Calgary Jeep Association

4x4 Related Groups => Tech Talk => Topic started by: apex on September 11, 2006, 07:49:16 PM

Title: TJ steering box swap
Post by: apex on September 11, 2006, 07:49:16 PM

who's done one?
How long did take you?
Cost w/core?
Got any tricks/tips?
Anyone here done the '98-'99 Dakota/Durango box swap? Any fabbin or adapters needed?

Title: TJ steering box swap
Post by: BlackYJ on September 11, 2006, 10:01:30 PM

Rackman on this board did this swap.  I guess it is a direct bolt-in (yeah right :shock: )  I was thinking doing it to my YJ

Title: TJ steering box swap
Post by: GiS on September 12, 2006, 08:41:53 AM

Durango bolts right up.

Title: TJ steering box swap
Post by: apex on September 12, 2006, 02:37:07 PM

and you've done this GIS? Is it really as simple as it sounds?

Title: TJ steering box swap
Post by: GiS on September 12, 2006, 03:11:09 PM

Havent bothered myself, have seen plenty of write-ups and pics on the net tho!

It does have a different size bore, so steering will feel "different".

Title: TJ steering box swap
Post by: apex on September 12, 2006, 10:43:46 PM

found these, thought I'd share
http://jeepin.net/forum/showthread.php?t=21773
http://jeepin.net/blog/2005/12/01/installing-a-durango-steering-box/

Title: TJ steering box swap
Post by: BlackYJ on September 13, 2006, 07:25:28 AM

So greg are you going to do this swap?  I was thinking about it because i thought was box was starting to go, but now it is fine.

Let us know how it turns out

Title: TJ steering box swap
Post by: Jafar on September 13, 2006, 12:22:32 PM

Ya, I'd like to know how it turns out. Mines starting to go as well, ever since i put on my Rubicon lift

Cheers
Tyler

Title: TJ steering box swap
Post by: yjcanibul on September 13, 2006, 12:31:36 PM

can I ask whats the indicator it needs replacing - excessive play , grinding etc ?

Title: TJ steering box swap
Post by: Jafar on September 13, 2006, 12:46:53 PM

well, perhaps thats not the problem, just tryin to narrow it down i guess, but mines seems to have a really loud/strong thump when turning even when on jack stands in the front and if you feel for vibration it seems like its coming from the steering box, make sense at all?

Title: TJ steering box swap
Post by: apex on September 13, 2006, 07:33:01 PM

mine leaks, bad. everyone's leaks a little but mine is a gusher. Instead of putting a band aid solution back on the jeep, I figure I will put a more stout box in. Maybe I'll get more than 2 years and 30000k's out of this one. I'm not even considering hydro until I go bigger.

Title: TJ steering box swap
Post by: Bnine on September 14, 2006, 06:47:41 PM

Yeah it will bolt right in Gregg. Its a really common saginaw box. They are used just about every where. Chevy's, fords, cj's, yj's, yadda yadda.

The bolt pattern is the same. Its the internal bore that changes with some, and why people like the durango.

So all you'll need is a pitman puller, pair hammers to pop the draglink and a few hand tools to pull it out. Dont forget to undo the small retainer bolt around the colum shaft that goes into the box.

Everything hasmaster splines, the in and the out, so you cant really screw it up.

Tyler, your gears might be worn. There is an adjustment to reset the play out of them, but whether or not yours is to far gone is hard to tell without looking at it.

Dont try and do that adjustment without a proper write up in front of you. They are touchy.


HTH

Title: TJ steering box swap
Post by: apex on September 14, 2006, 09:35:55 PM

that definately helped. Thanks Bill.

Title: TJ steering box swap
Post by: Jafar on September 15, 2006, 07:35:26 AM

cool bill, i can try and find that wright up, i do sit in front of a computer for 8 hours a day.

I did find a 97 Steering Box at Jeep Stuff for $150

Thanks

Title: TJ steering box swap
Post by: 4004ever on October 04, 2006, 02:52:48 PM

anyone source the durango box locally?

Shaun