Steering box recommendations?

[Warren99]

Any good recommendations for a stock steering box? I'm on 32's, don't do any super crazy wheeling, it's just that mines always leaked, and steering still feels a little sloppy despite everything but the box being replaced, so I'm ready to just get a new steering box thats stock but I'm trying to avoid accidentally getting some chinese one or something bad I guess. I see a few options on rock auto all varying in price, and a similar story on oreilys.

 

Please don't recommend a junkyard durango box. I've heard they aren't actually really stronger, and that you still need a spacer to make it work, and the steering box brace I have yet to actually install may not work over a durango box.

 

Thank you!

[ghetdjc320]

PSC big bore box. I’ve been down this rabbit hole far too many times. A new psc box is the way to go 

[Warren99]

4 minutes ago, ghetdjc320 said:

PSC big bore box. I’ve been down this rabbit hole far too many times. A new psc box is the way to go 

Thats $1000, I just wanna spend $200-$300 on an oem style. If I find out the hard way that the stuff I do with it is too hard for it, then so be it I'll upgrade then. But until then, I'm currently running the old sloppy and leaking stock box and just want a refreshed one that isn't like some cheap chinese one.

[Pete M]

I went with a rebuild from an auto parts store.  after discovering it refused to bleed, I swapped it out under warranty and the next one works great.

[ghetdjc320]

1 hour ago, Warren99 said:

Thats $1000, I just wanna spend $200-$300 on an oem style. If I find out the hard way that the stuff I do with it is too hard for it, then so be it I'll upgrade then. But until then, I'm currently running the old sloppy and leaking stock box and just want a refreshed one that isn't like some cheap chinese one.

Consider this though, I have gone through literally a dozen steering boxes over the years. Junkyard OE, Lares, Redhead, and all other manner of rebuilt boxes from the parts stores. I can tell you, it's like trying to win the lottery with those rebuilt crap boxes. Best case scenario, I got about 6 months out of a rebuilt Lares box from O'reillys. At some point, your time surely has to be worth more than the cost of a new PSC box. I know PSC advertises it as their "big tire" box, but it works with smaller tire sizes exceptionally well. PSC has also rebuilt boxes for XJ's and I did run one of those successfully. At least for me, this truly has been one of those "cry once" scenarios. I simply do not believe that a steering box can be correctly rebuilt if they re-use or try to rebuild the valve circuit at all. I think they all use some cheap aftermarket parts kit that just doesn’t work. Bearings and seals, sure. But not the valve circuit. 

[AZJeff]

My experience with rebuilt or “remanufactured” steering boxes has been ZERO percent good for multiple vehicles and from multiple vendors (Oreillys, AZ, Rock Auto, you name it.

 

I tried to get a PSC during the height of the ‘Rona virus, and they were back ordered for months.   I gambled and baought a new one from Crown.  I have been quite pleased, and it’s an exact clone of a Saginaw box, minus the Saginaw logo cast into the housing.  It’s not cheap ($400+), but it works exactly as designed, and I run 32’s.

[ratrapp]

i used e redhead box on a customers 96bronco and it was only marginally better than the worn out stocker.used a psc replacement on my old 95 zj with stock tires and no lift and was disappointed as well.they all worked and didnt leak but didnt seem to offer much better steering feel.

[watchamakalit]

I went through 2 "reman" a1cardone units before buying a new lares unit.  Don't waste your time on reman units, verry difficult to find a good one. 

[rokinn]

I had mine rebuilt by a local specialty shop.  Had the worm gear changed to a ZJ gear.  10 years ago and still going strong.

[ThatJeepGuy]

I'm on your dreaded durango box, on my 3rd box now seemingly every 3 years they develop enough of a leak and its time for a rebuilt. 1st box was an all new unit from ACI, 2nd and now this 3rd unit i just swapped have been from the zone- autozone. I have a buddy who's been rebuilding them for years go through them each time and remove the spacers to get the full travel back. Also replace anything that's suspect. I've had fine luck with all of mine. 3 years on 39" stickies and locked 1 ton axles I think is fair. Your jeep on 32's, just stick to a factory box that has a warranty and also do as you plan with a steering box brace.

[Htchevyii]

I'm running a new Durango type box from Vital All terrain after 3 A1 Cardone remans. So far so good. I've heard that Blue Top are also good, better than Red Head who has slipped in quality.