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-   -   red head vs napa steering box (https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/forums/2nd-gen-dodge-ram-no-drivetrain-90/red-head-vs-napa-steering-box-308417/)

greasy 12-04-2012 02:05 PM

red head vs napa steering box
 
red head = $296

NAPA = $154


Is the red head worth almost twice the cost?

greasy 12-04-2012 02:36 PM

Also ordered this steering stabilizer bar from http://www.dodgeramsteeringstabilizer.com/ as I've got pretty big tires and do a lot of offroad, plus I got a heavy camper



http://dodgeramsteeringstabilizer.co...0060_thumb.jpg

SIXSLUG 12-04-2012 02:45 PM

Redhead boxes are supposed to b e good.

What kind of warranty on the NAPA?

The DSS will help tighten things up, but I didn't find mine to be a "wonder" fix like some have stated, just beefs up the frame and box area...good part.

greasy 12-04-2012 02:57 PM


Originally Posted by SIXSLUG (Post 3150547)
Redhead boxes are supposed to b e good.

What kind of warranty on the NAPA?

The DSS will help tighten things up, but I didn't find mine to be a "wonder" fix like some have stated, just beefs up the frame and box area...good part.

Ya, I wasn't expecting a miracle - but with the offroad driving and winter driving in Canada with a pair of sleds on the back I'd like it stable as possible

greasy 12-04-2012 02:59 PM

Guess I'll go with NAPA

the stabilizer bar oughta help the napa gear box out too

SIXSLUG 12-04-2012 03:06 PM

Oh, yeah, a new box and brace are gonna do you good.

Some guys throw a DSS at a loose front end say it solved all their front end problems, but if other stuff is worn out I can't see how it could.

The box is the only part original to my truck regarding the steering components, when I replace it I will see if their is any improvement over everything else. My box was a little loose in endplay and the dss helped it a lot.

greasy 12-04-2012 03:10 PM


Originally Posted by SIXSLUG (Post 3150562)
Oh, yeah, a new box and brace are gonna do you good.

Some guys throw a DSS at a loose front end say it solved all their front end problems, but if other stuff is worn out I can't see how it could.

The box is the only part original to my truck regarding the steering components, when I replace it I will see if their is any improvement over everything else. My box was a little loose in endplay and the dss helped it a lot.

no, my box is pretty shot. I've tighted it up a few times trying to squeeze a little more

also my pump is beyond shot, spewing oil and groaning

ya, it's past time [duhhh]

Diesel Dave2 12-04-2012 03:14 PM

Please don't waste you time on a NAPA box...Trust me....My truck is a highway truck and never sees any off road driving...I went through 3 NAPA boxes...in 5 years

Then I got the Redhead box...OMG...Side by side, and comparing the boxes...The Redhead is hands down...No play in that box...

I could tell the difference in driving with the Redhead box...Very nice thight steering..100 times better than a new NAPA box...

Over a year and the redhead box is still working great...[roll]

SIXSLUG 12-04-2012 03:52 PM

^^^^there's a front row seat opinion.

I have heard Redhead boxes are top shelf but hard to find.

Doj Dewd 12-04-2012 03:55 PM


Originally Posted by greasy (Post 3150563)
no, my box is pretty shot. I've tighted it up a few times trying to squeeze a little more

also my pump is beyond shot, spewing oil and groaning

ya, it's past time [duhhh]

might not be your box. try flushing or replacing the fluid first. i had the same problem, replaced with synthetic PS fluid and not a problem for a few years. although it is synthetic, i would say i am well overdue for another flush/top-up . . . but needless to say it has been great so far, without issue through some pretty cold winters . . .

Diesel Dave2 12-04-2012 04:07 PM


Originally Posted by SIXSLUG (Post 3150574)
^^^^there's a front row seat opinion.

I have heard Redhead boxes are top shelf but hard to find.

Hmmm....I know when I talked to them a while back...They where starting to buy NAPA boxes to rebuild at their shop...I guess a few people must of keep their cores...and they where running out of cores..

BarryG 12-04-2012 04:33 PM

While I have not used a NAPA box I did/am using a redhead. Couldnt be happier with it so far. I did use a napa pump though again so far so good with that as well. There was a huge difference between the stocker and the redhead now the stocker had 280k on it so I would have been quite suprised if I hadnt seen some noticable improvement.

06RAM2500 12-04-2012 07:02 PM

Red head without hesitation.

pind 12-05-2012 01:22 AM

Redhead. Night and day difference compared to the NAPA boxes.

For the time and money I have spent on steering gears, Harvey knows his stuff, and definitely builds the superior product.

gorms 12-05-2012 02:06 AM

I'm on my second reman box, they both ended up in the same shape as the O.E. one after a year or two. One was an auto zone (actually that one started leaking internally after 2 years) and the next/current is a Napa. Napa was tight at first, but after a month felt just like the old box, too much slop on the input shaft. This is with a good track bar, steering stabilizer, ball joints, alignment, you name it. Doesn't really wander much unless the road dips, but the correction in the wheel needed is aggrevating. Next will be a redhead, which is supposed to be a different box all together, which I think is the real fix. :D


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