Durango steering box

[Fsjcherokee]

At rockauto.com look at 99 Dodge durango steering boxes are 50.00 and will accept your core it was bolt in an made a difference

[HOrnbrod]

What difference?

[daking]

I don't see any for $60, I do see some core charges for about that amount.

[mvusse]

It's not quite a bolt in. The Durango box is too large for the stock spacer. I solved that with two 7/16" washers glued to each bolt hole.

[SBpunk]

You'll lose a chunk of your turning radius unless you break open the Durango box and modify it

[Tykerp]

You'll lose a chunk of your turning radius unless you break open the Durango box and modify it

Glad you said that. I was thinking about this swap but, using this jeep a lot on the trail that is very important to me. How much do you lose do you know?

[SBpunk]

Enough to be annoying in a larger parking lot. Even backing up it was a pain. If you have the skill you can modify it but I don't and not something I'd risk learning on. 

[Tex06]

I thought I had read on another forum that the Durango boxes had several different models and some would limit turn radius while others didn't. I'll try and find that again.... I've been meaning to look that up.

[benjy_26]

Just drop in a boneyard ZJ box if you want a beefier unit that won't limit your turning radius.

[gogmorgo]

The ZJ box also has a quicker ratio.

[Wiggilez]

Just drop in a boneyard ZJ box if you want a beefier unit that won't limit your turning radius.

 

I taught the ZJ's were the same other than the fact that some of them had quicker ratios.

[HOrnbrod]

^^  That's true. 93-98 ZJ boxes have a quicker ratio but are no beefier than the stock XJ/MJ box. Same piston diameter and housing...

[SBpunk]

Quicker ration and same size piston as XJ/MJ models but that will backfire when you try to push larger tires against rocks or deep mud. Daily driver its awesome though. 

[benjy_26]

Define larger tires. My ZJ runs 32's pretty darned well with the stock box.

[HOrnbrod]

Quicker ration and same size piston as XJ/MJ models but that will backfire when you try to push larger tires against rocks or deep mud. Daily driver its awesome though. 

 

Nothing's going to "backfire" using the ZJ box. Lots of guys wheel with this box. The ratio isn't that much faster; 14:1 (XJ)  vs. 12.7:1 (ZJ).

[SBpunk]

Referring to 35+ish tires. Even on 31's you put the steering wheel too hard the gear box is going to pop. Found out the hard way hahahaha 

[HOrnbrod]

Pilot error perhaps?   :yes:

[SBpunk]

Yeah sort of. First time on the mountain in Hawaii. Hadn't rained in a long time up there and the rock gave up on me. Had trouble winching it out and tried to strong arm it off the sidewall. Didn't work well but managed to finish the trail and get home. Was probably the most fun I've ever had. 

[benjy_26]

I wouldn't blame thw box in that situation, to be honest.

[HOrnbrod]

Si.