37 Dodge D5 Sedan Straight Axle steering box options

[Sharps40]

What are Steering Column/Box Options (37 Dodge D5 4 Door Touring Sedan) that

are aftermarket and that either:

Mate aftermarket steering column to original seering box or

use aftermarket steering column and steering box mated to original 37 Dodge straight axle set up.

We are retaining the original front straight axle (already resprung and rebulit) but adding Disc Brakes to the original dodge spindles.

The original box and column is good but ancient/probably overdue for replacment or total overhaul.

Power pack is Ford 200 cu in L6 and C4 automatic. So, spunky enough but not over powered.

Just doing some research as Ol Bessie has moved to the front of the repair line. Given the new drive line and rear end/brakes, want to see what can be done about updating the other major system to a more modern manual steering set up.

A direct bolt up or kit with all the parts is ideal if available.

 

[deathbound]

Not sure about options, but on my '38 Plymouth (nearly identical front end), I went through my entire front end/steering box & works really well. Front disc conversion also. Here's my thread:http://p15-d24.com/topic/26625-new-front-disc-brakes-front-end-rebuild-steering-rebuild-for-the-38-plymouth/

By the way, welcome to the forum, post pics of your car if you get a chance.

[Sharps40]

That may well be a plan. Kingpins/tierods/draglink are all new. Box seems okay. My primary concern since box parts are available is less the box and more the mainshaft of the steering column. Experience with the old Chevy Trucks shows the bearings eventually cut through the shaft and I'm assuming pcolumn parts on a 78 year old dodge will be hard to find. Was considering mating an Ididit to the original box or a rebuilt box. But, its been a while since I searched for parts on this car (22 years) so have some digging to do.

It was Dads car, then mine and I drove it daily till i was 30 when it was hit by a drunk. We sold the wreck and recently found it. Buying it back with restomodding soon to start! I am hoping by October of this year or sooner to have a running, driving painted and upholstered 37 D5 4 Door Humpback back in my garage. For 22 years I never thought I'd see it again!

Currently, it has a ford 200 L6 and C4 installed with about 1 hour of run time! Disc brakes, new rear and accident/rust damage repair should be starting at the shop in a few weeks. Dad is working with the shop on the plan and I am working the finances.

Maybe by fall, Dad and I will be driving again in "our" first car together, Ol Bessie is coming home and we are both beyond excited. Dad is 76 but already indicates we are hunting and fishing from Ol Bessie, just like we did when i was a kid.....but with me driving and him fiddling with the crank open windshield!

 

 

Pops is supposed to get photos of the current state of the vehicle, with 22 years of dirt on it this week when he visits the shop to start laying out the plans.  I told him to hug her from me!

[Sharps40]

Thanks all.  Much warmer welcome here and on the HAMB.  Solid information both places too and I greatly appreciate the advice coming back to the car of my youth after 22 years away.