I know that it is common for Jeeps to develop play in the steering box, my 98 Cherokee Classic has this problem. I have plans for this Jeep to become my DD/ weekend wheeler. This spring or summer a 3.5 inch RE lift kit is going to and so is an aftermarket stereo system which means new speakers and an amp. As I was saying the steering box makes this thing kind of unsafe to drive because of the play it has developed over the years. I have two questions:

1. How involved is this job? Is this going to be a simple procedure of unbolting a few bolts on the steering box, removing the feed and return lines and removing the drop pitman arm, or something much more complicated. (I don't take my Jeep to shops anymore to get work done because it makes the Jeep not worth owning, repair costs add up and over time they will outdo the KBB value, So I try to do my own work now).

2. Should I get a PSC steering box? I understand that PSC makes on and off road applications, so I need to figure out which one to get. On Quadratec's website they show a PSC power steering box for a really low price, which beats all the OEM prices have seen.

I am trying to gather all necessary information so that I know everything I need to know to do the job. Any and all help is appreciated.

 

I just realized that the price that Quadratec has listed for their steering box, is for the steering box alone, it is a bare box with no gears. I looked around and quickly realized, no one sells a complete box, it is just the box without the gears. SO, what would some of you guys on the forum do to address this issue?

 

Durango steering box. From what I understand bolts in and is a beefier box. Doing mine as soon as I get my lift installed.

 

durango box for sure. bolts in i just cannot remember what year you need. its a easy job to do. pull the lines off and the pitman arm, disconect the steering shaft and pull the three bolts that hold the box in. might be a good idea to source new gear box bolts (grade 8) its common to break them during removal. I drilled and tapped my new box to 1/2 inch bolts for more strength.

 

I agree with both of you, I quickly realized that it would be well worth it. But I actually researched some more and came up with new questions:

1. Will, for the time being and if my plans to buy a lift kit fall through, the Durango box work with a stock Cherokee with no lift?

2. I noticed that most places are selling the steering box and its gears in such a way so that you have to buy one then the other. If I replace anything, what exactly should I target the box or the gears inside of it? I'm asking because I've seen people say "my box is toast" and then they replace it, but I am wondering was it the box or the gears within it that were bad? Or both?

I'm slightly confused with all of this. If I "upgrade" to a Durango steering box then what year box will swap over to my '98 Cherokee, should I get a steering box that has the snow plow package or not? Also how much will a Durango steering box cost.

Again any and all help is appreciated with this, I know that a lot of you have done this swap, so I'm sure someone can give me some help here.

 

Anybody able to answer any of my questions in the previous post?

 

I can't see why a Durango box wouldn't work on a stock xj. As far as the 2nd question I would assume if the actual body of the box isn't busted you could actually just replace gears, bearings, etc. It's just easier for the average person to replace the whole box either because of lack of mechanical knowledge or lack of time to rebuild the box.

 

I thought about taking off my current steering box and adjusting everything, but then I realized after researching everything that you need certain tools, and also that it is not recommended to do this, also it seems easier to just replace the box. James, I did some research and it seems that the 98-99 Durango Steering box WITHOUT Snow plow for a V8/4x4 is the correct one to use, this is going to a two fold upgrade for me because this box will correct my slack/play, as well as enable me to turn bigger tires easier when I lift my Jeep. I have another question though:

1. Should I try to find a reman. box from like Napa or something? I am a little concerned about getting one from a junkyard because it could be just as bad or worse than my current one. I figure that if Napa, Advanced, Orileys has a reman. one I could get one from them. What do you guys think? I have heard of a lot of people getting reman's from one of these places and having problems with them and having to go back several times to swap it out.

 

As long as you don't plan on oversize tires and a lot of heavy offroading, I would go with the reman box. You get new gears, seals and bearings as needed and some warranty. But it is for stock or near stock applications, no rock crawling, please..............

Bill

 

Its hard to say really, in my mind I see this Cherokee lifted on a RE 3.5 inch Super Flex system and rolling on 31's or 33's in the near future. It will be used as a DD/ weekend wheeler, mostly for running trails and possible rockcrawling and driving around town or driving to the beach? I don't know about rock crawling too much though. I feel like if I went to Advanced Auto parts I could get a Reman. Durango box, I thought about the Reman. Cherokee box from Advanced but their website has three reviews, all of which are bad.

 

1998 Dodge Durango with the plow package. The box is far beefier and adds an additional bolt to tie into the Unitbody. There is a very good write up on this, pm me for more info. I have done it myself and it make one finger wheeling no problem. Three of the four bolts are a direct match. Use your existing pitman arm or upgrade to a V8 ZJ pitman. Good time to upgrade trac bar, I suggest an adjustable unit... You'll always want to go bigger!!!

 

I'm all for working on my own Jeep, I just don't feel comfortable drilling the unibody for the fourth bolt. I actually just found this:

http://www.quadratec.com/products/56112_55.htm

Its an AGR steering box upgrade for the Cherokee, all I have to do now is call Quadratec and make sure it isn't just he goddamn steering box without the gears inside of it. Let me know what you guys think of this.

Heres where I am at right now. I can go to Advanced Auto Parts, and pick up a reman. Steering gear box (which from the looks of their website looks like a piece of ****), upgrade to a reman. Durango steering box (which from advanced has the potential to also be a piece of ****), or go with the AGR steering box upgrade (but only if it is in fact the entire assembly). Anyone running the AGR steering upgrade let me know how you like it.

Thats me right now, a few more opinions would be helpful to help me out and would be much appreciated.

 

I have been reading up on AGR's SB2 Gear box, it seems like a really nice upgrade, should tighten up my steering and help me down the road. All I'm worried about is what if their box develops play in it over time, then I'm screwed. But then again I've heard of people having to go to Advanced auto Parts three times to swap out Steering gear boxes they installed that didn't work. The 90 warranty is steep if you ask me, in my opinion if they wanted to develop a bigger customer pool, they should have a better warranty. Like I said before though, let me know what your guys take on their SB2 Gear box is.

 

You don't have to drill the fourth hole if you don't feel comfortable doing so. It will still bolt right in! Direct swap, easy as can be. While you're in there slap a C-Rok steering box brace on the inside. It'll take a little grinding on the bracket because the box is a little bigger so the space between the Unitbody need to be less.

 

Dukie564 did a great write up, check it out