Durango Gear Box / ZJ Steering Bar Swap Afterthoughts
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,048
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From: Georgia
Year: 2004
Model: Grand Cherokee (WJ)
Engine: 4.0 Inline 6
Damn Jeep will be a $10k vehicle when I am done with the thing! Never intended for that to happen...
CF Veteran
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,672
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From: Plainfield Illinois
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L Straight 6
Seasoned Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 391
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From: Chicago Illinois
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
It's called iron Rock offroad they make the spacer but you will have to weld 2 more washer on each hole I say weld because any other way will be almost impossible or take alot of time haha anyone who had done this swap will know how much of a pain it is holding the box and spacer and trying to line up the bolt with the washers so make it easy on urself and weld it out off of the truck
Thread Starter
☠ CF Sheriff ☠

Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 15,197
Likes: 18
From: Aberdeen, MD
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO I-6, 703 Injectors, Brown Dog Super Engine Mounts
I used the spacer plate from C-ROK, and it wasn't THAT big of a deal to keep the washers in place during install...
CF Veteran
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,672
Likes: 0
From: Plainfield Illinois
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L Straight 6
CF Veteran
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,672
Likes: 0
From: Plainfield Illinois
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L Straight 6
Thread Starter
☠ CF Sheriff ☠

Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 15,197
Likes: 18
From: Aberdeen, MD
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO I-6, 703 Injectors, Brown Dog Super Engine Mounts
the only difficult part for me was lying on my back with a 30lb steering box balanced in one hand while trying to get the steering shaft onto the box with the other. Many obscenities were uttered that day
Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis Indiana
Year: 1994
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 5.2
Well I did this about 6 months ago. Held the spacers in place with some masking tape. Strong enough to hold, thin enough to not be in the way, and flexible enough to move a little when I needed it to. A second person was helpful to get the bolts started and the steering shaft started. Do not turn the steering wheel very much as that will break the turn signal cancalling part up in the top of the steering column. I just went ahead and replaced the high pressure hose as mine was not leaking but looked worned. Made the job easer I think. My original box was leaking so this was good swap for me. Seems to turn a little quicker. ????? I do think this box is a little heavy handed, as it seems to require a bit more effort to turn the steering wheel at slow speeds and parking lots. Not problem for me but my wife noticed it right away. Use locktite on the threads if you are concerned about the bolts coming lose. Hasn't been a concern for me,but I do not trail, only a DD. Happy trails
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 851
Likes: 0
From: Riverside county
Year: 89' soon to be
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO 167k miles
Forgot where I read it, saw a pic too. When out looking on your own at the JY, the non plow, the one for the upgrade has the same bolt pattern. The plow version has the 2 bottom bolts closer together. Take your old brace, or make a template, so you can confirm its the right one.
Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis Indiana
Year: 1994
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 5.2
checking around the info I got is the the snow plow version has an additional port to operate a plow lift. the bolt holes ,i think, are alike. as they don't change the frame when ordering a snow plow package, they only upgrade the parts, sterring,raditor, alternator, and etc. The extra port can be plugged, and the snow plow version has a different turns lock to lock.. If I remember right snow plow verson was 4.2 lock to lock and the standard is 3.5 lock to lock. I heard from one person that it, the snow plow version, would make it easier to turn in a parking lot, but not reduce or enlarge the turn radias as that is set by the stops on your vehicle. Hope that helps,
It's called iron Rock offroad they make the spacer but you will have to weld 2 more washer on each hole I say weld because any other way will be almost impossible or take alot of time haha anyone who had done this swap will know how much of a pain it is holding the box and spacer and trying to line up the bolt with the washers so make it easy on urself and weld it out off of the truck



