Bloodzone

79 with factory power steering. My system does not leak or have any major issues. Ragjoint is only 1 year old. I'm interested in the Borgeson upgrade just for driving pleasure.

Is the Borgeson system completely different from factory PS?
Do I only need to swap the gearbox?
Will my factory PS control valve be compatible?

Street Rat

The factory ps cylinder and hoses come off. You just use your old ps pump and the new gearbox. You will really enjoy the change to the Borgeson unit.

Jartanyon

Upgraded my '78 with the Borgeson unit - night and day difference.

rcread

Borgeson is one of the best modifications I've ever done to any car. Well worth the money and modest effort.

redwingvette

Old vs new
The cylinder and valve are removed and the lines from the pump attach to the new box instead. The steering column has to be collapsed to make the new box fit.

Bloodzone

Thanks everyone. Its more simple than I thought. The hardest part may be collapsing a 37 year old steering column.

Street Rat

My Column wouldn't budge. I went down to local hardware store and purchased a little hand held 3lb sledge hammer. That did it.

Bloodzone

Is it necessary to realign the front end after install?

rcread

Yes, according to the instructions.

User-C3

I recently did the borgeson conversion also on my 78, as stated above the best modification done for handling. My car would pull all over the lane and often times make me feel like I was just along for the ride. Now its exactly how it should be, firm, direct, and no wondering.

65GGvert

I locked the steering wheel, blocked the front tires where they were, dropped the pitman arm and after install the pitman arm slid back on exactly where it was. I also centered the new box on the bench and put a mark at 12 o'clock in case I moved it accidentally. I have had no issues with tire wear or any other problems. Fantastic improvement. My car was manual steering, so your method may vary if you have to remove the steering cylinder or change pitman arms.

Bloodzone

New Borgeson unit arrived today. Found a decent deal. New in box with ragjoint, hoses, rod adapter and mounting bolts, 648 shipped.

Its raining next couple of days so next week is my install window. I'll report back with my opinion.

Thanks to all.

Denpo

Ridetech's reinforcement plate is a good companion to this mod, keeps the steering box from flexing around the frame, does good job for the price.

Bloodzone

Install Update:

Small problem collapsing steering column. Fitting rag joint was more difficult. Both were expected from forum research on installment issues.

A front alignment will be necessary. Car pulls left.

Noticeable improvement even with the car out of alignment. Feels more modern.

I rate it 3 thumbs and a smile.