After posting above, I clicked on this link to see where it went. Be advised, this guy is obviously a garage hack who's guidance is "questionable" at best and he definitely suffers from delusions of adequacy...
BTW this is a great time to do an EPAS install whist everything is out - I'm just say'n but keep the above statement in mind when considering this advice...
I prefer a 16:1 box (not to mention that my current box seem to need a rebuild), but a long-shaft, 16:1 box is, what, $550+? If a '70 will bolt up and all that I will have to do is adapt the column, that seems like a no-brainer.
Is there a reason not to do it? BTW, I have no concern about originality. That said, you'll never see me adding a spoiler or stripes, etc. I prefer functional, discreet mods.
I dont remember if its the same box as the 68 but if it is, you need a rare 67 pitman arm for a 1 1/8 shaft thats got the end thats the same as 66. I put a FR later box in my 66. Had to find the right pitman. You can graft a later model steering column pretty easy and use your stock turn signals and 66 wheel.
With the quicker box, your steering ratio will be 22:1. With the slower box, it is 27:1. Any PS car has the quicker box. Most manual cars got the 27 : 1 steering ratio.
I am just about to do this myself.
Just bought a 16.1 from a 66 that I put a rebuild kit through.
In the next couple of days I am removing my standard 19.1 and rebuilding that too.
Be good to see the difference between the two.
Yes, it's called the handling package. That is when you have the quicker 22:1 steering and with a manual steering setup. There is the GT spring/shock package as well with it. Basically its the PS box, but the preload tweeked a bit.
The difference, going from 27 :1 to 22:1 is easily calculated. 22/27 = 81%. You will only have to move the steering wheel 81% as far as you did before. Basically 4/5ths of the movement.
I found someone who knew i was putting a late model box in an early car: he had a 1 1/8" pitman arm from a 67 that was originally fit a steering system same as a 66. As someone said 67 was a change over yeat. He said it was a rare piece and charged me accordingly. Works great.
I don't know from cheap boxes - if the later 1 1/8" box spans from 67 - 70 your good, especially if its from a ps car. If 70 was different, I don't know.
I can make you a deal on an extremely low mi practically new flaming river box 16:1 with the right pitman arm if you are interested pm me. I am going a different path. I also have an extra collapsable steering colum... i would not weld the spear back in but I'm funny about sharp objects anchored solid to my bumper and pointed at my heart whilst pushing the envelope.
Im having Dan "Chokostang" build me that same type of box, Im redoing a customers 66 mustang, all the steering was mix and match, converted to manual, and found out the car hast hte 67 later type box with the 1 1/8" sector shaft, and diferent pitman arm...
Are you implying that I can swap in the '68-'70 center link and use the 1 1/8" pitman arm and the later idler arm? I would be willing to do that if the center to center distances and tie rod hole diameters are the same.
Originally my car came out with a manual 19.1 and was getting a lot of slop.
Yesterday I installed a 16.1 box that I rebuilt in my 64 and wow what a difference, nearly 2 full turns of the wheel and I am at lock.
The car now feels alive and very responsive, almost ready for the track. Totally transformed the car.
Turning the wheel at a crawling speed is OK but not really noticeable, just so happy that the wheel feels tight and like it should.
Bit of a pain removing the old box as I had to remove the Z bar, rocker cover and remove the bolts and lower the exhaust manifold, but that really only took 20 mins.
Forget about using parts from a newer model unless you want to fit a rag joint (then I would go to a late 67).
As mentioned up above, it's a lot of work and money really for no great gain.
Yeah, Tony, when I installed the 16:1 in my sloppy '66, it was like night and day. Along with the 1" sway bar, it became a very fun car to drive. Never did the UCA relocation, however. I will on this car.
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