Steering box - Competition Diesel.Com

Burningtire · 07-26-2017, 03:09 PM

Ok im so looking to upgrade my stock steering box on my 06 2500. Im looking to go to something better than a stock reman. There's been alot of threads out there but some seem older so looking for newer opinions and what not.

Seems my choices are
Redhead
Bluetop
Borgeson
Stock New big box.

Which one would you go with and why? Also redhead has the older box and the newer one. Also if the bigger box is the best do they sell bigger piece to go through the steering box stabilizer?

Whole front end is new minus the swaybar links and tracbar.

BRE · 07-26-2017, 05:44 PM

If you go with the new big box your brace has to be changed or modified. It moves the shaft closer to the frame rail.

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95cummins5.9 · 07-26-2017, 07:34 PM

Like my 2g red head box!

spooled05 · 07-26-2017, 07:55 PM

Had red head in my 05 and 97 , both were pos ! I put the new big box on my 05 and it has been great ! I modified the current box brace to work with it , not to hard to do .

Burningtire · 07-26-2017, 08:22 PM

I used to always hear redhead is the way to go but the more I've read it seems they're not that great.

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Red Sleeper · 07-26-2017, 10:33 PM

I tried Borgeson based on positive internet rumbles and being Geno's Garage carried them. I tried their reman box on an 04 and it wouldn't work. They were not even a dodge box but some other brand. (Maybe deplhi) Holes lined up for the most part after reaming, but the box wouldn't sit flat on the frame like the OEM box, and the box wouldn't turn the wheels from full lock to lock. Customer service was a joke as well. No help other than we could send it back for them to test it. I wanted a different box, but didn't receive one. Same problematic box was returned to me and the fault was placed on the truck.
Sense my run in with them about this, Borgeson now offers a Dodge style box for direct replacement.

I bought a Red Head Dodge replacement box instead, installed and no issues at all. Still have the same power steering pump from when installing the Borgeson box, so my pump was not bad. Sense then I've bought another red head box for my 05 and no issues. Both trucks have 08+ steering linkage, 4wd, and stock-ish size tires. Red Head has earned my business.

Edit: Neither truck has a box brace. After helping a friend install one on a 3rd gen, his sector shaft seal always leaked. Scared me away from them all together.

chevota84 · 07-26-2017, 10:53 PM

I put the borgeson "quick ratio" on my 2nd gen, no issues but I hate how it drives. Pretty sure it's a chevy box btw

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01silver bullet · 07-27-2017, 03:57 AM

I've had a lot of customers happy with red head!

Burningtire · 07-27-2017, 06:29 AM

Thanks for the input guys. So seems no matter what company you go with it's hit or miss. If it's gonna be hit or miss I'd rather have good customer service. Anyone have a bluetop or know someone with one?

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Red Sleeper · 07-27-2017, 12:05 PM

I have not heard of or am familiar with this brand.

What little interaction I had with Red Head customer service, they were great. Even while I was still battling the Borgeson box. They guaranteed me theirs would bolt up and work with zero issues. That it did.

We will be ordering a box from them for our 86 K20 farm truck.

sootie · 07-27-2017, 01:11 PM

Red Head has gone down hil;l recently. i had no issues with the one i had from them years ago though.

It seems that Blue Top is gaining popularity and is actually owned by an ex Redhead partner (likely the red head quality went down when he left...)

okie18 · 07-27-2017, 07:57 PM

Wasn't it redhead that Lavon had he11 with the first dpc where he lost power steering?

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diesel_importer · 07-27-2017, 09:19 PM

The guy with Blue Top used to work for Redhead, yes. I've had good luck with both. Last 2 have been blue top and felt great

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Burningtire · 07-27-2017, 11:14 PM

I think I'm gonna give blue top a try and see how it goes. Everything is brand new except for the tracbar (which is tight), and sway bar end links (good also). Truck pulls to left so it needs a alignment but gotta order new cam adjusting bolts because mine are frozen.

Hopefully between the box and getting it aligned it'll drive straight with no play.

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Red Sleeper · 07-27-2017, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by okie18

Wasn't it redhead that Lavon had he11 with the first dpc where he lost power steering?

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Yes. Think he lost a pump also.

RD TRCTR · 07-28-2017, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BRE

If you go with the new big box your brace has to be changed or modified. It moves the shaft closer to the frame rail.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

I am looking to upgrade steering boxes over the upcoming Winter, can you provide any more detail (or pics) about the modification of the brace?

wildbill144 · 07-29-2017, 01:47 AM

Have you or anyone else checked out PCS'S new dodge box . I think Danny at dodge off road had a lot of good things to say about em. From what I've heard there the box to beat now.

SixOhh · 07-29-2017, 10:21 AM

im glad this thread came up, mine is starting to show a little play after 250k.

rough pricing?

07-26-2017, 03:09 PM	#1
Burningtire Name: Burningtire Title: Too Much Time Status: Not Here Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Rhode Island Member`s Gallery Posts: 598	Steering box Ok im so looking to upgrade my stock steering box on my 06 2500. Im looking to go to something better than a stock reman. There's been alot of threads out there but some seem older so looking for newer opinions and what not. Seems my choices are Redhead Bluetop Borgeson Stock New big box. Which one would you go with and why? Also redhead has the older box and the newer one. Also if the bigger box is the best do they sell bigger piece to go through the steering box stabilizer? Whole front end is new minus the swaybar links and tracbar. __________________ Gots a two point five pullin truck!

07-26-2017, 07:55 PM	#4
spooled05 Name: spooled05 Title: Too Much Time Status: Not Here Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Weatherford ,Tx Member`s Gallery Posts: 832	Had red head in my 05 and 97 , both were pos ! I put the new big box on my 05 and it has been great ! I modified the current box brace to work with it , not to hard to do . __________________ 05 q/c 4x4 dually,twins,dual fuelers HP tuners,Flux inj., Mitusa gusher,full billet DTT!

07-26-2017, 08:22 PM	#5
Burningtire Name: Burningtire Title: Too Much Time Status: Not Here Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Rhode Island Member`s Gallery Posts: 598	I used to always hear redhead is the way to go but the more I've read it seems they're not that great. Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk __________________ Gots a two point five pullin truck!

07-26-2017, 10:33 PM	#6
Red Sleeper Name: Red Sleeper Title: Too Much Time Status: Not Here Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Lone Star State Member`s Gallery Posts: 4,597	Steering box I tried Borgeson based on positive internet rumbles and being Geno's Garage carried them. I tried their reman box on an 04 and it wouldn't work. They were not even a dodge box but some other brand. (Maybe deplhi) Holes lined up for the most part after reaming, but the box wouldn't sit flat on the frame like the OEM box, and the box wouldn't turn the wheels from full lock to lock. Customer service was a joke as well. No help other than we could send it back for them to test it. I wanted a different box, but didn't receive one. Same problematic box was returned to me and the fault was placed on the truck. Sense my run in with them about this, Borgeson now offers a Dodge style box for direct replacement. I bought a Red Head Dodge replacement box instead, installed and no issues at all. Still have the same power steering pump from when installing the Borgeson box, so my pump was not bad. Sense then I've bought another red head box for my 05 and no issues. Both trucks have 08+ steering linkage, 4wd, and stock-ish size tires. Red Head has earned my business. Edit: Neither truck has a box brace. After helping a friend install one on a 3rd gen, his sector shaft seal always leaked. Scared me away from them all together. __________________ Nick J '14 Silverado LTZ 5.3 4wd '05 Cummins QCSB 4wd 48re '91 Cummins w350 5spd Last edited by Red Sleeper; 07-26-2017 at 10:36 PM.

07-26-2017, 10:53 PM	#7
chevota84 Name: chevota84 Title: Too Much Time Status: Not Here Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Prineville, OR Member`s Gallery Posts: 4,926	I put the borgeson "quick ratio" on my 2nd gen, no issues but I hate how it drives. Pretty sure it's a chevy box btw Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk __________________ 99 Dodge 2500 with stuff

07-26-2017, 07:34 PM	#3
95cummins5.9 Name: 95cummins5.9 Title: Old man *** gossiper Status: Not Here Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: U.S.A Member`s Gallery Posts:** 4,720	Like my 2g red head box!

07-27-2017, 03:57 AM	#8
01silver bullet Name: 01silver bullet Title: Washed up Status: Not Here Join Date: Aug 2009 Member`s Gallery Posts: 853	I've had a lot of customers happy with red head! __________________ Siskiyou Diesel Performance

07-27-2017, 06:29 AM	#9
Burningtire Name: Burningtire Title: Too Much Time Status: Not Here Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Rhode Island Member`s Gallery Posts: 598	Thanks for the input guys. So seems no matter what company you go with it's hit or miss. If it's gonna be hit or miss I'd rather have good customer service. Anyone have a bluetop or know someone with one? Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk __________________ Gots a two point five pullin truck!

07-27-2017, 12:05 PM	#10
Red Sleeper Name: Red Sleeper Title: Too Much Time Status: Not Here Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Lone Star State Member`s Gallery Posts: 4,597	I have not heard of or am familiar with this brand. What little interaction I had with Red Head customer service, they were great. Even while I was still battling the Borgeson box. They guaranteed me theirs would bolt up and work with zero issues. That it did. We will be ordering a box from them for our 86 K20 farm truck. __________________ Nick J '14 Silverado LTZ 5.3 4wd '05 Cummins QCSB 4wd 48re '91 Cummins w350 5spd

07-27-2017, 01:11 PM	#11
sootie Name: sootie Title: .....like a BAWSS Status: Not Here Join Date: Jan 2013 Member`s Gallery Posts: 866	Red Head has gone down hil;l recently. i had no issues with the one i had from them years ago though. It seems that Blue Top is gaining popularity and is actually owned by an ex Redhead partner (likely the red head quality went down when he left...)

07-27-2017, 07:57 PM	#12
okie18 Name: okie18 Title: Too Much Time Status: Not Here Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Leon, OK Member`s Gallery Posts: 996	Wasn't it redhead that Lavon had he11 with the first dpc where he lost power steering? Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk __________________ 2014 2500 Longhorn HPP tuned 04 2500 RCLB 4x4 Smarty UDC, AD 150, Fletcher Cam & Springs, Steed Speed, Thuren, Exergy 60%, Firepunk Comp 3, Anarchy Dual Cp3's, 467 fmw, 861/1427 930 on spray

07-27-2017, 09:19 PM	#13
diesel_importer Name: diesel_importer Title: Too Much Time Status: Not Here Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Fairfield,TX Member`s Gallery Posts: 4,501	The guy with Blue Top used to work for Redhead, yes. I've had good luck with both. Last 2 have been blue top and felt great Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ 01 QCSB 2WD AUTO: Redline/Smarty, Monster VP, 6x.013, S467 FMW, Goerend Trans, Caltracs. Fuel only - 11.85 @ 114, 50 Shot - 11.58 @ 116 w/ 1.69 60'

07-27-2017, 11:14 PM	#14
Burningtire Name: Burningtire Title: Too Much Time Status: Not Here Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Rhode Island Member`s Gallery Posts: 598	I think I'm gonna give blue top a try and see how it goes. Everything is brand new except for the tracbar (which is tight), and sway bar end links (good also). Truck pulls to left so it needs a alignment but gotta order new cam adjusting bolts because mine are frozen. Hopefully between the box and getting it aligned it'll drive straight with no play. Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk __________________ Gots a two point five pullin truck!

07-29-2017, 01:47 AM	#17
wildbill144 Name: wildbill144 Title: Green Behind the Ears Status: Not Here Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Lake's region NH Member`s Gallery Posts: 91	Have you or anyone else checked out PCS'S new dodge box . I think Danny at dodge off road had a lot of good things to say about em. From what I've heard there the box to beat now. __________________ 98 12v tow pig plow truck. 97cclb 7"lift,DOR full kit, long arm's etc.37 toyo MT,ARB's F/R,4.56 35 spl axels. Engine trans being built

07-29-2017, 10:21 AM	#18
SixOhh Name: SixOhh Title: EPA unfriendly Status: Not Here Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Magnolia, TX Member`s Gallery Posts: 1,108	im glad this thread came up, mine is starting to show a little play after 250k. rough pricing? __________________ 07' Silver 2500 5.9 4x4 LWB Goerend 48re-csp5/EFI- T&C Mild Cp3-F1 Apex 7.5 -S369sxe Amsoil Coolant Bypass -Airdog-D&J- Hamilton 188/220 -AFE-ARP Opti-Lube H-Town Off-Road