ace66

Hello enthusiasts:
Planning to change out the original manual steering box with integrated shaft from a stock 66 coupe and replace with a Scott Drake integrated unit. Drake is now selling a new integrated manual box and shaft. Is this a job that can be done in the garage at home, or should I plan to have a suspension shop do the work? I have not read any reviews of the Drake unit. If anyone knows of its quality, I'd like to hear about it.

Thanks

Ace1

fastbackford351

If you have any kind of mechanical aptitude then I'd say do it yourself. I can't answer to the Drake setup specifically but I know that it isn't a complex setup and is something well within a shade tree mechanics wheelhouse.

ace66

Appreciate the advice. Found several sources that give directions for pulling the box and shaft out from the top. Planning to remove the entire unit and send back to Lares Corporation for a rebuild. Lares will rebuild the unit for $260.00 with 16:1 internals. Keeping the original box with the code number tag is important to me and then getting a quicker ratio turn is worth the time and energy to send the box in for a rebuild. Price out and back for shipping is about $200 to California.

I added a post below about the Lares corporation and the integrated box and shafts that they manufacture and sell to vendors throughout the U.S.

Ace 66

ace66

For owners of 65-early 67 Mustangs who may be considering staying with an integrated steering box and shaft, I have information on where to purchase these units. The Lares Corporation, Cambridge MN builds new and remanufactured integrated box and shaft units for early Mustangs (and other classics). I am planning to remove the entire unit in my 66 and send it back to Lares Corporation for a rebuild. Lares will rebuild the unit for $260.00 with 16:1 internals. Keeping the original box with the code number tag is important to me and then getting a quicker ratio turn is worth the time and energy to send the box in for a rebuild. Price out and back for shipping is about $200 to California.

Rock Auto sells the stock 22:1 ratio integrated box and shaft both as a remanufactured unit in the original tagged boxes and as a new unit. All made by Lares
Lares part numbers are: #18716 for a new 22:1 stock integrated box and shaft
#18702 for a new 16:1 stock integrated box and shaft
#8716 for a remanufactured (original Mustang box) 22:1 stock integrated box and shaft
#8702 for a stock integrated box and shaft in original box with 16:1 internals

CJ Pony also is a vendor for Lares (Lares lists their vendors on their website). CJ Pony's part numbers are:
#18716 for a new 22:1 stock integrated box and shaft
#SB 26 which is the Lares 18702 for a new 16:1 stock integrated box and shaft
#SB 22 which is the Lares 18702 again for the new 16:1 stock integrated box and shaft. (An online salesperson
informed me that both part numbers are for the same unit)

The CJ Pony unit which has part no. #SB22 is the same unit Scott Drake sells under the part number C5ZZ-4538-P.

Hope this helps in the search. Check the prices and compare first before buying.

Ace 66