miked

I have been reading all the posts about upgrading to a Jeep steering box and have decided to try that. I lucked into a neighbor's wrecked 96 Cherokee (NOT A GRAN) for 25 if I remove it. I felt it was worth it..has high miles but no leaks and wasn't damaged in side impact. I degreed the sweep and it is 25-26 degrees which puts it at about 14:1. Do you guys feel this is enough of a change to be worth the trouble or should I wait until I find a 12:1 box? BTW what is the stock ratio for my 67? Feels like about 50:1. I kind of think I want to try it and once I get the rag joint and hose adapters then a future change should be easier. I'm not necessarily after auto-cross handling just a more modern feel. Kind of tough when you drive a rack/pinion car every day then get in the no-feel, no centering, finger driver! Thanks for opinions!

garys 68

Not sure if that box will work at all.
Just get one in that's listed in the 100 threads out there. They're only $50 at the yards.
Every thing you'll need.
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...t-my-64-a.html

miked

After more thought I think you are right...probably won't work (the input shaft has a flat on it since it used a u-joint instead of a rag joint). The Gran Cherokee is the way to go. Thanks for your input.

droldsmorland

Get yours rebuilt with the "modern feel" upgrade. Many have done so and have been very happy. Plus no adapting anything.... stock case... all bolts right back together.

MDchanic

The Cherokee and the Grand Cherokee used different steering boxes.

That one will not fit your car.

- Eric

jag1886

I still say call Power Steering Service in Missouri, they rebuilt my box and pump last winter and installed 12.7 ratio, revalved everything to work together and also rebuilt my rag joint.
They are a more expensive than putting Jeep parts on your Oldsmobile but it's done right and you are putting the same box and pump back on your car that you took off and it's as close to rack an pinion as you can get without rack and pinion.
I love mine, it works perfect and made my old car steer like a new car.

MDchanic

Are you saying that using an inexpensive used Saginaw box from a Jeep is doing it wrong?

- Eric

miked

Thanks Eric. Guess I got a box to sell now or use for core on a Grand box.

miked

I like this idea too except for the down time. How long did it take to get this done?

oddball

I was looking at using PSS, but went with a rebuild Jeep box. My only concern is whether or not the rebuilders did a good job. So I got an AC Delco rebuild, hoping they do at least a little more QA than Cardone.....
As with everything, there are a lot of ways to do it with a wide range of prices. And as is common, lower price = more risk.

RetroRanger

I picked up a rebuilT lifetime warranty lares unit from rockauto. It's a quick ratio form fit replacement and comes w a new rag joint. You use the original PS hoses and it bolts right in lares is a US company....it's about $200 , less if you return the core....look up your car on rockauto and see the options lares 974

I've got about 1500 miles on it and I like it the feel is very good not far from my rack and pinion DD.

I would recommend it, looks like new,no leaks, comes w new rag joint,lifetime warranty US company

miked

Thanks Retro, I'll definitely look into that. I appreciate the info!

MDchanic

Each of us has his own priorities and concerns, all of which are valid, but, for the sake of comparison, I installed my junkyard JGC box over 2 years ago, and it's worked flawlessly ever since.

- Eric

Greg Rogers

That's neat.. never knew you could do that. Another thing to keep a eye out for at the boneyard...

garys 68

Over 2 years and 5000 miles on my Jeep box. Steering gear is pretty reliable, most of the 40 year old Olds boxes still work. Guessing the Jeep will last at least as long. Also, it's pretty easy to swap if it goes bad. Weighing all that, I went with the $40 used box.

miked

OK, got a GC box (pd code) out of junkyard, no apparent leaks but pretty rusty pitman shaft. What size is the pitman nut? I can't measure close enough to tell. My 1 1/4 socket is almost big enough and 32mm is close and my Sears or Har Frgt don't stock anything larger. I've soaked it good in blaster but so far haven't been able to get the nut loose, using large crescent or monkey wrench using 3 ft of pipe for leverage. Afraid to use heat, don't want to melt the seal. I'm almost to the point of using air chisle but with my luck I will mess up the threads. It's hard to hold the box in a vise or by hand to get any force on it. Any ideas? Thanks!

MDchanic

I don't recall the size - I just had something that fit in my toolbox.

I would recommend an air wrench to get this off. Also, if you mount it up on the car first, you'll have it well secured to put plenty of leverage on it.

- Eric

miked

Yep, gonna try the air if I can find the correct size socket. I'm hoping to get all the mods and cleaning done on it before I remove the one on car. Thanks Eric

miked

Got it! Used short pipe wrench with 3 ft cheater....now to get the p-arm off..

RandyS

I fought with one of those recently. Ended up going to my local O'Reilly's and rented (bought temporarily) a big Pitman Arm puller. Had to get out the big breaker bar to turn the bolt to finally break it loose............

miked

I know what you mean...the last one I did I gave up on the puller working so just turned bolt all I could then let it soak in blaster for a while then a couple of licks with a 5lb sledge and it popped off.

oddball

The nut is 1 5/16"

miked

Hey thanks much oddball. I definitely want the right size to reinstall it and torque..I appreciate your response!

gglow

Went to put pitman arm on box only to find new box has three alignment
gaps while the arm has four. Do I have the wrong box?
This was a rebuild from Autozone. Any input welcomed.

Gerry

MDchanic

The Pitman arm shaft of the Jeep Grand Cherokee steering box has four "big splines," located evenly every 90°.

You got the wrong box, or they rebuilt that box wrong.

That's why some of us advocate going to the junkyard - at least you know what you're getting.

- Eric

RandyS

Rock Auto sells an exact replacement, no adapters needed, and it comes with a rag joint.

Fun71

I saw Rock Auto had some "fast ratio" boxes and was wondering if anyone had used them. Seems like a good deal if the ratio is right.

RandyS

Yes, that is what I ended up buying and I really like it. Plus some of them don't require a core.

Fun71

What ratio box did you get?

RandyS

I got the 12:1 box and it feels about the same ratio as my DD.

RetroRanger

right here fun71

Fun71

The Rock Auto site shows the 974 is a 10:1 ratio:

LARES Part # 974 Power Gear; Reman One of our most popular parts
10:1 Fast Ratio; Budget (3 bolt mount; 3 - 3-1/4 turns; Includes Steering Coupling Assembly)

No big deal, I didn't know what ratio constituted "fast ratio" as I have seen 10:1 up to 16:1.