Has anybody priced the new 26 steering box?

[Dougn]

It looks expensive. Maybe INEOS will do us a solid and sell it for less profit

 

[TCMColorado]

I inquired at my dealer and was told it was not possible to retrofit the new steering box in previous model years. This seems dubious, I suspect it can be retrofitted, but as a result they would not even quote me a price.

 

[Dokatd]

I inquired at my dealer and was told it was not possible to retrofit the new steering box in previous model years. This seems dubious, I suspect it can be retrofitted, but as a result they would not even quote me a price.

This is the same old story, remember when they said you couldn't add trailer wiring after the fact.

 

[Dougn]

yeah that sounds wrong

 

[Dougn]

they may say that because people would complain and want it for free....maybe starting a lemon thing or a lawsuit. bad press

 

[TCMColorado]

This is the same old story, remember when they said you couldn't add trailer wiring after the fact.

I am 99% certain you can retrofit the new steering box they just don't have the inventory to support lots of swaps and don't want to give the impression that the old box was in some way defective. Give it some time and the swap will become commonplace assuming you are willing to pay the likely substantial cost.

 

[Dokatd]

I am 99% certain you can retrofit the new steering box they just don't have the inventory to support lots of swaps and don't want to give the impression that the old box was in some way defective. Give it some time and the swap will become commonplace assuming you are willing to pay the likely substantial cost.

That's more or less what I was saying. They did exactly that with the trailer wiring fiasco.

 

[OkGo]

Is the new steering box better in someway?

 

[TheDocAUS]

Recently fitting the Bilstein steering dampener with the Heasman wheel alignment has transformed the steering on my car - which has the old steering box.

@KristinaM is in the process of fitting this combination on her car. That is a US spec car, whereas mine is AU spec (not that it should matter much).

This combo is probably cheaper than a new steering box. I have been shocked the difference it made. It now:
1. steers like a car
2. returns to centre;
3. steering is lighter.

More observations here, including the two following posts:

Post in thread 'Does anyone have aftermarket Bilstein B6 offroad shocks/Bilstein front dampener'

Feb 20, 2026

BILSTEIN B6 SHOCKS
The Bilstein B6's were installed yesterday. Too early for any informed comment. They do weigh less than the OEM shocks removed.

They have been fitted for a trip to The Kimberley later this year. The first trip will towing the van in about 2 weeks.

BILSTEIN DAMPENER
I also had a Bilstein steering dampener installed with a Heasman’s wheel alignment. Heasmans are the Australian Bilstein importer and also do R&D for them. They are also behind Polyair airbags, on my car and van.

Wally now returns to centre nicely. It has a rubber protector over the dampener, so...

• TheDocAUS

• 

 

[Tazzieman]

Recently fitting the Bilstein steering dampener with the Heasman wheel alignment has transformed the steering on my car - which has the old steering box.

@KristinaM is in the process of fitting this combination on her car. That is a US spec car, whereas mine is AU spec (not that it should matter much).

This combo is probably cheaper than a new steering box. I have been shocked the difference it made. It now:
1. steers like a car
2. returns to centre;
3. steering is lighter.

More observations here, including the two following posts:

Post in thread 'Does anyone have aftermarket Bilstein B6 offroad shocks/Bilstein front dampener'

Feb 20, 2026

BILSTEIN B6 SHOCKS
The Bilstein B6's were installed yesterday. Too early for any informed comment. They do weigh less than the OEM shocks removed.

They have been fitted for a trip to The Kimberley later this year. The first trip will towing the van in about 2 weeks.

BILSTEIN DAMPENER
I also had a Bilstein steering dampener installed with a Heasman’s wheel alignment. Heasmans are the Australian Bilstein importer and also do R&D for them. They are also behind Polyair airbags, on my car and van.

Wally now returns to centre nicely. It has a rubber protector over the dampener, so...

• TheDocAUS

• 

How will it perform on a really rocky track?
I found the Toughdog shock gives me the flexibility I am happy with, not that the stock setup really bothered me. As an old Landy owner, anything 21st century is space age

 

[TheDocAUS]

How will it perform on a really rocky track?
I found the Toughdog shock gives me the flexibility I am happy with, not that the stock setup really bothered me. As an old Landy owner, anything 21st century is space age

I do not know. I have only done limited offroad driving. OK on light corrugations, but I have not done badly corrugated roads or rocky tracks.

There is a little moer feedback and movement on corrugations, verse OEM dampener.

Slowly working though the various scenarios, last one being towing on road.

 

[Tazzieman]

Last Saturday I drove back home 2hrs in the dark towing 2.5T , and on the twisty, narrow hilly road it felt more reassured than it would have given a loose easy car like setup.
Too car like and you'd forget you are driving a small articulated truck requiring full attention.
I guess we all have our preferenced often terrain/ location related.
In time, some of the MY26 guys might even backdate to the 23MY steering boxes!

 

[TCMColorado]

Is the new steering box better in someway?

The 2026 box has a higher ratio so less turn of the wheel is needed to move the wheels than the previous box.

 

[Dokatd]

The 2026 box has a higher ratio so less turn of the wheel is needed to move the wheels than the previous box.

If that's true then the dead band will feel smaller. That could be a decent upgrade. But if that's the solution then there is virtually no way Ineos will be helping earlier trucks. Assuming the box can be swapped then we will be on our own to upgrade.

I have been playing with the idea of changing my pitman arms length. That could reduce the dead band a bit and make life a bit better. Cost would be minimal.