Can anyone recommend a supplier or re-builder of steering box for a 1954 Chevy 3100 panel truck? thanks

Have you looked over at Rock Auto? They have the LARES reman units.

If the worm and sector are still good in your box then ChevsOfThe40s has the rebuild kit for a DIY project.

I have zero experience with either. On my '49 fastback the steering box adjustments from the manual were all that were necessary. All of the freeplay was a result of wear in the third arm pivot pin/shaft (causing the third-arm to deflect up or down during initial steering inputs). Between the pivot pin and the tie-rod ends it is now good as new.

What symptoms you are trying to cure?

Basically I have way too much free play. Steering wheel turns too much before anything happens. I adjusted up the free play adjustment, but when it felt like it was good, it would bind on tight turns. I did this back in 1978. I am sure that tie rod ends and king pins need attention also.

So the binding goes away when you back off the free play adjustment? That is curious. And this bind occurs only out by the extreme right/left near the locks?

Make sure the steering sector is centered before making adjustments. Then bottom out the adjuster and back off until you have a little travel in the wheel. Lock it down and try it and then make tiny adjustments as needed.

You may need to replace the recirculating balls in the steering box. More than that, you'll need another box because the gears are too worn. I'm not aware of any replacement gears for this setup.

Try Buffalo, he has a mount to use a late model Saginaw box.
I used one on my 48 chevy sedan, worked great. He may do one for your truck.

thanks for the replies

I once visited a junk yard to buy a Saginaw manual box for a hot rod build. They wanted $75 for a used one off a Chevelle. I looked a little further into the yard and found an AMC box from a Hornet(?).

Same box save for the coupler on the end of the steering column.

For the AMC they wanted $15.

Same box. I think it was the series 525.

I rebuilt my 53 3100 with the kit from Chevy of the 40's. Had a local machine shop press on the races for $30. Worked great. Put John Deere corn head grease in it when your done.https://www.mcmaster.com/#9528k16/=19tlmux here is where to buy the balls if you want. They are 9/32" you need 60. They come in a pack of 100 for $6.01. I had them in a couple of days. Hope this helps.

is their a top adjustment too? not familiar with yours but have adjusted many others. most have a top adjustment for bearings. with tires off the ground and side adjustment loose, tighten the bearing until it just starts to drag. next adjust the side until you feel drag, it should feel tighter straight forward and looser at full left or right. noticeable when over tightened but barely when right. now repeat process as either being off effects the other. if bearings or gears are worn out, adjusting wont help but I have fixed dozens of 'adjusted' boxes where the never touched the top.