Aftermarket tighter ratio steering box?

[Fitz73Chrgr]

My '70's steering box has quite a bit of play in it and needs to be replaced. 

Has anyone installed an aftermarket steering box with a tighter ratio such as the one described in the article below?
http://www.hotrod.com/articles/steer-without-fear-upgrade-mopar-steering-box/

If so, do you like it?  Is it worth the extra coin?

[XH29N0G]

A lot on here have and there are some threads that discuss (I had to search using google with something like site:dodgecharger.com borgeson)  You can also look up firm feel.  The firm feel refreshed/modified boxes are less expensive.  

I just installed a borgeson box kit from bergman autocraft. The bergman kit did not need the column cut on my car. It was a straightforward install and is very nice to drive. I notice it is like driving any of the other cars I have.     

[garner7555]

I installed it on my car, but haven't test driven it yet.   I'm re-assembling the car so hopefully I can give a road review this spring.  It is way smaller and gives you some extra room down low.   

They offer both size pitman arm options, 1 1/8" and 1 1/4"

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/brg-800126/overview/

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/brg-800127/overview/

[HPP]

Do you want a tighter feel or a faster ratio, or is tighter ratio a combo of both? Mopars have over assisted power steering which makes them feel soft. Normal wear can make them feel very sloppy and require excessive steering input to change direction of the car.  Ratio can either be built into a box or achieved through the changing of different mechanical ratios in the steering system to make the wheels react faster or slower to steering wheel input.  So you have three things to decide; power assist level, tolerable slop, and ratio of reaction.  Not trying to pick nits, but help you understand what you will be asked when you go shopping. 

[Mike DC]

   
BTW, the way the steering does not naturally pull itself back towards center when you let go of the wheel and coast . . . that isn't the steering box at all.  It's the front suspension's caster alignment.

[Fitz73Chrgr]

Do you want a tighter feel or a faster ratio, or is tighter ratio a combo of both? Mopars have over assisted power steering which makes them feel soft. Normal wear can make them feel very sloppy and require excessive steering input to change direction of the car.  Ratio can either be built into a box or achieved through the changing of different mechanical ratios in the steering system to make the wheels react faster or slower to steering wheel input.  So you have three things to decide; power assist level, tolerable slop, and ratio of reaction.  Not trying to pick nits, but help you understand what you will be asked when you go shopping. 

That's helpful, thank you.  I'd like to reduce slop as much as possible as well as achieve a faster ratio.  In order to change the "soft" feel from the over-assisted steering, are there aftermarket power steering components aside from the steering box available?

[Mike DC]

  
When you get a stock PS box rebuilt they can optionally reduce the power-assist by notch or two.  Lots of guys do that.

There is the "fast ratio steering" setup that the factory did in the early 70s, using longer Pitman & Idler arms.  That brings the stock PS box's ratio from 15.7:1 down to about 12:1.  (That is fast enough.  The Borgeson PS box setup is 14:1 ratio.) 

[HPP]

As MikeDC said, you can reduce some of the assist provided by the box in its rebuild, or exchange. You also can shim a valve in the stock pump to reduce the pressure and increase the effort of the steering box. Some later model PS pumps also do this.  Also, additional positive caster in the alignment will steering increase effort as well as improving return to center and increasing high speed stability.

[Fitz73Chrgr]

I've learned a few new things from this thread, glad I asked the question. 

Thanks, all.

[c00nhunterjoe]

I would shim the ps pump first and see how you like it. The cost is nothing more then some fluid and a few minutes of your time. When i had ps, shimming it down to about 800 psi and giving it some caster made the feel comparable to my 07 rt.