Quicker Steering Ratio

[Lee_in_KC]

Ever since I got my T on the road I've wanted quicker steering. I have a Flaming River Vega steering box now with an 8" Pittman arm and an 8" steering arm on the spindle. Would the simplest solution be to go to a longer Pittman arm? Can the Vega box be re-geared for a quicker ratio? I don't want to do any cutting or welding on my painted frame.

 

[GT63]

Ever since I got my T on the road I've wanted quicker steering. I have a Flaming River Vega steering box now with an 8" Pittman arm and an 8" steering arm on the spindle. Would the simplest solution be to go to a longer Pittman arm? Can the Vega box be re-geared for a quicker ratio? I don't want to do any cutting or welding on my painted frame.

From Rod and Custom Online
Vega-Style
The '71-77 sub-compact Vega used a then-new GM140 steering box. It stands to reason then that use of the 140 should be limited to cars weighing less than 2500lbs. The Vega box shares the same mounting pattern as the 122/525 manual, the 605 power, and most 800 power boxes. You have several options if you're looking for a Vega box. Borgeson offers a quality rebuilt Vega steering box, as well as a reversed version with the input shaft swapped end for end, allowing the box to be used in a side-steer application.

If you want new, Remy Racing & Performance Products offers an allnew stock Vega box with a ratio of 20.9:1. If you want something a little more showy or with a quicker ratio, you can call Flaming River and order a chrome-plated Vega-style box featuring a cast-steel housing that comes with a 20:1 ratio as standard, but is also available with a quicker 15:1.



http://www.rodandcustommagazine.com/techarticles/0803rc_steering_box_options/index.html

 

[RPM]

Redrill a hole in the slingshot arm, closer to the king pin. This will change the ratio quite a bit.

 

[Lee_in_KC]

Redrill a hole in the slingshot arm, closer to the king pin. This will change the ratio quite a bit.

Great idea Ron, but unfortunately, I'm using the arm in the upper left of this SuperBell catalog pic...

Grant, I'm going to call Flaming River and see if the can change out the guts of my box for the 15:1 guts.

 

[fordsbyjay]

Redrill a hole in the slingshot arm, closer to the king pin. This will change the ratio quite a bit.

I did this on my car and didn't find any real big change. IIRC I moved it in about 1 1/4".