first like to give a big thanks to woody at ih8mud.com and also eric stegall who posted about his steering conversion. did mine this weekend and for the first time had my hands on the box the number that was on the site said most 4 steer box matched this number and i ended up with a 3.25 box (it was free so no big deal)

question is this box a big difference then the 4 turn or is it like the auto vs manual tranny debate. my cruiser when complete will run dana 44 full width front and 12 bolt rear and sport 35" tires.

Ive driven mine for about 1.5 years with the 3.25 box and it seems fine. I have a short pitman arm and a very small steering wheel which seems to help

arndog

I posted in my wirte-up that the casting numbers are just that....casting numbers. They don't have anything to do with the turns ratio. I just find that driving a rig with a SWB and a 3.25 turn box is too twitchey for me on the freeway. If you don't go that fast it is not a big deal and the faster box is a little better off road since you don't have to turn the wheel as much. However, if you drive on curved roads and there is water and ice, watch out for how fast that steering box really is. I have a 3.25 turn box in one of my rigs and once the rear end starts to slide out, you better know just how little you need to turn to counter steer or you will start fish tailing like crazy or be doing 360s down the freeway. Not too fun going 70mph.

Just drive it and see how it is. I would not change it unless you don't like it.

If you ever plan on using a ram assist then I would go with the 3.25 box.

The ram slows down the speed at which you can turn the wheel so going with the 3.25 turn box instead of the 4.0 would help to counteract the reduction in turning speed.

I've used a 3.25 box for years on the freeway at 75mph in my fj40 and it was fine for me...just don't look over your shoulder cause you tend to change lanes:p

ONe other thing, a friend with a bronco has a 6 turn box:eek: All he does on the trail is crank that steering wheel this way and that...quite a workout even with PS.

I just finished putting a 3.25 turn box in my 69 cruiser. Spring over, 15/35 swampers, fairly short pitman arm and stock wheel (until I get to summit sometime this week)

I drove on the highway for the first time since the conversion, and dispite unbalanced 35's I pushed her up to 70. Honestly, I thought it was fine. A little twitchy, but you know what, I will take twitchy over the all out "wandering" of the manual steering that I had before. Talk about changing lanes?? haha I could hold the steering wheel in one place and watch is change lanes on it's own! :eek: So the 3.25 turn box is waaaay better. :D:D:D

eric
nice write up:D helped alot waiting for pics on my specail frame hacking tubular design:D will definetly wheel the 3.25(since it's what i have) and money is tight.