Quick question, I've heard you can install a Durango steering box in an XJ... is that a bolt in replacement or does it require modifying anything? Does it matter what year Durango and does it need to be a certain motor, 4wd or 2wd, etc; or are their steering boxes all the same?

My steering seems to be getting worse by the day and with a sale at the junkyard and clear weather I think I better try and grab a new box today. I can pull one from an XJ but I know there is a Durango there too, wondering if that's the way to go.

Normally I'd just search but I'm not near a computer, posting from my phone, and time is kind of an issue. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

durango box is an easy swap. just need longer bolts and some washers. pull the box from a 98-99 V8 4wd durango that does NOT have the plow option

as far as I know, all 98-99 durango's were 4wd and v8

 

Most durangos are rack and pinion, I think it's '97 or '98 that they weren't.
I've read that a few of the durango boxes are a different ratio too, but not sure which ones.
My humble opinion, as one who has a junkyard steering box... get a remanufactured one. It sucks doing a steering box again and again, and there's a point where its not saving money anymore.
It bolts right in, to the 3 holes in your unibody rail. I would suggest adding or changing the spacer to the JCR spacer or the C-Rok as an upgrade to the aluminum thing that comes stock on the XJ.
You'll probably have to adjust your drag link then, to center your steering wheel.

 

Dang, I think its an '01 in the yard I'm headed to, according to their website anyway. I'll guess I'll know in about 20 minutes wether it has a box or a rack & pinion. If it doesn't have a box hopefully one of their XJ's will have a good one. I'd love to get a rebuilt box and add a brace but money's tight at the moment and I just need it to be safe so I can get around...