[shommel]

the quick steering ratio box and power steering? also why did gts have the quick steering and not just power steering?(or did they come with both)how tough is it to add power steering to a non power steering 65 mustang?

[Veronica]

Hello. you could get power steering on a car that also had the GT package, as long as it was an 'A' code car. The K codes all had manual steering in 65/66. The purpose of the quicker steering was to make the car more responsive. Kind of like a sho' 'nuff sports car.

It isn't tough to change a car over to power steering, but, it would be pretty expensive. Besides the pump itsel, along with bracket, you would also need a different drag link and ider arm, along with valve body assembly and the cylinder. Not cheap.

[67ragtopStang]

What is the differnce in ratios for standard and quick ratio steering boxes?

[Blackshadow]

16:1 for the quick, 20:1 for most non gt manual cars

[67ragtopStang]

Thanks Blackshadow. Are the gearboxes themselves, the same for power and non-power steering?

[Blackshadow]

Most steering boxs using power steering unit are 20:1 ( just because more standard cars produced) but since the gearbox isn't a hydraulic motor and you just basically need the drag link and ider arm, along with valve body assembly and the cylinder, it will work with both. but like Veronica says above it is costly unless you can find used .. but most of the used is worn out. For all new guessing it would be $2000+ if I was going to spend that much I would look at the rack and pinion setups. I have seen them for non power $875 plus or minus, for power setup for $1100 to $1500. but you still would need a pump.

[65rangoon]

it would be pretty expensive to change over. just the drag link/valve (all 1 unit on 65/66) is $450-500 alone. then the hoses are about $50, the slave cylinder, different LH inner tie rod, power steering pump

[kens67mustang]

Originally Posted by shommel

the quick steering ratio box and power steering? also why did gts have the quick steering and not just power steering?(or did they come with both)how tough is it to add power steering to a non power steering 65 mustang?

powersteer is different from a quick ratio box.....you could get a quick ratio,without the powersteeing,the quick ratio box is just that, the ratio for the gears in the box allow for quicker response for steering effort,while the p/s makes the turning easier.a performance enhansment for sure .

[The Greek]

All manual steering boxes were 19:1 with the exception of the "Special Handling" boxes which were 16:1.

All of the power steering boxes were 16:1. The P/S system used on the early Mustang was an external power assist. The system was separate from the steering box. The later P/S systems have the power assist built into the steering box. That started in 1971.

The 19:1 boxes are easier to steer, but it takes more turns of the steering wheel to go full right to full left. The 16:1 box takes more effort, but also less turns of the steering wheel.

A large diameter steering wheel also lessens the turning effort on a manual steering set up. That's why old cars have such huge steering wheels, most had manual steering and that's how they lessened the effort.

I put the quicker 16:1 box on my manual steering and I suggest not going to any smaller steering wheel than a 14". Especially with wide tires.

I wouldn't waste my money on converting to a stock P/S system. The things were always problematic and to see those hoses hanging down under the car, sucks. If you want P/S go with the rack and pinion system, as said. It'll be cheaper, easy to install and definitely less problems.

[1965stang]

Originally Posted by The Greek

A large diameter steering wheel also lessens the turning effort on a manual steering set up. That's why old cars have such huge steering wheels, most had manual steering and that's how they lessened the effort.

I wouldn't waste my money on converting to a stock P/S system. The things were always problematic and to see those hoses hanging down under the car, sucks. If you want P/S go with the rack and pinion system, as said. It'll be cheaper, easy to install and definitely less problems.

+1 with what The Greek said. I took my old steering wheel/column off last weekend in preparation for my R&P install this weekend - that thing was huge when I got it off finally. That comment aside, I totally agree with The Greek and the R&P decision for power steering. I did tons of research about swapping out all my manual stuff and converting over to power steering. Then one day I realized, why would I spend all that money converting over to a power steering system and technology that's 40+ years old, when for a little more I could get modern steering. That swayed me, but you may be going for a more vintage look/feel using the older power steering systems. It all comes down to what you want to get out of it.