how much. I'll bet you could still turn around in a street faster with the power R & P than the manual, zillion turns steering.

[LAUDY57]

We have a Cherokee with a tight turn radius and I was shocked on the first run we went on this last summer with my r&p when I had to do a tight about face turn as the run returns back the way you came. I was heading for another parked car with the tires rubbing underneath and I thought I would have to do a stop in front of a bunch of people watching the cars!

[Zapato]

I'm aware of the 58 box being better but its still an ancient box and there has to be a better affordable solution specially if one wants power. On my 51 I used a Fatman kit for a Volvo ( horrors its foreign ) power box and it was some of the best money I spent on that car. Fairly quick easy steering with good road feel. Guess am going to crawl under the 51 and take a bunch of quick measurements and see if it would be easy to duplicate that on a 57. And if my memory serves me right Toyota ( horrors again ) mini trucks had a box that mounted on the outboard side of the frame.

Last thing I want is a system with cylinders and houses mounted on or to steering arms.

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[SkylinerRon]

Have you tried Borgeson? They seem to have boxes for everything.

Goodluck,

Ron.

[Ford Blue blood]

Looking at the Borgeson box drawings and measuring the stock box it looks like there is an extra 1" of clearance.  I have a 64 Galaxie box and it has almost an extra inch of clearance.  The Galaxie box is available as a rebuilt unit for just under $400, it is a manual and is a bolt in with the 64 pitman arm.  The Borgeson box is available as a complete kit and is a "bolt in".  All the options discussed here and previously require steering column modifications and/or replacement.

[Frankenstein57]

If I put power steering in my 58, I might try the Izuzu/ honda box, with the plate to adapt it to the bolt locations. I'll get a used box and go on the cheap.  Mark

[jumping jack flash]

I know one thing. There are a number of options for us. I want to be able to get parts from the boneyard, rebuild them and fabricate it to the car. Then rebuild a spare if all works out. Parts " dry up"  in supply in a way, that sneaks up on you. Currently I have a Cadillac Catera box. The coupling will be in the inside of the car. I don't have a lot of money in the setup yet , so I may change it. Whatever winds up in there it will be power steering, and cruise control.

[Zapato]

jjflash, seems we're both thinking alike. While knowing there are some almost standard solutions (Borgenson and others) none of them are budget friendly. And dialing 1-800-Parts has never been my approach as searching wrecking yards and swap meets are part of the fun. Whacking off the bottom half of a steering column and adding a support bearing in the tube is really not a big job, and grinding flats on the shaft for a double d-coupler is a no brainer. The 58 box and column swap to me brings few benefits. Sure the box is better but its still 56 years old. And you're still saddled with the deadly spear and a hellish job if you ever decide to remove it something a coupler simplifies. Would love to see and hear more of your Caddy swap.

There has to be another viable power non-rack option out there that doesn't cost around $1000 to implement.

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