I have a 81 chevy that I'm helping a buddy on and I've come to a problem in the steering box location, is there anyway to move it and/or something else we can use. I dont want to use a full hydro setup. The reason the stock doesnt work is that we have put coilovers on it and the steering shaft goes through there location. the origional plan was to move the box forward and flip the pitman arm around but that will make it steer backwards. any help/ideas, I'd be thankful

hmm. this is an interesting one. I'd like to see a pic.

Build a custom steering shaft with u-joints to miss the coils.

Build a custom steering shaft with u-joints to miss the coils.


Thats what I was thinking. with like flaming river or borgeson joints. But I'd like to see a pic to see what he's dealing with... and how he did the coil over.

to me it sounds like hes having problems with the draglink, seein as how he says about it turnin backwards...his solution would be to put crossover on it then his steering would be in front of the coils instead of running parellel with the frame. and if this is the case, the question arises, how do u know how to put coilovers on, but not crossover?

to me it sounds like hes having problems with the draglink, seein as how he says about it turnin backwards...his solution would be to put crossover on it then his steering would be in front of the coils instead of running parellel with the frame. and if this is the case, the question arises, how do u know how to put coilovers on, but not crossover?

x2 :laughing: :shaking: :laughing:

it has the x-over and hydro assist, that was all done b4 the coilover. I'll try and get some pics of what we are dealing with. the u-joint idea was the plan when we started but its to tight of a fit. the shock hoop mounts right in front of the input shaft of the steering box. what problems would i get by moving the box forward and bending the drag link? its the input shaft I'm having the problem with, not the drag link.

That was a problem Stephen at ORD ran into when he built his truck with the front coilovers. He ended up moving the steering box into the inside of the frame. I think he has pics on the site somewhere. It looks really crazy, but works.

ok, well then sorry for the early criticism. if your having a problem like that, u could try putting on a ford box possibly, that sits on the frame differently, or possibly a j-truck box, that also goes inside the frame rails, or like was stated, get creative with some PTO joints and things, also theres nothing stopoing u from moving that box forward. u might need to notch and plate a few spots to make it fit, but it should be doable....get your hands on one of those frame reinforcement plates and use it to build into your framerail a little further towards the bumper. u shouldnt need to flip the pitman if u go forwards, flipping it would only point your pitman towards the front of the truck, and that def wouldnt help ur situation.