I am looking to put a stronger steering box into my truck. It's 4x4 and I'm running 37" tires. The problem is when i get into a rut or off into the rocks, the stock box just doesn't have the juice to turn the tires where I want to go.

I have looked into the PSC stuff and its nice but pricy!!! I have also thought of doing hydraulic assist, but I would like to start with a solid power steering box.

I read somewhere that an old 4-bolt Chevy box has a much better steering ratio than the stock Dodge 3-bolt box. The chevy box is in the neighborhood of 4-1/2 turns lock to lock and it has four frame bolts.

If anyone has information or has done this swap let me know.

Thanks and WHEEL ON!!!

 

The old chevy 4-bolt also used to twist the frame to the point that it either broke or required reinforcement to a cross-member....this may be an indication of its strength, but technically all the power comes from the pump. The hydraulic actuator should turn until something gives/breaks if it is supplied with enough pressure. I doubt swapping steering boxes would have much of an effect...esp for how much trouble it will be to get it to work. You would be better off getting a stronger pump or upgrading to hydraulic assist...which coincidentally comes with a larger pump.

 

check out this site. http://www.offroadsteering.com/ if you want somethin quality and reliable, be ready to pay for it.

 

Someone posted a name of a company a while back and I can't find it now. I didn't bookmark it either. It was something like Red Bird or Big Red or something along those lines.
I did find this but have no idea of quality or customer service.
http://www.discountsteering.com/addt.../82-00239.html

 

Found it!
www.redheadsteeringgears.com
Also, the power steering pump and at least the center drag link is the same on the 1500 and the 2500 with the 5.9l. The steering gear is also the same between the 1500 and the 7500 gvw 2500. The 8800 gvw 2500 has a different gear. I believe the only difference is that the 7500 gvw gear is a variable gear where the 8800 gvw gear is not.

 

Thanks for the info. This is a long term build so i am not in any hurry. Future plans for this truck are a set of gen-3 powerwagon axles, a dana 300/np 231 crawl box, and some major skid plating.

The steering is a POS right now. I have already blown one pump. My box leaks so bad I dont want to wheel it right now because i don't want to drop oil on the trails. I was thinking the old chevy box has about a 17:1 gear ratio and that might help.

I was talking to a jeep guy who said some Durangos came with a heavy duty box on snow plow optioned vehicles??? Again thanks for the info. I am in the parts gathering stage right now, but when the truck goes under the knife i will post the build.

 

I believe our boxes are 14:1. A 17:1 box would not be fun on a trail. I've not heard of the Durango box but, I can't imagine it is going to be any stronger than a box from a 1500 or 8800 gvw 2500.
I'm not sure about your pump. I'm still on my origional. You can get a pump made for hydro assist and use it on regular steering. It would give you a little more pressure and make things a little easier.
If you're going to do that kind of work on the bottom-end, you're going to need to do something different for the steering anyway. You might look at hydro-assist.

 

I just read one of the stickies on pavementsucks.com and they recommended swapping out the 1/2-ton steering box with the 1-ton...I'm not sure if this will help you turn, but I'm sure the components are beefed up and won't break as easy. They also mentioned the 1-ton box was about half the cost of the half-ton...go figure...

http://www.pavementsucks.com/forums/...hp?topic=39133

 

I got my ratios backwards and a 17:1 would be better on a trail.
My understanding is a 1 ton box will not be any stronger. It is just a non-variable gear.
I asked Red Head about their boxes for my truck and driving and warranty for larger tires and offroad use and this is what they replied back with.

"We do have a gear box in stock for your 95 Dodge 1500, the cost would be $276 exchange. I would recommend with the usage this truck is getting, to go with an 18:1 ratio. There are a couple things we do to these gears that no one else does, we custom fit every worm an piston assembly with oversize ***** and tighten up the bore press fit to eliminate as much side to side movement as possible in the sector shaft. If the gear is damaged in an accident or impact of hole, log etc. then of course it wouldn't be warrantied, otherwise off road is fine."

 

Here's a follow-up to my last post. I asked Red Head Steering Gears owner Harvey about steering box braces, recommended steering pumps, and using ATF vs power steering fluid. Here was his response.
"ATF or power steering fluid, either one is fine. I wouldn't give you any positive or negative either way. I think the braces are a good idea. As far as the pump goes, I don't know who might have a good heavy duty, I would just stay away from A1 Cardone."