Alright guys, so i've seen the durango upgrade and the aftermarket steering boxes! so please dont throw up one of those threads or tell me to "Just buy a prius." I get a lot of that garbage on here and usually i'm looking for Current knowledge as its 2014 and most write ups i find are from last Decade.

Background: I've got a 1999 Jeep Cherokee Sport & i've just added a Old Man Emu 2.5" lift. righter i did this i did my alignment and the guy said my Gearbox is shot. I'm noticing a bit of play and i intend to do some mechanical work to see if i can squeeze a few more miles out.

** I run stock tires and not anytime soon i plan or running 30s or maybe 31s.***

I'm alright with trading it out but i need something easy and hassle free as i'm gonna be doing the work with a friend. To be honest? i love going for a "one and done fix" but at this point i'm considering the Napa re-manufactured route at this point. I hit the wall last week with getting the lift on and i almost lost it.

So i guess what I have to know is what's the best bang for my buck. I know the brace is **** and I need to replace that but aside from that which gearbox should i go with and exact what parts will i need? Also, will i need any special parts outside of my own tools of which I've got all the standard stuff; Sockets, wrenchs, etc.

Thanks for the help. Look forward to the advice!

 

I'll be watching as my steering is a Nightmare & will be working on it soon. I've heard to kinda avoid the re manufactured napa steering boxes. I was going to get a reman. Durango (V8 non plow package) steering box & use mine as the core. Just a thought.

Edit:
I know that fritzthekatt (member) did a bunch of work to get his steering right. Look his build up for info.

 

reman is a terrible idea. reman durango box was one of my least favorite mods. besides, you don't need a durango box for 31's. just get another cherokee box from a junk yard and call it good.

 

I went with a autozone (im assuming reman) durango box and it made a world of difference turning my 33s, just turned my old one in as the core. Highly recommend, with 31s though you may be good just getting a factory box, but you know what they say, if it broke it probably needed to be upgraded anyway.

 

PSC

 

I've never had a issue with re built powersteering gear box's from autozone. For 30" tires even up to 33's you can use the stock replacement part number 7525. Its re built by a company called ATSCO. I've replaced two of these into my 1970 Monte Carlo since its a huge upgrade depending how you want it to feel I suppose since its a quick ratio and has the same amount of lock to lock turns. About 3 to 3 1/4. And a ratio of 12.7:1 gives it that tight sports car feel and compliments the Hotchkis suspension under it. Anyways point Is Its a good box don't be scared of autozone unless you're getting a alternator lol. And u have lifetime warranty too. While you're at it get 3 new bolts 7/16-14x4" since most of the time they'll snap off cause they have seized and crap and you'll need a Pittman arm remover which they also rent. Its a easy job an extra hand would help holding it up but you can do it alone. Oh almost forgot! Depending how corroded your powersteering lines are you might need new ones I used Pb blaster on them and they still managed to bend so 20 bucks for a new one fixed it. Size 18mm for the steering hoses.

 

50/50 mix of acetone & trans. fluid is better than BP & anything else on the market. So I've read. LOL.


I also read that a Camaro has a box that is 2 turns lock to lock. Not sure.


I'm sub'ed too 'cause I'm sure my stock box doesn't like turning 35's.

 

Exactly as I would do and I run 33's with a 4 1/2" lift.

 

Part number? Maybe some insight? i found PSC. dont need more

 

Okay, thats good stuff. I just clocked 23.2 MPG sooo i'm not trying to mess with the combo at this point!

Looks like ill give durango reman. a chance. Any particular brand better or worse?? I'll just go with NAPA's or Autozone's off the shelf, same model year Durango, 4wd, non plow.

Then i'll be

 

I just through a Reman XJ box from napa, works amazing, steering seems easier than before, even running 10psi on the street lol (I tend to forget to air back up, plus the ride is soo nice lol) I really went this route because I was broke at the time, so I was able to charge it to the shop account, plus whole sale pricing isnt bad. 40 for a iffy one from the JY or 110 for a warranted one from Napa

 

eh screw it. live and learn

here's some links you should read
http://www.nwjeepn.com/SteeringGear.html
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f51/du...-upgrade-3805/
http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=915103

 

Went with A Napa, MORE steering Box Brace and an upgrade box brace. Thanks for the help!!

 

A frame stiffener plate for the box is great also and cheap to go with the box brace.

 

Is the Durango box enough for 35s?

Running 33s offroad right now but will be upgrading to 35s all the time soon and don't want to change the steering box twice.