Went to install my new ZQ8 box yesterday only to find I allready have one?

crashing_sux

crashing_sux

Blow Me?
I was about to install a ZQ8 steering box yesterday and decided to check the number of turns the box needed to go through it's range of motion (this is without the tie rods connected so steering stops weren't an issue. I found it took three turns, then tried it on the box in my truck and found it also took three turns. That had me confused, so I looked at the part number of the new box and saw the big Z on it, then looked in my truck and saw my box also has the Z on it.

Sounds like I allready have the fast ratio box in my truck, anything else I should do to confirm before I just sell the box I just bought? It surprised me at first, as the previous owner thought the stock box was in there but considering I am the fourth owner it must have been changed by one of the first two.

As a side note, when I layed my hands on Renz' shaft yesterday, sat it side by side against my shaft I have to say I was a little disappionted. Anyone else feel Renz' shaft is about an inch shorter than they'd like?
 
dgoodhue

dgoodhue

BuSTeD 4.3
Re: Went to install my new ZQ8 box yesterday only to find I allready have one?

Renz's shaft slides to length, he ship it colapsed. Lube it up to get the proper length.
 
G

GM TURBO

Sell Out
Re: Went to install my new ZQ8 box yesterday only to find I allready have one?

What Renz's shaft lacks in size is made up for in performance. I am very pleased with Renz's shaft.

Also, Dave brought up a good point - with proper lube and some manipulation you'll find Renz's shaft will fit the spot just right.
 
Maxtor

Maxtor

New member
Re: Went to install my new ZQ8 box yesterday only to find I allready have one?

That isn't a "z" you saw on the gear, it is an "s". It stands for "Saginaw" as in Saginaw Steering Gear. All of the gears that fit our truck are integral gears made in plant #2 in Saginaw, Michigan. They use the same bigfoot 525 housing, with the same valve. The only difference is the pitch of the gears on the rack piston.

I was an engineer for General Motors at the steering gear plant for three years in case you are wondering how the hell someone would know this random information.
 
M

MikeRenz

not stock
Re: Went to install my new ZQ8 box yesterday only to find I allready have one?

when will you guys learn its not how big your shaft appears to be....its how you use it.

Like the two Daves said....it'll expand to install at proper length. The shaft needs to be collapsed to be able to install it, so i ship them that way (plus they fit in smaller boxes that way).

Just install the steering box end of the shaft, put your bolt in.....and then use a hammer to tap out/expand the shaft out onto the firewall end.
 
blk00z28

blk00z28

Forced to by choice
Re: Went to install my new ZQ8 box yesterday only to find I allready have one?

crashing_sux said:
When I layed my hands on Renz' shaft yesterday, sat it side by side against my shaft I have to say I was a little disappionted.
Click to expand...

Man am I one sick person to pull this out and laugh at it. :rotf:
 
crashing_sux

crashing_sux

Blow Me?
Re: Went to install my new ZQ8 box yesterday only to find I allready have one?

Oh I had no problem getting it to fit, just wondered if anyone else here had to work Renz shaft quite a bit to get it as long as they'd like :D

So, nobody knows what's up with my steering box then? As it is now I can't tell if the box I bought wasn't really a ZQ8 box, or if I allready had one installed in my truck by a previous owner. Both of them look alike to me, and seem to have three turns lock to lock. What is stock lock to lock on a Syclone, of just the box, without the steering stops getting in the way?
 
M

MikeRenz

not stock
Re: Went to install my new ZQ8 box yesterday only to find I allready have one?

how many turns does it take to get from full left lock to full right lock, or steering stops, whichever comes first on your truck?
 
M

MikeRenz

not stock
Re: Went to install my new ZQ8 box yesterday only to find I allready have one?

i forget what stock is, but my zq8 is 2.5 turns....some peoples "zq8" boxes are 3.5 turns
 
crashing_sux

crashing_sux

Blow Me?
Re: Went to install my new ZQ8 box yesterday only to find I allready have one?

Is that just the box, with it out of your truck? If so, any recommendations on how I get one of those boxes. I allready purchased a "ZQ8" box from a member on this board, but just like the one in my truck, it's 3 turns lock to lock, on the bench. Maybe 3.25, so I could see how some folks are calling it 3.5. Thought I was paying for the 2.5 box, that's crappy.
 
dgoodhue

dgoodhue

BuSTeD 4.3
Re: Went to install my new ZQ8 box yesterday only to find I allready have one?

Mine is a tad over three out of the truck and it just under two install in my Sy (I have Bear brakes and JS Coilovers which probably affect the turning radius a little)
 
M

MikeRenz

not stock
Re: Went to install my new ZQ8 box yesterday only to find I allready have one?

seems like a lot of the recent zq8 boxes being bought are the 3.5 turn boxes. dunno whats up with that.

My box in my truck is just over 2 turns from full left to full right...steering stop to steering stop. I don't remember exactly what it was when not installed, but i believe 2.5 turns. Next time i jack up my front end, i'll double check or take a video or something
 
9

93ty475

Donating Member
Re: Went to install my new ZQ8 box yesterday only to find I allready have one?

aren't these boxes "variable ratio"? if so, wouldn't the amount of turns vary?
 
C

Captain Morgan

Moderated User
Re: Went to install my new ZQ8 box yesterday only to find I allready have one?

93ty475 said:
aren't these boxes "variable ratio"? if so ,wouldn't the amount of turns vary?
Click to expand...
Stock Typhoon boxes were, Syclones werent, I have no idea about the ZQ8 boxes, I went with a "YA" alpha code box out of a G-Body.
 
M

MikeRenz

not stock
Re: Went to install my new ZQ8 box yesterday only to find I allready have one?

morgan,
i thought i it was the sy's w/ the variable, not the ty's. hmm... anyway to verify this? think the manuals would confirm which?
 
9

93ty475

Donating Member
Re: Went to install my new ZQ8 box yesterday only to find I allready have one?

ok so then

the typhoon is 17.5:1
the syclone is 16/13:1
the sonoma GT is 15/13:1

this article says the ratio of the 1998 zq8 truck has a 15/13:1 ratio just like the SGT....
 
C

Captain Morgan

Moderated User
Re: Went to install my new ZQ8 box yesterday only to find I allready have one?

I know mines a 12.7:1, GM# 7839897 but Im pretty sure its discontinued now like everything else.
 
0966Sy

0966Sy

Code what?
Re: Went to install my new ZQ8 box yesterday only to find I allready have one?

dgoodhue said:
Mine is a tad over three out of the truck and it just under two install in my Sy (I have Bear brakes and JS Coilovers which probably affect the turning radius a little)
Click to expand...

Dave, what is the part number on your box? is it a 15/13:1 ratio box? How is your turning radius with the JS coilovers?
 
dgoodhue

dgoodhue

BuSTeD 4.3
Re: Went to install my new ZQ8 box yesterday only to find I allready have one?

I don't know the part number, but it's a ZQ8.
 
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