Hello Guy's I recently replaced the front end on my 07 5.9 Quad Cab with the 09 plus set up. I replaced everything except the steering Box and to be honest Ishoud have done that too! I definetly need one and without a doubt it will be one of the three that are now available. I have heard good things about the Redhead and the pricy new Mopar Box. I have also considered the Borgenson which appears to be right in the middle of the pack as far as price goes. Anyone use that box? I will consider any of the three.
Thanks

 

Un-sure of the other two...But I really like my Redhead steering box...Almost two years and still very tight...

 

I have heard good reports on the Redhead but correct me if I'm wrong but isn't the Redhead simply the very same steering box that comes on our trucks stock only it's been tweaked (Blueprinted & rebuilt)?
The new Dodge Box looks like a very nice piece and for over 650.00 it had better be! The box I like the looks of and priceing is the Borgenson but I need to be able to speak to someone with real experiance with it both on the install and ride after before going that route...
Anyone using a Borgenson steering Box?.

 

No one has upgraded here?

 

Just did the upgrade... But about choked when I saw the price of the dodge gear. I went with the lifetime gear from Oriellys for $130.
I have more time then money anymore. So if I gotta do it again, I'm OK with it.
It steers better than new.... For now.

 

I have a Redhead box.
I would run the larger Mopar box before the Borgeson, for ease of install.

 

I am reading good things about the bigger Mopar box with larger sector shaft and pitman arm. If I were to have to replace my steering box I'd go with it. The price is definitely a lot to choke down.

Also with that change, if you're running a steering box brace the sector shaft pin that fits the brace bearing must be replaced too (since the sector shaft is different).

 

What do you consider pricey for the mopar steering box kit and should you change the steering shaft at the same time.

 

I recommend getting under the truck (with the truck off, key in on position and steering unlocked) and have someone turn the steering wheel rapidly back and forth. Look around and listen while the wheel is turning. You may see and hear the movement in the output shaft( pitman arm) location and/or the input shaft of the steering box. As my daughter turned the wheel, I could hear and see the play in the steering box at both the input and output shaft locations. I was also able to move the pitman arm and the stering shaft by hand and could see the play in both the input and output shafts on the steering box. The steering shaft was in good shape and did not have any slop in it as I attempted to move it by hand. Check it for play prior to throwing money at it for a new steering shaft.

The steering box wear issue is a very common issue with third gens. The old steering box is very small and has been superseded with a larger steering box ((Mopar part# 68170214AA Power Steering Gearbox (Mopar upgrade)) which is a one for one replacement. I purchased the new box from AllMoparParts.com and was very pleased with the cost as well as the communication provided during the transaction. You should be able to find the box priced anywhere from 495.00 to 650.00. Some vendors charge a 75.00 core fee while others do not.

I do not have any experience with the steering shafts on our company CTD's as we have not had any failures. But I also have read that the Borgeson shafts do not fit properly and are not robust compared to the Mopar units.

 

Anybody have anything to add to this thread?
The steering box on my truck has started to leak AGAIN!!!!! Fed up with this nonsense. The latest box is also showing signs of wear because the steering wheel once again has some free play.

I have 4 options that I can see, so any advice on the best route or best bang for my buck will be appreciated.
- The Red Head box
- Borgenson 800121
- The larger and supposedly better new Mopar box.
- El cheapo Autozone or NAPA box once a year.

Bear in mind that my truck has large tires (315's) and is frequently driven on rough roads. Other variables in this equation is that as I live in Mexico and need to absorb the core charge plus add shipping ($100- 150) Not planning any trips north of the border at the moment, so cannot use the drop ship option.

I do have the BD steering stabilizer installed. Can I still use this with the new Dodge or Borgenson units?

Apparently the new Dodge and Borgenson boxes still have not done anything about the free play. Red Head claim that with their new and larger components that the free play issue is eliminated. Any comments on this?

 

As I have thrown in on threads like this in the past, redhead is the way to go. Price for the product you get is very fair, and Harvey really knows his stuff.

You can feel the difference in the gear movements by hand, without even hooking it up.

After several aftermarket and stock boxes on the 05 in a very short time frame, went with redhead, and never looked back. Very satisfied with the product.

 

After doing a lot of head scratching, hand wringing, checking around etc, I broke down and have ordered the RedHead unit. My credit card is whining now. I know that the new Mopar box appears to be better than the OE box, but did not like the idea of possible installation problems, especially down here. I do like the fact that the RedHead box does everything possible to eliminate all lash. The OE box always had some play and the O'Reilly's box I have now had play from new and has got worse.
So far, two OE boxes and two O'Reillys. Hope that the RedHead is the last one that I will ever install.

 

I'm in need of a box too. I checked the Redhead site... $356 plus a $250 core charge. Guess that isn't bad. I can swap the thing in an hour or so and have the other one on the way back to him pretty quickly. Guess that's what I'll do.

Rob

 

Now have the RedHead box installed. Only had it for 3 days so far, but do notice that is tighter than the old box. So far so good. Just hope that this is the last steering box that I ever install on this truck.

 

I did the Mopar box as I found it for about $500 on ebay. I bought it from a dodge dealer, who did give me the $75 core refund for my old box too. At that time (last spring), that was pretty close to the RedHead box price, and given my poor luck with aftermarket parts so far, I decided to just stay OEM.

It's been less than a year, so really can't comment on it's durability, but it's definitely a beefier part than was original.

One think I didn't do was replace my steering shaft, and even though my front-end is awesome now after re-doing 95% of it, I should have done the intermediate shaft (and will do it shortly), and I'd like to add the PSC brace just for piece of mind.