Borgeson Intermediate Shaft and Gearbox

[bigflatdaddy]

Just a good story to share...



After 3 new steering boxes courtesy of my Dodge warranty, the gearbox went out once again. I decided that that, out of the two options, getting another crappy stock box at their expense or installing a borgeson at mine, I decided to stop dancing with the local Dodge dealer.



My 5 year old son and I replaced the steering box and just to be complete, replaced the intermediate shaft as well. The job took about 6 hours, with breaks to watch Monster Jam, eat lunch, and play with the new magnet.



I have to tell you, the steering is so incredibly smooth, I feel like I'm driving a limosine. If any of you have contemplated an upgrade, look no further! The borgeson box has been reengineered to drive with less effort at the wheel.



Cheers!

Paul

 

[chrishenderson1970]

that's good to hear, i just received my borgeson steering shaft the other day(courtesy of my wife for valentines day!) just need to put it in. was the shaft a hassle at all?

 

[RCatalo]

Just replaced my dodge steer box last weekend with a Borgeson box and shaft, I am very happy with the results, the steering is much smoother and much more responsive,

Nite and day difference, should have done this sooner. A little disappointed that the box requires the new shaft or you have to modify the adapter to work with the stock dodge shaft , It would have been easy for Borgeson to offer the adapter already modified giving you a choice and keeping the conversion cost down.

Regards Rich



2000 dodge 3500 converted to single wheel cummins powered

 

[DAWG-1]

Wandering

Just replaced my dodge steer box last weekend with a Borgeson box and shaft, I am very happy with the results, the steering is much smoother and much more responsive,

Nite and day difference, should have done this sooner. A little disappointed that the box requires the new shaft or you have to modify the adapter to work with the stock dodge shaft , It would have been easy for Borgeson to offer the adapter already modified giving you a choice and keeping the conversion cost down.

Regards Rich



2000 dodge 3500 converted to single wheel cummins powered

Did it reduce or even eliminate your truck from wandering? Thanks, Sam.

 

[MelvinPierce]

Mine is sure better. Have 145,000 miles, and it drives MUCH better with the new Borgeson Box and shaft.

 

[RCatalo]

Hello DAWG-1, Yes the Borgeson box eliminated 95% of the steer wander, I have very slight play in the outter tie rods, i decided to upgrade to the T steering or 98-99 heavy duty tie rods/ center link etc, i believe this upgrade will put the truck to like new condition, You would be amazed on how easy the truck steers with the Borgeson box, Its my opinon this is the way the truck should have been from the factory.

Regards Rich

 

[Prairie Dog]

Is the Borgeson box built differently than the stocker?

 

[RCatalo]

Hello Prairie Dog, As the box is marketed the decriptions says it has a larger piston for easier turning and the ratio is faster 3. 5 turns lock to lock, looking at the physical size and weight of the box i would say its beefer, The box made a big differnce and the boxes performs as stated, comes with a 3 yr warranty.

The draw back is the box adapter needs a flat section ground into one side so you can reuse the Dodge shaft, or you have to purchase the Borgeson shaft which adds to the cost of the upgrade,also the Borgeson box is a bit wider so you have to readjust the link coming off the pitman arm by about 3/8 inch, PSC offers a new Dodge box that has mixed reviews , I see more good reviews on the Borgeson box so i went with it.

So far i'm very happy with the box and the shaft.

Regards Rich

 

[Prairie Dog]

Thanks for the info Rich. I've adjusted mine a couple of times but I know its days are numbered. I was going to use a Red-Head but a friend of mine who installs lots of them said they're quality has been slipping lately ~ mostly in the form of leaks. They warranty them but who want's to do that job more than once. .

 

[1995Dodge...]

I installed the box & shaft which is quick & easy on my 97... works much better than stock but has a dead (free play) spot in the center which is a chore to drive as it drifts back & forth... . They say send it in which is $$$ for shp'g !!!! Have to find a spare to use while it is gone... Bob @ Puy, WA

 

[SWithrow]

I would suggest installing the Steering Box Stabilizer, this will reduce the flex in the mounting surface where the box mounts to the frame. Cost is around $225. 00.

 

[mdilling]

I installed Borgeson steering box two weeks ago. It steers great. Had a problem with 5 year old Borgeson shaft slide was rusted tight. The top is open and the water can get into the slip joint. Got it freed up and filled the top with grease

 

[CCahill]

I also installed the Borgeson box and shaft in my truck... . unbelievable difference in the way this truck steers... . the long bed 4wd ex cab trucks used a box all in their own... super slow to respond to inputs and way to high of a steering ratio... . this new box makes my truck feel nimble ( if a 7500# truck can be nimble)... . it's actually fun to drive now. It has had a wander problem since the first day I drove it off the lot, and still does to some extent, but now it's way more controllable. And in town parking is a breeze... . I should have done this the second day I owned the truck.

The only reason I changed this out was because of a leaking sector shaft seal. Wish I knew then what I know now... .

 

[Southbound]

Rcatalo-



I just received my Borgeson steering shaft and after reading this post I am thinking about replacing my stock steering box with the Borgeson box... . sounds like it might be easier to do both. Note: I am on my third factory steering box and after 25k miles I am getting the "road wondering" again!!! Curious you mentioned the fact that you have to adjust the link on the Pitman arm... ... and was wondering if you could explain that a little more? Are you talking about moving the Pitman arm on the box-shaft? Note: I have upgraded to the 08 steering tie-rods, drag-link, and pitman arm... not sure if that changes anything??



Thanks in advance for your time,



Southbound

 

[AMcCormick]

is the pitman arm that comes with this new box any different than the one that comes with the 08 upgrade kit?

 

[mpaulson]

I saw it mentioned here that the stock box can be adjusted. Is this the case? I have never done mine nor do I think anyone else has. Do you just loosen the lock nut, turn the bolt in till you get resistance, then back off 1/4" turn while the wheels are cranked to one side? Or have the wheels straight ahead while doing this? I've been thinking about the Borgeson box and shaft, but just ordered a free spin hub kit and need to take it easy for a bit. I have about 4 inches of movement in the steering wheel before the pitman arm starts to move. I have adjusted boxes on older vehicles without satifaction.

 

[jsffd]

Just read your thread. I have about 4 inches of free play also while pointed straight and the truck not running. I have upgraded the ball joints, and trackbar from Carli. Installed the dyna free spin kit. Went from a 35' "D" tire to a 31' "E" all terrain Terra Grappler. The truck continues towander all over the place on the freeway when the hubs are unlocked, exhausting!!!! But a bit better when locked. Seems i fix one problem another comes up. Have yet to adjust the box or upgrade the steering. The rest of the components are fairly new. Hmmm, new steering or new Borg box?? Thanks Anyone? Anyone?

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Before you mount it..........

They say painting the shaft will void the warranty. Youshould at least spray bomb it w/ Eastwoods Rust Encapsolator. Keep on eye on the upper u-joint. I have had 2 loosen up over the years.



This Borgeson is about 13 years old. It started rusting from the get-go.

 

[RChriste]

Just a good story to share...



After 3 new steering boxes courtesy of my Dodge warranty, the gearbox went out once again. I decided that that, out of the two options, getting another crappy stock box at their expense or installing a borgeson at mine, I decided to stop dancing with the local Dodge dealer.



Cheers!

Paul

Even if you have an extended warranty, I can't imagine anyone going through multiple steering boxes in normal service. Is there something unusual that you are doing with your truck?

 

[mpaulson]

I just installed the Borgeson box two nights ago and I love it so far. I also installed a BD steer box stablizer at the same time. The Stablizer needed some modifications to fit though, the plate that the bearing mounts on was so far out of square to the steering shaft and off center that the box bolt was hitting the side of the hole that I put a pipe wrench on it and bent it down a bit. This helped get the hole on centre and be square with the shaft enough that the bearing would fit on. The bearing does rotate within it's houseing, but not that much. I then had to drill one new hole for the bearing to mount onto the plate that was about a 1/2" from the original one.

I can now hold the steering wheel solid with no movement, and I do not have to do any corrections while on the road. I can move the wheel a 1/2" and the tires have movement in them with the slightest movement.

One thing that I do find odd though since I did the box, is now I have "bump steer" happening when I hit bumps. never had this with the stock box, not one little bit. I guess the steering stablizer shock is the next thing on the list!!!@#@ Does it ever end?

Oh yea, the steering box also needed on washer between it and the frame on one bolt as it didn't sit tight to the frame and I didn't want to put that much pull on the ear for fear of snapping it off, which with my luck would happen.