Yes, yet another thread about steering boxes. I really did try to do some searching and came up with some conflicting info. All the info I could find seemed to be from at least 5 years ago. Times have changed.

So its time for a new steering box for my XJ. The output shaft (the one the pitman arm attaches to) has side to side play. I am thinking its most likely the bearing being worn out after 160k miles. No leaks or odd noises. I am on 31s right now and will be going to 33s in the future.

So option # 1 - Rebuild the box myself. I can get a rebuild kit from Chrysler for about $40. I have never rebuilt a box but it doesnt look too bad to do. My only concern about rebuilding it is what if there are other parts that are worn out that the rebuild kit does not include. That I wont know until I get the rebuild kit and take the box apart. Its a gamble.

Option # 2 - Get a stock replacement box from Crown. They are about $350. I have not been able to find any threads about people using them. Typically stuff from Crown is pretty good and worth the added cost. So I am hoping someone on here has used one and can give some feedback.

Option # 3 - Durango box. This is where I am getting conflicting info. Some people say that they are beefier inside and out. Some people say just the case is beefier yet the internals are the same. I also read that they are a 3 turn lock to lock box and may limit the steering angle. Other people say they are actually a 3.5 lock to lock box. Some people even say that you can get 2 identical boxes yet the lock to lock will vary (cheap reman ones). Then there is the whole snow plow option. Some say that it has 2 extra holes for running an external box. Some say that the PSI is different for easier steering. Some say there is no difference. Is the Durango box really an upgrade and is it worth it?

Option # 4 - PSC box. Stupid expensive at $850. But it is built in the USA with all new parts and is beefier in every way. This is by far the best option and by far the most expensive. Is it overkill? Yes most likely. But overkill typically means that the part will last longer.

Option # 5 - Cheap out and get a reman box from A1 or Duralast. They are cheap money wise which typically means that they are poor quality. I have read that some last for 1 week and other people get a few years out of them. I personally put one in my last XJ and was not very satisfied. This is not the route I am looking to go.

So if anyone has anything they would like to add, that would be great. If you have some other options, please tell me. Used is not going to be an option for me. I dont care what it will cost as long as it can be justified. I am looking to do this only once. Steer me in the right direction!

 

There is the zj steering box option you didn't mention.
http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=986565

Edit:
Read post #11 more concrete info on xj box vs zj box.
http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1106447

 

Thanks 89. So it looks like the ZJ box is almost identical to the XJ except for the gear ratio. They dont really say if it is stronger or not. Almost seems like its the same box as the Durango.

 

that's punny

you also forgot the YJ box option, if you prefer fixed over variable steering. I didn't like it, I like the stock XJ box the best

I've ran XJ, reman XJ, YJ, and Durango. stock XJ box is my favorite option of these based on feel alone. I bought one from Autozone and just considered it to be one of those things you replace annually. Autozone swaps it out for free and I go on enjoying my driving. All the boxes I tried had the same lifespan of about 1 year and none of them really did much as far as improvement. Forget spending 4x the amount to get a PSC unless you're going hydraulic

 

No I didnt forget the YJ box. It was left out for a reason haha. My dad had a YJ a few years ago. Every time I drove it, I thought I was driving a bus. It was like you had to do a full turn of the wheel just to switch lanes.

I am not looking to improve anything in terms of steering feel (except the slop I currently have). I just want a box that I do not have to replace every year. I mean my stock one lasted 160K miles, why cant some aftermarket company make one that does the same? Thats why I am leaning towards the Crown. Middle of the road pricing and the company has a good reputation. Just cant say I have seen anyone put a Crown box in their Jeep.

No plans on a hydro setup either. I dont think my tires will ever be big enough to need one.

 

my oem box lasted 150 k, if it was possible to get a new oem box i would have, so i went w/ a psc . had one on a cj w/ 37's and it pushed them around fine, so it has no trouble w/ 35's on my xj.i dont trust cheap rebuilt ones w/ big tires & offroad use.get what you pay for i believe.

 

Ya I was looking for an OEM one but Chrysler decided they werent going to make them anymore. I was told that the rebuild kit was going to be hard to find too since it is discontinued. But luckily I have a pretty good connection with someone who works at FCA and says he can most likely get me one.

How long have you had the PSC box for? Any signs of wear or slop? Is it a direct bolt on like they say?

 

its been on a year or so, no slop, no problems , but i also run a steering box brace.w/ the sector shaft support, it does bolt right on but needs to spaced over from the frame a small amount. same w/ a durango box because its a hd larger case.

 

dont even consider a AGR box, they are the worst, went thru 2 new ones on a cj, both were bad right out of the box. twice w/ the on & off work. when i sent the 2nd one back for a refund i got a PSC, Never needed another one on the cj.

 

I put in a Durango box and I regret it. It was roughly the same weight as my XJ box and did not really feel any stronger, but I lost a little bit of turning radius which used to be literally phenomenal.

The problem was I went with a really reputable local re-builder and that was all he had in stock at the time (it was either a ZJ box or from a Durango), and I couldn't afford the downtime to pull my box and have him rebuild it.

This was after trying 2 different parts-store rebuilt boxes (one from O'Reilly and one from Napa), both of which were worse than my 260K+ mile old stock box. The Napa one leaked from the sector shaft straight out of the box.


If I were to do it again, I would use a stock XJ steering gear and rebuild it, or get a PSC one even though it is a bit of an investment.

 

You should probably get more than a year out of it, I was pretty hard on my equipment and running 35" tires. Everything is susceptible to wear and tear which is why I'd have trouble spending extra on a nicer name brand that may only last a little longer when it's just a cheap XJ. I still say just slap in a reman, but it sounds like you already know what you're going to end up doing

 

Good info. I was thinking of doing the steering box brace / selector shaft brace as well.

I do have a local rebuilder that we use for our shop. Might give them a call and see what they say about rebuilding mine or getting a reman one from them. I can have the Jeep down for as long as I need so no worries there.

I have no idea what I am going to do. Like you said, what if I spend $350 on the Crown and its actually worse then a AZ box is. Its like no matter what box goes in (besides the PSC) its going to be a gamble. I dont know... I feel like I should at least attempt to rebuild mine and see what happens. Its the cheapest route so if it back fires, not the end of the world. If it works, then it should live a long life. And no, its not a cheap XJ. I have put at least $7500 in this thing to bring it back to life. The engine and steering components are the only things that have not been replaced.

 

just make sure AZ will still take it as a core after you've messed with it.


and yes, it's still a cheap XJ even if you've spent too much on it

 

You know how dumb AZ employees are... As long as there is a steering box in the original box, they will take it as a core. If its broken or missing pieces, I doubt they would know.

I prefer to look at it as an expensive XJ that is worth little haha. But its mine and its how I want it and thats all that matters. I dont have any plans to sell it anytime soon either. I am actually looking at getting another XJ....

 

This is about the same as my experience, replace annually. I generally grab zj boxes from the yard with the pitman already on them, as the arm is about 1" lower than the xj box. Durango box never made much difference to me, lasted just as long. I am extremely hard on parts with the front auto locker & will take the best condition one available, don't give a fawk about 2.6 vs 3.5 turns to lock etc.