I had in mind to make a thread about this. But, swapping the gearboxes was pretty easy, aside from some stuck nuts, and the writeup for the durango box is exactly the same.

Here's a pic of the old and new boxes side by side:


Not a great pic to see this, but they're exactly the same on the outside. Identical. So the swap went smoothly.

AND..... drumroll please... I like it. The steering is tighter and more responsive. I think this will do nicely until she's lifted.

As for it wearing out the ps pump faster... I'll update this thread if anything happens in the near future because of this swap.

So far so good though. It drives sweet now. No more steering issues. Woot.

 

I didn't realize they were so close. I've only ever heard about the Durango box. Is there a different gear ratio in this box? What's the advantage of this box over an OEM box? Cheaper?

 

It was less than half the price of the rebuilt durango box. It has the "sports package" giving it 2.5 turns to lock each way instead of 3.5. Other than that, I don't know jack about gear ratios and all that.

Added: Another advantage may be that since this is experimental I got both the rebuilt box and ps pump from autozone so they both have a 1 year warranty in case anything happens. It's cheapo reaman goods but at least there's some sort of warranty.

If any of you rich guys want to donate awesome expensive parts, I'll put those on instead.

 

I love the way she drives with the new box. But, I have noticed a problem already. However I am not sure if it is caused by the new box. Maybe you guys can tell.

The problem is the exact same problem we were having with the steering before! The problem is that in the morning, or anytime the Jeep is cold, the steering kinda feels like it's slipping and it makes a weird sort of seal harping sound. arp arp arp, that sort of thing.

Anyway, once she warms up the problem goes away and she handles great.

Any ideas anyone? I've replaced the pump and box and checked about everything else I can think of.

 

Cold tires?

Bad stuff in the diff causing a locking effect?

 

The sound isn't the tires squeaking on the driveway. They do that too. And, the steering wheel seems to have play and be slipping somehow along with the sound. It sounds like it's coming from the ps pump. It always has. But I just replaced the pump. I expect it to groan now and then but this slipping and harping sound is weird. And only when cold?

I don't know anything about the diff. But, I'll look into it thanks.

 

Axle ujoints or ball joints?

just tossing out ideas.

 

The ball joints look good. They're not split anyway. Checked those when I changed the tie rod and track bar boots. The sway bar bushings were apparently already swapped for poly boots before we got it over 10 years ago and they still look new.

That's why put poly boots on everything else. The tie rod ends all seemed good. I replaced the drivers side one anyway 'cause the threads got messed up.

U-joints? I'll look into that too. Thanks. That's a new one for me too.

 

is the noise turning only or both straight and turning? if its rotational (noise gets faster with speed) replace your ujoints, if its not rotational, its the ball joints. just my guess

 

If your XJ is 4x4, check your front drive shaft double cardon joint.