I have a 1979 Pontiac LeMans Station wagon I did a 6.0 swap on. Now I am moving on to the steering. I have already replaced the intermediate shaft with a Jeep shaft and that helped a lot. But I still have some play in the gear box that causes wondering going down the road.
I have read up on several steering box options for swaps. And I looked on RockAuto's website and they list a close ratio gear box that's supposed to be a direct bolt in. Here are the stats:
10:1 Fast Ratio
2.5 turns lock to lock
This is listed as a Lares 1105 part number. I called Lares and they were not able to get me the degree swing for the output shaft, I thought this was odd. Has anyone run this box yet? Does it lessen the turn radius?
When looking at the application listing on RockAuto's website it looks like this might be out of a B-body car. When I called Lares, they said they list it as a 77-79 GM car box.
I did some forum searches for this part, but so far haven't come up with anything.
Conclusion:
I got the box, it is installed, works great! It did have flare fittings in it, so my old hoses bolted up to it.
Turning radius does not seem to be decreased, but I didn't do an official measurement before and after.
I would recommend this upgrade if you have a 605 box. You will need an 800 series pitman arm though. I ended up getting one from Allstar performance (PN ALL56357), they had a dealer down the road from my work. Cost was $45.
Pitman Arm specs
I have read up on several steering box options for swaps. And I looked on RockAuto's website and they list a close ratio gear box that's supposed to be a direct bolt in. Here are the stats:
10:1 Fast Ratio
2.5 turns lock to lock
This is listed as a Lares 1105 part number. I called Lares and they were not able to get me the degree swing for the output shaft, I thought this was odd. Has anyone run this box yet? Does it lessen the turn radius?
When looking at the application listing on RockAuto's website it looks like this might be out of a B-body car. When I called Lares, they said they list it as a 77-79 GM car box.
I did some forum searches for this part, but so far haven't come up with anything.
Conclusion:
I got the box, it is installed, works great! It did have flare fittings in it, so my old hoses bolted up to it.
Turning radius does not seem to be decreased, but I didn't do an official measurement before and after.
I would recommend this upgrade if you have a 605 box. You will need an 800 series pitman arm though. I ended up getting one from Allstar performance (PN ALL56357), they had a dealer down the road from my work. Cost was $45.
Pitman Arm specs
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