FirmFeel level 2 or 3 steering box

[Southside]

Everyone has a preference. I have had a 3 in my car for almost a year and enjoy the feel going down the road. Parking is like not that bad, but I spend more time going down the road then parking it. Some guys and gals prefer 2. Decide what you would enjoy. You know you can call them and talk to the tech dept. and they have excellent opinions and they told me about some of the customers that have given them good feedback. Good luck.

 

[tallhair]

That was supposed to be a link to shimming the pressure regulator hat I cannot find now. I will keep looking. It was in all the big magazines when it came out. Here it is. Straight from Rick Ehrenberg. If Rick says it works, it WORKS. I really like that guy.

Ebooger is far and away my favorite guys to read.

 

[SureGrip]

That was supposed to be a link to shimming the pressure regulator hat I cannot find now. I will keep looking. It was in all the big magazines when it came out.

Here it is. Straight from Rick Ehrenberg. If Rick says it works, it WORKS. I really like that guy.

http://www.moparaction.com/Tech/beep/PUMP_IT_DOWN-re-v1.4.pdf

That was the exact article I thought about when I saw this thread, great link.

 

[Jeremiah]

I would go with the Firm Feel box way before lowering the pump pressure. By the time you lower the pump pressure to the point that the steering feel is acceptable you have essentially under powered the hydraulic system and will have issues at low speeds as well as putting undue stress on the internals of the steering box (lots of heat). If you are cheap or broke experimenting with shimming the pump is ok but if you want it right call Dick Ross at Firm Feel.

That said if you are looking to knock the edge off of your power steering system the pump shimming trick will get you there.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Oh bull crap. Some people got nothin better to do. "Underpowered the hydraulic system".......what a frikkin joke.

 

[5.7 hemi]

Oh bull crap. Some people got nothin better to do. "Underpowered the hydraulic system".......what a frikkin joke. Hehehe, Funny!!!

 

[arsinist01]

Honestly I was considering a firm feel box, until I looked at the price of one at a local parts store lol. So I went with a remanned one with a warranty, and the steering was massively improved and a lot stiffer. I think a firm feel might have been a bit over the top after what I switched too, mine was so sloppy that just a stocker was a big improvement lol.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Just read that Mopar Action article. Ehrenberg hisself would even tell you. It clearly said the lowered pump pressure had NO adverse affect. I talked with face to face at length at the Mopar Nats in 2011. He's a super nice guy always willing to help. He won't print it unless it works 100%.

 

[68 Sport Satellite]

That was supposed to be a link to shimming the pressure regulator hat I cannot find now. I will keep looking. It was in all the big magazines when it came out.

Here it is. Straight from Rick Ehrenberg. If Rick says it works, it WORKS. I really like that guy.



http://www.moparaction.com/Tech/beep/PUMP_IT_DOWN-re-v1.4.pdf

I think it only works with Saginaw pumps though and not federal. I know because I found out after disassembling my federal pump. There may be other advantages to the ff boxes too that the pump shim thing won't do.

- - - Updated - - -

what are these other "suspension upgrades" you speak of?

One bushing under hood and one under dash replaced
Magnum Force 2" drop spindles
New .092" torsion bars
Hotchkis upper control arms and steering rods
Hotchkis front sway bar
New lower control arm rubber bushings
Boxed the lower control arms with welded plates
Global west tubular end welded subframe connectors
Torque boxes welded at all four corners
New edelbrock IAS front shocks
New Bilstein rear shocks
New hotchkis leaf springs and shackles
Stock pinion snubber
Firm feel frame hung rear sway bar

Did I miss anything? I think I replaced everything possible. I am running 15" white letter radials though and they are my weakest link.

 

[tallhair]

One bushing under hood and one under dash replaced
Magnum Force 2" drop spindles
New .092" torsion bars
Hotchkis upper control arms and steering rods
Hotchkis front sway bar
New lower control arm rubber bushings
Boxed the lower control arms with welded plates
Global west tubular end welded subframe connectors
Torque boxes welded at all four corners
New edelbrock IAS front shocks
New Bilstein rear shocks
New hotchkis leaf springs and shackles
Stock pinion snubber
Firm feel frame hung rear sway bar

Did I miss anything? I think I replaced everything possible. I am running 15" white letter radials though and they are my weakest link.

thanks. i'm thinking of going the same/upgrade everything route for much improved handling, including rear sway bar. I was looking at firmfeel, hotchkiss, and someone else's stuff. thinking of either buying firmfeel stiffened k-frame, tubular upper, and stiffened factory lower control arms, or having my LCA and K-frame welded up with the same mods, rear sway bar, beefed front, perhaps stiffer than existing stock hemi leafs, good shock, balljoints, tie rods, pitman, etc and stiffening with torque boxes, and subframe connectors, and adding bracing to other areas, and 2 or 4 (mainly for cool factor) wheel disc set up. I'll probably run 15 X 7 cop wheels i have now at least initially, adjustable pinion snubber for occasional track use, and upgrade to new 17" Rallys later.

probably not the dropped spindles though...and i do need to rebuild my steering column as it sounded like something was rubbing, grating, and grabbing like a bearing the last time it was on the road. I'm also pretty sure steering sector is shot so adjusted too tight, but i'm replacing it anyway and i'm pretty sure the column needs rebuilt as was getting worse over the years before parking it.

 

[68 Sport Satellite]

I think it only works with Saginaw pumps though and not federal. I know because I found out after disassembling my federal pump. There may be other advantages to the ff boxes too that the pump shim thing won't do.

- - - Updated - - -



One bushing under hood and one under dash replaced
Magnum Force 2" drop spindles
New .092" torsion bars
Hotchkis upper control arms and steering rods
Hotchkis front sway bar
New lower control arm rubber bushings
Boxed the lower control arms with welded plates
Global west tubular end welded subframe connectors
Torque boxes welded at all four corners
New edelbrock IAS front shocks
New Bilstein rear shocks
New hotchkis leaf springs and shackles
Stock pinion snubber
Firm feel frame hung rear sway bar

Did I miss anything? I think I replaced everything possible. I am running 15" white letter radials though and they are my weakest link.

Almost forgot! Also new stock struts, Firm Feel sector support, and fast ratio idler and pitman arms from Firm Feel. Those fast ratio arms made a HUGE improvement in steering response.

 

[tallhair]

Almost forgot! Also new stock struts, Firm Feel sector support, and fast ratio idler and pitman arms from Firm Feel. Those fast ratio arms made a HUGE improvement in steering response.

'
i'm assuming the thing must run like it's on rails now, because you did everything shy of eliminating the torsion bars and leaf springs. which is pretty much what i want to do except, i'll rebuild steering column, and will also Firm Feel SS, prob level 2, with some additional body stiffening.

- - - Updated - - -

That was supposed to be a link to shimming the pressure regulator hat I cannot find now. I will keep looking. It was in all the big magazines when it came out.

Here it is. Straight from Rick Ehrenberg. If Rick says it works, it WORKS. I really like that guy.

http://www.moparaction.com/Tech/beep/PUMP_IT_DOWN-re-v1.4.pdf

i like him too and read the article. but it didn't look to me like he was suggesting only do that mod, as he was advocating new rebuilt steering sectors, and mentioned the firm feel. i felt like this article was on another piece that would augment a switch to a rebuilt, possibly, firm fell box.

 

[Jeremiah]

Oh bull crap. Some people got nothin better to do. "Underpowered the hydraulic system".......what a frikkin joke. Hehehe, Funny!!!

Explain please...

What is your experience?

 

[5.7 hemi]

Dont have any. I was quoting form an earlier post and guess I didn't get the quote signs up. I wrote, "hehehe, funny" cause it made me laugh.

 

[Jeremiah]

My point was that for my personal tastes by the time I turned the pump pressure down to the point that I was happy with the steering feel the box would groan at low RPM aka tight turns in a parking lot.

 

[5.7 hemi]

I'm sure in any hydraulic system there is a need for a minimum amount of pressure to operate properly.....auto trans springs to mind.

 

[68 Sport Satellite]

'
i'm assuming the thing must run like it's on rails now, because you did everything shy of eliminating the torsion bars and leaf springs. which is pretty much what i want to do except, i'll rebuild steering column, and will also Firm Feel SS, prob level 2, with some additional body stiffening.

- - - Updated - - -



i like him too and read the article. but it didn't look to me like he was suggesting only do that mod, as he was advocating new rebuilt steering sectors, and mentioned the firm feel. i felt like this article was on another piece that would augment a switch to a rebuilt, possibly, firm fell box.

Not exactly "on rails", but then again I still have 15" tires. It's still a big heavy car and doesn't handle as well as my Honda, but it is much much better than before the upgrades.

 

[rrTor-Red]

FF has my gear box and PS unit for rebuild. They said there's a 3 1/2 to 4 week turnaround time. Good thing I got the patience and can't wait to get them back. Will be ordering other things from them as well.

 

[70GTX Texas]

I just finished a complete Firmfeel system throughout my car (70 GTX). I got the largest firmfeel hollow bar on the front, 1.06 torsion bars, tubular upper, reinforcement plates for the lower, the large tie rods, the power steering coupler, firmfeel stage 3 box, leaf springs, shackles, rear sway bar, bilistien shocks and 4 wheel drilled and slotted power disc brakes from MBM Brakes.

Before adding anything, the car literally felt like it was going to tip over everything was shot on it and the rear leafs were different lengths by 2 1/2 inches.

The ride is now that like my 2013 2500 4X4 GMC Denali and it handles like my 2011 malibu. Sticks the corners pretty good, little issue with the feel of the brakes though. The pedal is pretty hard.

 

[rrTor-Red]

Went level 2 in my 71 but have not driven it yet. Getting close though!!!!

I have a 3 in mine. As crazycarguy says, I haven't driven mine yet too, but getting there. Many have said the 3 was better in the long run (in a post a while ago by another member). Some factors to think of-What type of driving? Just a cruiser? Also, how much of a motor you have as well. I say that last one because if you have a 500+ hp motor you don't want a steering that you can't feel or counter if need be from the motor (if need to make quick steering choices)

I'd do this. 1. Find the post about it. 2. See what others are saying about it on your posting. 3. Call Firm Feel and talk to Dick. He is very knowledgeable and have done many trial and error in his products to make a conscious decision on your own.
Good luck and keep us posted