The Dodge Challenger Message Board

Hi mates
On the MMA board a guy got a manual steering box and adaptor for sale. My power steering is awful, feels dead and offers no feedback and it leaks, so am considering buying this. I know a lot of you have manual boxes and I wanna know how it feels compared to a power box

I have a 20:1 Manual box with a Fast Ratio Firm Feel Pitman Arm. From a dead stop trying to turn the wheel is a bitch! Parking is also a bitch! On a long winding road it's a Joy! I dont know if I would enjoy it as a daily driver though, working out with weights would be a good thing!

I loved mine. It was 20:1 ratio too and with the fat 245 rubber up front it was indeed very heavy to park. But once moving it was great on the winding roads. Very positive.

Did pull a muscle in my shoulder when I got out of shape showing off once though.

Having driven Drew's Challenger with it's fast ratio power steering I kind of started to think i might stick with a power box if i got another mopar. But I am undecided.

I used to have one on my white Challenger (it was thre when I got it). It was nice on the road, required quite a bit of muscle for parking operations, and was totally useless on a road course (it took too long to turn the wheel in sharp corners - I don't remember the ratio, though). I switched to power for that reason.

I didnt see this post .but for me I have driven both and I prefer the close ratio cop power box,alot of people like the non power too,

and there is a difference if you can get the close ratio box in a non power that would help for sure

,but parking at slow speed will always be harder

drewcrane wrote:but parking at slow speed will always be harder

Actually, it's parking at high speed that I've always found most difficult.

fbernard wrote:Actually, it's parking at high speed that I've always found most difficult.

As long as the handbrake works well its a lot easier.

I usually park at speeds above 50 or 60 mph................

drewcrane wrote:I usually park at speeds above 50 or 60 mph................

I wanna see proof of that please, could do with a larf

Adrian Worman wrote:

drewcrane wrote:I usually park at speeds above 50 or 60 mph................

I wanna see proof of that please, could do with a larf

HUMM............what can I make up for an excuse?????????um.........my wife wont let me..........oh wait yes she will.ummm.............I dont have enough points left on my license in case I get caught or wreck

There is a good one so no I wont be able to show you that.................

But you really need power steering

Well mates, had a nice result with the manual steering box I'd bought, turned out not only to be unused and in as new condition but also has a painted note on the housing saying quick ratio, may have scored there
Will I be able to use the existing steering arm from my power steering set up?
I've got the extension for the column, so at least that ends sorted.

You will have to check the output shaft diameter. They changed size along the way. If they are the same diameter you are good to go.

dave-r wrote:You will have to check the output shaft diameter. They changed size along the way. If they are the same diameter you are good to go.

Ta for that Daveman, I'll check it out

Firm Feel website says that the sector shaft dia changed on 73-74 cars, spot on as usual Daveman
Means I should be ok tho

Some of the brain connections still get there in the end. Sort of.