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I need to replace/rebuild the stock power steering box in my 74 Duster. I would like to get a "police firm feel" box for it as I personally think the stock units are way too light. I looked at the Firm Feel stuff, but was hoping the factory unit was still available. Any suggestions? And sorry I'm not going to manual as I drive the car....

Does anyone have any experience with the Firm Feel units?

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Thanks guys for the replies!

autoxcuda, what are you using on your Cuda?

70sixpkRT - how would you compare it to the factory box?

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I'm using a Mopar Parts re-manufactured box I bought in 1993 for like $165. I think it's discontinued now. That was 50K miles ago.

I thought since it was re-manufactured it would have NEW interals, not just rebuilts ones. Can anyone varify that?

Now 50K miles later, I see the output shaft has side play when it's up on jackstands and I move the wheels back and forth. Those 50K or so miles were not easy ones though

The feel on my unit is nice. But I don't think it has the effort of a Police box. BUT there are a lot of things that effect feel and effort that don't have to do with the steering box. Mods to my car that would effect steering feel and effort:

*Smaller 15" La Carrra Steering wheel give less leaverage and take more effort to turn
*3-5 degrees positve caster. Postive caster makes the car want to return to center and takes more driver effort to turn.
*225/60/15 tires I ran 60 series Dunlop H speed rated tires. Smaller sidewall gives more responsive reaction to steering inputs. I've run 225/50/15 ZR and 245/50/15 ZR tires with event stiffer sidewalls and there are more responsive.

Now, I do have a Firm Feel Stage II rebuilt box in my 68 Dart Conv. That car has stock 16" steering wheel, 245/60/15 series tires, stock torsion bars, and it's a convertible (flex). Feels about the same as my Barracuda in regards to effort.

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I got one from advance auto for 1989 Dodge Diplomat SE Police P/S Gear Box
Product Number: NSP276515 . I think it was around $170.

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Thanks cuda70

Rockauto.com and partsamerica.com both carried it, but it's a reman'd Cardone unit p/n 276515. I also found it on autopartsgiant.com for $115. Problem is they all have a $125 core charge...maybe they won't be able to tell the difference when I send back my old standard box, maybe.

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OK Starting around 74 IIRC they went to a larger sector shaft coming out of the steering box. What pitman arm would you use in an earlier B or E Body that had a smaller shaft? I'm guessing the later B-Body (Cordoba etc) one?

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