Chunk of steel in front of steering gear

[Anthi4078]

I was putting a set of tow hooks on my truck today, and had to pull the steering gear to get access for a couple bolts. In front of the gear up against the core support was a big hunk of steel held down with 1 bolt through the bottom. It wouldn’t fit back in with the new bolts so I just left it out. I can’t find any mention of it anywhere online so I was just curious what the point of it is?

[fiatslug87]

It’s the steering box spacer, put it back.

#30

[watchamakalit]

I've never seen that piece. is it a non power steering only piece?

[Gjeep]

Stopped in HO era.. that's a piece of Renix history.

 

[Anthi4078]

Ah so it does exist on paper! Mine does have power steering so I guess both types got it. 

[fiatslug87]

3 hours ago, Gjeep said:

Stopped in HO era.. that's a piece of Renix history.

 

Interesting, it still shows up in the 91-93 parts manual, #42.

[Gjeep]

A guaranteed nope. Neither my 91 or 92 MJ had it and I just replaced the 91’s steering box a couple months ago. 

[Gojira94]

Confirmed present on a 96 XJ in my local boneyard a little more than a year ago. Question came up when I showed it in my build thread. Disappears from the parts catalogs in 97.

[watchamakalit]

Hmmm.  I just changed my steering box and never encountered this spacer....