Cross steering for 34 Ford

To see the difference between an OEM, American made box, whether it is a Vega or Borgeson made on the original GM machines and tooling or a Chinese knock-off look at Borgeson and Flaming River websites and compare the look of the castings where the sector shaft passes through. The Chinese manufactured Flaming River has a much heavier casting there, among other differences.
 
The rubber contact area of those tyres is probably twice as wide as a stock 17" 34 tyre. That will up the parking steering loads considerably. Could you not use a narrower tyre? A previous post mentioned a longer pitman arm, that would make the steering even heavier.

Mart.
 
Fordors said:
I wonder if you have a 16-1 ratio box? There are both 16 and 20 to 1 ratio Vega boxes, to check jack up your front end and turn the steering wheel lock to lock. Four turns are a 16-1 quick ratio box and will feel stiffer at low speeds. A longer pitman arm might help a 16-1 box if that is what you have, but then there could be clearance issues, or even bump-steer.
As far as a cross steer rack improving things the Uni-Steer rack is 18-1 so the improvenment from a 16-1 would be less compared to going to a 20-1 box.
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I worked on it a bit today. I extended the pittman arm to center with the tie rod. There is NO improvement whatsoever. I believe the problem is in the Vega box itself. I have another Vega box. Might try it. James
 
Mart said:
The rubber contact area of those tyres is probably twice as wide as a stock 17" 34 tyre. That will up the parking steering loads considerably. Could you not use a narrower tyre? A previous post mentioned a longer pitman arm, that would make the steering even heavier.

Mart.
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I advertised for some bias tires but no takers. I could use some 17 inchers.
 
sidevalve8ba said:
I have 165R15's on my '32 and it steers easy enough. That 215 tire you are using in my mind is a bit wide. Any particular reason you went with that width?
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Yes! The reason I went with the 215 radial tire is because I bought a set. I can try a smaller tire. Thanks!
 
Fordors said:
To see the difference between an OEM, American made box, whether it is a Vega or Borgeson made on the original GM machines and tooling or a Chinese knock-off look at Borgeson and Flaming River websites and compare the look of the castings where the sector shaft passes through. The Chinese manufactured Flaming River has a much heavier casting there, among other differences.
Click to expand...
I'll bet I have a Chink steering box. It appears to be the culprit!
 
On my 1934 ford pickup. I always run a 145 75 15 tire 30 # air with a vega box. It steers like a Cadillac, maybe to wide a tire, to much grip.
 
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