Before I ship my frame off for paint, I know I need to replace my steering gearbox. Old one leaks and I've read plenty to know it's a good thing to replace.

So the question is: what is the best replacement?

Edited March 20Mar 20 by PilotHouse2500

Only good suggestion(s) you will hear is either red top or blue top. There is a couple threads/topics on here talking about them if memory serves me right. I narrowed down to get a blue top. Its a long story but they were the same company but the owners split up at some point. Their are some differences but minimal. Good luck.

I did find this one as well from Geno's....seems like mixed reviews?

https://www.genosgarage.com/product/ram-cummins-borgeson-steering-box-800112/steering-box

From Geno's Delphi Series 680 description:

The Heavy Duty replacement steering box is a 16:1 ratio. The benefit to you: effectively 3.5 turns from lock-to-lock compared to 4.5 turns.

I purchased and installed an new (not rebuilt) Delpi 680 series steering gearbox (part# BO800120) in 2015. It is a good steering box, but the ratio wasn't as advertised - the one I received was exactly 4 turns, stop to stop (my old one was 4 1/4 turns). The strange part was that the steering felt much quicker than the old box - not just a little quicker. I contacted Borgeson company and was eventually able to talk to an engineer. After explaining what I was experiencing, the engineer commented that it was strange as there is only one part number for all the second generation trucks that it was used on. She said that she wanted to look into it and would call be back. Here is what I wrote in my maintenance log:

New steering gearbox - 4 turns from lock to lock (expecting 3 1/2 turns). Contacted Borgeson - engineer representative Barbara said that there are two boxes made for this era of Dodge trucks. She said that one is a 14:1 ratio and the other is a variable ratio with the highest ratio in the center of steering. She said that both of the steering boxes are sold under the same part number and that the customer has no say in which steering box the customer receives.

I told the engineer that I have no issue with the steering gearbox that I received and thanked her for explaining the differences. So, I got the variable ratio one and I do like the steering gearbox.

So anyway, I don't think that you would be disappointed with that steering gearbox, but I just wanted to let you know that you may get something slightly different than advertised.

I have currently logged 186,000 miles on the Series 680 steering gearbox and I am still pleased with its performance.

• John

Edited March 23Mar 23 by Tractorman

If your using oversized tires use the standard box. Smaller tires like 31 inch and less you can use the quick ratio like I did. Oversized tires put too much stress on a quick ratio and failure of the box is more common.

Bluetop was my pick back in the day being he was making the parts for Redhead steering. Still have my bluetop but needs a bit snuggling up soon.

Ok thanks all, Bluetop it will be. Nice thing is that is the same as the original and I don't have to worry about fitment.

Still got my blue top steering box and had to adjust it once so far to take up gear slack, but still working awesome. If you are not doing oversized tires, you can opt for the quick ratio box.