I need to change my stering box in 91xj i was told you could use on from a durango so it will be stronger does anyone know what year durango. Or have better solution

 

I believe you want one from a 9899 durango with the snowplow option.

 

The snow plow option was dropped in 99 and all of the 99+ Durangos used the larger and more desirable gear box.

 

does engine size matter?

 

you can ONLY get them from ONE year of the durango... thats a 99... i thought mine was going out also and researched and even found one... u can use either the snow plow package or the reg... they ONLY came in the 4x4 as the 2x4 had a rack and pinion... the reg steering gear box people want because its stronger and is easier to turn because of fluid transfer.... the snow plow package is even harder to come by and it actually has a better gear setup so that alittle turn of the wheel makes for a big turn of the jeep... also this is not a EXACT bolt in... there will be some spacers that you will need to make between the gearbox and the frame... about 3/4 of an in or so... some people just stack washers (ghetto) i was going to build a frame stiffner for where the box goes... and just use a thick matterial right there... these bolts are proned to pull out anyway... but it turned out my little adjustable sleeve on the steering link was loose and was about to fall off before i noticed it... could only turn one way eventually... so it was a free fix for me instead... car-part.com lists them and wheather or not its a snow plow package or not... and MAKE SURE it is before you buy it... line check the VIN it came off of... cause couple i found they listed as snow plow package but really werent... goodluck!!

 

Hard to come by? No. You can buy one at any parts house. I got mine from NAPA and used my stock gear box as a core.

Any gearbox from a Pre-99 will work if it is the gear box for a Durango WITH the snow plow option. Post 99 had no snow plow option and all (4x4, Gen II) Durangos were equipped with the larger gear box.

As far as the spacer is concerned, an additional 1/4 spacer is needed. You can also eliminate the need for the additional spacer by using a BFH to place a stategically located dimple on the inboard side of the frame rail.

BTDT

 

I have been looking inot this mod.. Thanks Frnk for clarifying all the research I have done about the steering box.


Now the question of questions... are there any aftermarket vendors tapping them for hydro assist?

I have burnt up a stock steering box and pump all ready and figured hydro assist would be better anyway for when I step up to 36's


I will tell you all I have done to beef up steering area. C-rok steering box brace, as well as the rigged brace going to above the pitman arm. also plated the front x-member. I have no deflection in my steering area even in rocks.

 

well hard to come by more as a JY find... i didnt know you could get them at napa cause ive searched autozone.com web site and nothing came up for any of them guys that i could find... like they dont even sell gearboxes or something... never tried napa or BtoB... so thats good to know... i couldnt remember if it was 1/4 or 3/4 and was pretty sure it was 3/4 but 1/4 makes more sence as to how i was just gonna run a 1/4in plate to make the frame stronger in the mean time... 3/4 in plate would be alittle more difficult so that makes more sence again...

 

i also herd of people swaping grand cherokee boxes in, i don't know if that would be a direct bolt or not but im sure its easyer to find that than a 1 year span of a durango

 

wouldnt think a GC would make much difference...