About to pull the trigger on a new gear from one or the other vendor. Blue Top is cheaper but my question is does BT have ball bearings in theyre boxes? I know redhead does and i just drove a 12V at work with a redhead and it drove like a dream! Iv heard customer service at redhead isnt the best? Who has BT and who has RH? What are your thoughts?

6 hours ago, Stanley said:

About to pull the trigger on a new steering box, pump, hoses! From the comments, blue top is the way to go I assume. Already have the borgson shaft so hopefully I'll have some super tight steering! Also going to re seal vacuum pump while I'm there. Best place for vacuum pump stuff? I'll just Google blue top and go to there main page? 

 

Edit, I went to blue tops site and didn't see any option for 2nd gen steering gears??

He does have them. Sometimes he is out of stock which means you have to send yours in for him to rebuild. Need to do this myself this summer.

 

Though the Chevy box has my attetion too.

Edited April 23, 20195 yr by dripley

Is he on this site or is it better just to call him? Previously it has said out of stock when I checked last year, but now there's not even 2nd gens listed.

12 minutes ago, Stanley said:

Is he on this site or is it better just to call him? Previously it has said out of stock when I checked last year, but now there's not even 2nd gens listed.

I did not see one on there either. It did say in  the products section that them from the early 80's to 2008, but iI did not see them listed at all. 

@Blue-Top Steering have you stopped on the 2nd gens?

Edited April 24, 20195 yr by dripley

4 hours ago, dripley said:

Though the Chevy box has my attetion too.

You had good luck with 6.7 rockers I think you should be fine with Chevy parts on your truck 

1 minute ago, Dieselfuture said:

You had good luck with 6.7 rockers I think you should be fine with Chevy parts on your truck 

They cant hurt as long as they work.

7 minutes ago, dripley said:

They cant hurt as long as they work.

I agree, if it's better and stronger, I'll be going same route eventually. Wonder the price. Need to look that up...

@jag what chevy gear box did you use exactly?

Just now, Dieselfuture said:

I agree, if it's better and stronger, I'll be going same route eventually. Wonder the price. Need to look that up...

Rock auto had one 32 spline and one 33 spline, one was near $370, the other near $450, dont remeber which was which. Both were new also. I would need more info to dive in, but I need to do it this summer.

Box = 2005 Chevy Silverado HD 4x4 with the duramax. A good box is not cheap, keep in mind you get what you pay for.

If they require a core, it's good, no core, no good. The steering specialists will agree , or not? Make sure you get a DELPHI box. It will be embossed on it. You need the box with 3 blanks to adapt the 2nd gen pitman arm. They line up perfect when you get it right. Like I said, there is a little mod you have to do, once you have the parts you will see how easy it is.

A hacksaw blade is what I used to cut the spline, 3 corner file to finish. 

There is also an easy upgrade to do to your pump to lighten up the steering.

I should mention that I had the steering box brace, plus 3rd gen adjustable track bar. 

Emailed Blue top yesterday, they are not stocking 2nd gen stuff till maybe July...

 

How ever I can send mine in for R&R for 280$. 

I asked what the difference was R&R vs blue top and hes said its the same? Is it really all the same stuff? I figured that it was beefier etc than what we had, and better ratios etc... Can someone elaborate, Ive never dealt with steering boxes. Thanks 

He was very quick with replies, and courteous might I add.  

Edited April 30, 20195 yr by Stanley

You can get a better ratio one but have that core as I understand. And far as I know it is rebuilt to stock specs. The R&R on yours is the same he sells as Blue Top.

This my interpretation from visiting his site. 

I'd want the best I could get if I'm gonna spend the money, ya know. Why would the new one cost more, from my memory I believe they were quite a bit more than 280$. 

If its all the same, apples to apples, I'll just send mine in when I can. 

15 minutes ago, Stanley said:

I'd want the best I could get if I'm gonna spend the money, ya know. Why would the new one cost more, from my memory I believe they were quite a bit more than 280$. 

If its all the same, apples to apples, I'll just send mine in when I can. 

Thats why there is a core charge. He has to have the core to rebuild. New is going more because every thing is new. You are providing him some parts with said core.

They are all rebuilt boxes, whether he rebuilds yours and returns it to you or you may get my core, either way, same box. Go to a junk yard and get one out of a half ton truck and send it in for a rebuild, 3&1/4 turn box would be nice. This 4 turn i have is a good box but I think the quicker ratio box would drive better.

1 hour ago, Stanley said:

Is it really all the same stuff?

Last time I spoke with him he said he uses a bigger bearing and something else and adjusts it better then factory 

1500 gear boxes are the same? I have 1500 gear box I could use, I do want a quicker ratio though. Does he do that with the gear box I send in? 

 

@dripley core charge, I see now.. 

 

 

 

I would not want a quick ratio personally especially with bigger tires

As far as I understand, the 1500 boxes are identical, except with e quicker ratio. Mike has a quicker ratio box and likes it but also runs smaller tires. Ryan wants to send you the same ratio box that you send in, in order to keep his cores the same. I would call him and ask to make sure its the same box though.

Ok thanks guys, I might just stick with the original box on the truck now. I have 285's now and plan on going to 35's due to my 4.10 ratio to help out with mpgs... 

Quick ratio for 265s and smaller. It just like putting bigger tires on 3.55 gears. You should only do this on 4.10 axles.