Blue Top Steering Rebuild???

[Yooper74]

I have been researching a steering box rebuild and ratio change. Blue top seems to be a pretty good deal based on what I have found.

Couple questions.

They have an option to change to a 15:1 vs the stock 20:1. are people happy with this ratio?

Has anyone used blue top? good / bad??

 

[Yooper74]

Follow up to my question. I am also considering Lee's. They offer an upgrade to the valve weight. This would be about $220 extra vs blue top even a bit more after I include shipping.

Is this worthwhile?

 

[markw]

Personal experience with Lees has been very good.

 

[Yeller]

I test drove the blue top that we had done yesterday finally. It drove really nice and they found issues with hard parts that we very difficult to see, but definitely issues, the sector shaft had 3 cracks in it, I felt they were very reasonable for the total cost.

 

[Yooper74]

Yeller - did you do the ratio change?

 

[377]

Blue Top seems to be a really good outfit to deal with. They did a 4x4x2 hydro ported box for me. Quick turnaround, great communication and very reasonable price. I’d definitely use them again.

 

[garberz]

Follow up to my question. I am also considering Lee's. They offer an upgrade to the valve weight. This would be about $220 extra vs blue top even a bit more after I include shipping.

Is this worthwhile?

I had Lee’s increase the steering feel (valve weight) to 35in.lbs. They also did the three bearing conversion during the rebuild. The valve weight increase makes a very big difference on the driving experience. At first it seemed a little much, but after a few daily drives it became very comfortable. The manners on the freeway are very much improved. It’s not twitchy anymore. I like it, I don’t miss the lighter valving at all.

Mark

 

[Yeller]

Yeller - did you do the ratio change?

No just a rebuild with a new sector shaft. It was actually for a 98 dodge diesel 4x4

 

[toddz69]

I had Lee’s increase the steering feel (valve weight) to 35in.lbs. They also did the three bearing conversion during the rebuild. The valve weight increase makes a very big difference on the driving experience. At first it seemed a little much, but after a few daily drives it became very comfortable. The manners on the freeway are very much improved. It’s not twitchy anymore. I like it, I don’t miss the lighter valving at all.

Mark

So they increased the steering effort somewhat?

Todd Z.

 

[garberz]

So they increased the steering effort somewhat?

Todd Z.

Yes, next time I see you, you’ll need to take it for a spin. I really like it, but I’m curious what others think.

Mark

 

[toddz69]

Yes, next time I see you, you’ll need to take it for a spin. I really like it, but I’m curious what others think.

Mark

Yeah, now you have me curious. I have an extra box I've been debating about having them rebuild.

Todd Z.

 

[Yooper74]

I'm very curious also. Is it worth an extra $250?

My driving will be mostly country roads 55MPH. nearest freeway to me is 3 hours away so no real high speed stuff. Would the decrease in 'twitchyness' be a big deal to me?