Manual Steering box swap

[694spdRT]

I am considering a manual steering box for my '68 so I am on the junkyard hunt. If I can't find a B body unit will the 72 and older A body be the best and can I use my existing pitman arm? I will just get a steering column adapter out of a van or cough up for a Firm feel. Anything else to consider during the swap?

Thanks

[Rolling_Thunder]

i am pretty sure that all the manual boxes were the same until 73 when they changed the pitman arm shaft diameter.

I scored a nice and tight manual steering box off craigslist for $20.00 - they are out there.

I am not familiar with the van steering column adapter - please explain ?

[694spdRT]

I was looking in the Moparts tech archives. The older vans had the same column for manual and power setups. There is a factory adaptor on the manual vans that can be used but I don't know for sure if it works on the 72 and earlier boxes.

[Ryan]

Sorry about the thread jack but how do you guys like the manual boxes compared to the power assist? I have been thinking about switching for a long time now, but never had the opportunity to try a manual steering car.

[694spdRT]

My dad has a '68 Super Bee and a '66 Coronet that are manual. Unless you are parallel parking or in some other situation that requires a lot of wheel turning while stopped I don't notice it. There is more positive road feel with the manual IMO.

I drove 800 miles through Chicago, Milwaukee, and Green Bay during the Hot Rod Power Tour in the Bee and never even noticed it. That was with a 4 speed too.

[Charger-Bodie]

My dad has a '68 Super Bee and a '66 Coronet that are manual. Unless you are parallel parking or in some other situation that requires a lot of wheel turning while stopped I don't notice it. There is more positive road feel with the manual IMO.

I drove 800 miles through Chicago, Milwaukee, and Green Bay during the Hot Rod Power Tour in the Bee and never even noticed it. That was with a 4 speed too.

Much better road feel with manual! It doesnt leak or throw belts either.

[craigandlynda]

i had a 63 belvedere, 66 barracuda, and 69 1/2 superbee w manual steering..also converted a few 71-74 chargers over to manual...i preferred it because 1) no power drain 2) no messy hoses or pumps 3) great road feel 4) easier header installations 5) nice, clean neat and simple engine room 6) less weight up front...unless you need it for parallel parking or the vehicle is also being driven by a member of the weaker sex, it is a great choice...i do have a few "beware" things to mention... w a manual steering car, any major pothole or bump can jolt the wheer out of your hands..also, you don't want to switch to a teensy steering wheel, the change will make handling dificult..also may limit future resale value and field of potential buyers...

[greenpigs]

So what all is needed and how much does it cost using rebuilt pieces?