Steer & Gear Rebuild Feel

[rklewis1005]

I'm going to have Steer and Gear rebuild the gearbox and pump. They gave me the 4 options below but since I have zero clue what it felt like originally (brother never let me drive it 40 years ago before it was parked due to rust) I'm not sure which I should choose.

1970 Charger SE 383HP Auto

I'd love to hear from someone who has theirs rebuilt and which feels they chose. Are you happy with it?

Pics because y'all like pics

Thanks
Ross

Stock: original feel

Modern: feels like today's pickup truck and large SUV

Sport: feels like today's Charger's and Challenger's

Rally: feels like today's European sports cars

 

[62plymw]

i had steer and gear rebuild several ps pumps and gear boxes for me always worked great and newer extra firm feeling for my 2 68 coronet rts. at one time they were at the nationals selling and exchanging their pumps and boxes. the good old days

 

[rklewis1005]

i had steer and gear rebuild several ps pumps and gear boxes for me always worked great and newer extra firm feeling for my 2 68 coronet rts. at one time they were at the nationals selling and exchanging their pumps and boxes. the good old days

I wonder if they consider it modern or sport in the above categories?

 

[pnora]

I went with stage 2 on firm feels box. Feels good. So Modern should be good. Like you said you never drove it and have no idea on how it feels.

 

[3white74]

I have stage 1 in both my b bodies ...love it over original which has a lot of float or wandering all over the road if you want to call it that..... Stage one definitely eliminates that and tightens it up

 

[PRND21]

I had my box and Saginaw pump rebuilt by Steer and Gear about 17 years ago. I believe it is the Sport version, much better road feel, no more loosey goosey stock feel. Feels like a modern rack and pinion setup. I highly recommend it. This is in my 65 Belvedere.

 

[ckessel]

The perceived "feel" is going to depend on what you normally drive for a daily driver. For me, it was an 04.5 Cummins 3500 2X Dually. Factory rack and pinion unit. I had the usual 3 options discussion with Dick at Firm Feel many years ago when I ordered up a box for my 65. Since I was already used to a heavy feel, a stage 3 box was no big deal.

 

[AR67GTX]

I just finished installing my Steer and Gear rebuilt box I purchased a year ago. I believe it’s the Sport version but I would need to check to be 100% sure. It has a heavier feel but still good assist and in my limited driving with it so far I’m finding it very tight on center - no wander. I also had a very good experience dealing with them and they took in my old manual box for a $200 core credit. I talked to Firm Feel but they were higher and I don’t think they were willing to give me anything on my old box.

 

[Black_Sheep]

It’s been a long time, but I believe that I ordered their Stage 3 for the GTX. It did away with the over-assisted feel of the stock box, especially at speed.

 

[Garceau]

This is great information.

I posted last week about ditching my PS because it was so loose. It wasn't sloppy like the it was having issues at the joints. Just too "easy" and NOT a firm feel.

I was looking to swap to manual just to firm it up. But now liking this option

 

[rklewis1005]

This is great information.

I posted last week about ditching my PS because it was so loose. It wasn't sloppy like the it was having issues at the joints. Just too "easy" and NOT a firm feel.

I was looking to swap to manual just to firm it up. But now liking this option

I boxed it up and sent it in. Along with the pump, Pittman and Idler Arms. Getting them rebuilt - trying to keep as many original parts as I can.

I decided to go Modern as that's what S&G and others here recommended. Don't wait on my feedback though as I'm not expecting to get the body back until August or later to start reassembly.

 

[AR67GTX]

I had both my 66 with a fresh S&G box and my 67 with a 20 year old but few miles Firm Feel, level 2 box out for a short drive this week. Both work well but the S&G is heavier feel. I’ve always felt the Firm Feel box was a bit lighter than expected. I will also give the S&G top marks for best on center feel and lack of play.

 

[68 Sport Satellite]

I had both my 66 with a fresh S&G box and my 67 with a 20 year old but few miles Firm Feel, level 2 box out for a short drive this week. Both work well but the S&G is heavier feel. I’ve always felt the Firm Feel box was a bit lighter than expected. I will also give the S&G top marks for best on center feel and lack of play.

what level description is the Steer and Gear Box? I had a Firm Feel level 2 box that was a rebuild of my original box. It felt light, but not too light - maybe just a little bit heavier would have been perfect...but the 11 to 1 o'clock dead zone was very irritating. I think with the stock mopar feel being so light and overpowered that the 11 to 1 o'clock dead zone is not as noticeable. Once you go to FF stage 2 or 3, that center dead zone is more easily felt. I've read recently that mopar did that intentionally to prevent the need to correct every little bump and line in the road while on longer highway drives. Not sure if this is true, but I can sort of see a bit of merit to that theory as to it helping on some long stretch roads.

I now have a Borgeson box installed, which gets rid of the middle dead spot, BUT I was surprised that it actually feels lighter than my previous Firm Feel Stage 2. I was expecting it to feel a little firmer. It definitely feels more precise and saves a ton of size and weight!

 

[Billccm]

I had Steer and Gear rebuild my steering box and pitman arm. I asked for stock rebuild, but it feels much firmer than stock to me.

 

[68 Sport Satellite]

I had Steer and Gear rebuild my steering box and pitman arm. I asked for stock rebuild, but it feels much firmer than stock to me.

I wonder if it feels firmer than a high mileage stock unit or a brand new stock unit or if there is no difference between the two?

 

[AR67GTX]

what level description is the Steer and Gear Box? I had a Firm Feel level 2 box that was a rebuild of my original box. It felt light, but not too light - maybe just a little bit heavier would have been perfect...but the 11 to 1 o'clock dead zone was very irritating. I think with the stock mopar feel being so light and overpowered that the 11 to 1 o'clock dead zone is not as noticeable. Once you go to FF stage 2 or 3, that center dead zone is more easily felt. I've read recently that mopar did that intentionally to prevent the need to correct every little bump and line in the road while on longer highway drives. Not sure if this is true, but I can sort of see a bit of merit to that theory as to it helping on some long stretch roads.

I now have a Borgeson box installed, which gets rid of the middle dead spot, BUT I was surprised that it actually feels lighter than my previous Firm Feel Stage 2. I was expecting it to feel a little firmer. It definitely feels more precise and saves a ton of size and weight!

The Sport version.

 

[Kern Dog]

I am sold on Borgeson.
Dwayne is right...

With the stock Mopar steering boxes, the 11 to 1 o'clock dead zone is very irritating. I think with the stock Mopar feel being so light and overpowered that the 11 to 1 o'clock dead zone is not as noticeable. Once you go to FF stage 2 or 3, that center dead zone is more easily felt.

Excellent point. With super boosted pumps and steering boxes that steered as if the tires were on greased ice, you don't notice the slop at the center of the wheel. Once the boost is lowered or the steering box is rebuilt with stiffer springs, that slop is immediately evident.
No alignment settings or adjustment of the steering box can completely eliminate that slop.
I have stock steering boxes in 3 cars out back, one has the Fast ratio arms. They steer fine but not like the Borgeson equipped car does.

 

[Mopar Hunter]

I now have a Borgeson box installed, which gets rid of the middle dead spot, BUT I was surprised that it actually feels lighter than my previous Firm Feel Stage 2. I was expecting it to feel a little firmer. It definitely feels more precise and saves a ton of size and weight!

I am sold on Borgeson.
Dwayne is right...

X3
Installed a Borgeson in my friend’s Charger, it was the best upgrade to his car. I bought one for my Charger, getting ready to install it any day now.

I can understand keeping it stock or original, when it comes to safety, you can’t beat better steering, brakes and new wiring harnesses.

 

[68 Sport Satellite]

Knowing what I know now, if Borgeson wasn't available, I'd do a FF Stage 1 or the lowest upgrade from stock from Steer and Gear AND upgrade my steering wheel from the large stock diameter to a 15" or 14" and call it a day.

 

[Nxcoupe]

i had steer and gear rebuild several ps pumps and gear boxes for me always worked great and newer extra firm feeling for my 2 68 coronet rts. at one time they were at the nationals selling and exchanging their pumps and boxes. the good old days

They are still set up there every year. They are based in Columbus.