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steering box mounts

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by CJ Rick, Oct 10, 2010.

  1. CJ Rick

    CJ Rick New Member

    does anyone know if the mounting brackets are the same for a manual and a power steering box?
     
  2. DREDnot

    DREDnot Not new to JEEPS

    My 74 is the same.
    Just removed a PS gearbox and replaced it with a manual.
     
  3. timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Only different in the number of bolts. Manual is 3 bolts and power is 4. Either type of gear will bolt up to either type of bracket, but you only get 4 bolts with a power gear and power bracket.

    Jeep only lists one bracket for both applications. I presume if you ordered one in the day, you'd get a 4-bolt type. (I did, and that's what I got).
     
    Last edited: Oct 11, 2010
  4. pathkiller

    pathkiller Member

    I bolted a power steering box to my manual bracket. The holes match but there's only 3, so the 4th hole of the ps box isn't used. This causes some to say it's weaker as a result, but many factory PS boxes only use 3 bolts, so it's not a huge concern to me. If in doubt you can add a steering box brace to the opposite framrail for a little more strength. Not a bad idea regardless,as frames often crack from the steering stresses.
     
  5. CJ Rick

    CJ Rick New Member

    Thanks for the responses... I thought I would have to cut off the mounts on my donor box... but alot of heat and an easy out got the last of my bolts out. so now I just have some cleaning of the mounts to do for my swap.
    Anyone see a reason to replace the stock mounts for one of the aftermarket heavy duty one piece units? ;)
     
  6. timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Depends on the year. AFAIK there is no aftermarket replacement available for a '72-75.
     
  7. jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    only if you plan on being in the BIG rocks
    otherwise, driving style is the determining factor
    lots of us have p/s with homemade mounts and have had no problems.
     
  8. Adding a steering brace makes a big difference if you plan on wheeling it.
     
  9. 73cj5

    73cj5 Member

    Another option is to add an assist cylinder. This would remove force from the steering box and frame rail and distribute it on a better place like the axle.

    To add the 3 bolt vs 4 bolt issue, i have a 4 bolt waggie box (More powerful than stock cj) on a 3 bolt mount for many years with no issues.
     
  10. timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Mmm. Sorry to be contrary, but the Wagoneer and J-10 gear is the same as the CJ gear, AFAIK. There is no advantage to swapping one for the other. Certainly the J-20 gear is different and larger. They all have 4 bolts. Jeep did not use any 3-bolt power steering gears.
     
  11. 73cj5

    73cj5 Member

    Humm... i pritty sure i got the one with the large bore, i could have the j20 box then... The j20 has variable ratio and the larger piston bore correct?
     
    Last edited: Oct 14, 2010
  12. timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    The J-20 gear is physically larger - the diameter is the most obvious difference. Maybe that's the piston bore you mean?

    Not sure if any Wagoneers got a variable ratio right up to the end ... kind of doubt it. I know my J-10 is not. Haven't driven the J-20 enough to be certain, but I suspect it is not either.
     
  13. CJ Rick

    CJ Rick New Member

    lots of good info.. thanks:beer: