When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I completed the whole change in less than 2 hours for less than $150. It performs very well. It's like driving a new car.
There is a guy selling a bolt in box (Carhex) for $200 including the core charge but I don't know why you'd spend that when a box from Rockauto is $106 + $26 shipping, the Borgeson adapters are $14.25 + $5.95 shipping, and the new rag joint is $16.13 (shipping was included in the steering box) = $168
Also, while I'm here updating, this thread has pretty much everything you could possibly want to know about these swaps, if you're patient enough to read through it.
FWIW, always inspect parts before installing. I've been through a few different parts stores JGC power gears with various problems - most of them just leak.
The last one was an Atsco part, 51-7525 @ Pep Boy's, where the rebuilder installed the wrong steering stops. It had the limited swing, about 74 degrees, instead of the full A-body and JGC swing of nearly 90 degrees. This is easy to check since the major spines on the output shaft are 90 degrees apart. Turn all the way one direction, mark where a major spline lines up with the body. Turn all the other way, and the next spline should hit that mark.
I thought something wasn't quite right with that box - parking was strangely difficult. Then trying to do a U turn with oncoming traffic convinced me to take it off. Sure enough, no bueno.
The next replacement, same part number, has the correct 90 degree swing.
Thanks. I found a 130k mile one on Craigslist for $25 that I'm picking up Saturday. It will keep me from crawling around in the mud at the junk yard and if it's a POS it will satisfy my core charge from Rock Auto.
Did you keep your stock pump and just get new lines and fittings? I just ordered a 96 box, but am seeing a ton of mixed reviews online about the pump setup and lines. Some guy used a pump from a 05 Silverado...Guessing the pressure is different than the older pumps.
Not many people with 68's out there, so I figured I would ask!
Did you keep your stock pump and just get new lines and fittings? I just ordered a 96 box, but am seeing a ton of mixed reviews online about the pump setup and lines. Some guy used a pump from a 05 Silverado...Guessing the pressure is different than the older pumps.
Not many people with 68's out there, so I figured I would ask!
this is what I ended up doing. I used the $25 box for the core.
Originally Posted by allyolds68
I completed the whole change in less than 2 hours for less than $150. It performs very well. It's like driving a new car.
There is a guy selling a bolt in box (Carhex) for $200 including the core charge but I don't know why you'd spend that when a box from Rockauto is $106 + $26 shipping, the Borgeson adapters are $14.25 + $5.95 shipping, and the new rag joint is $16.13 (shipping was included in the steering box) = $168
since doing this I’ve heard a lot of positive feedback about Carhex (hector carillo). His box is a direct bolt in and you don’t need the Borgeson adapters.
Last edited by allyolds68; September 29th, 2019 at 05:24 PM.
I picked up a gearbox from the junk yard yesterday out of a 97 Jeep Grand Cherokee. I was looking at all the models that share the Dorman 31011 rag joint and found a couple 80s GM trucks at the yard that had some good rag joints on it. I pulled 3 and they all had 17 spline count. The gearbox I bought has 30 spline count. How come every thread/site that goes over the JGC a-body swap recommends Dorman 31011 as a rag joint? Are there different versions of the gearbox shaft?
[QUOTE=yeahbuddy;1208393]I picked up a gearbox from the junk yard yesterday out of a 97 Jeep Grand Cherokee. I was looking at all the models that share the Dorman 31011 rag joint and found a couple 80s GM trucks at the yard that had some good rag joints on it. I pulled 3 and they all had 17 spline count. The gearbox I bought has 30 spline count. How come every thread/site that goes over the JGC a-body swap recommends Dorman 31011 as a rag joint? Are there different versions of the gearbox shaft?[/QUOTE
I just did the swap on my 72 Supreme and that's the part number that I used on a 97 JGC box. I ordered everything from Rock Auto.
Arthur
I picked up a gearbox from the junk yard yesterday out of a 97 Jeep Grand Cherokee. I was looking at all the models that share the Dorman 31011 rag joint and found a couple 80s GM trucks at the yard that had some good rag joints on it. I pulled 3 and they all had 17 spline count. The gearbox I bought has 30 spline count. How come every thread/site that goes over the JGC a-body swap recommends Dorman 31011 as a rag joint? Are there different versions of the gearbox shaft?[/QUOTE
I just did the swap on my 72 Supreme and that's the part number that I used on a 97 JGC box. I ordered everything from Rock Auto.
Arthur
That version is only 17 spline. The Lee Engineering rag joint is 30 spline including the flattened section. I ended up ordering a Lares 200 for $30. That is 27 spline count with a flattened section.
Got my steering box installed today with the Lare 200 rag joint. The issue I am having is they call for 11lbs torque on the bolts and nuts. When I tighten down the locking nuts it came with, I cant get it to torque to 11lbs it just ends up crushing the rubber.
Is the 11lbs specs for the steering columns that have the plate that go across? Am I good with getting it down right before it starts to crush?
Last edited by yeahbuddy; January 12th, 2020 at 07:46 PM.
So the only problem I ran into with my swap was the bolt for the top of the box was too short. The two on the bottom worked fine but the top bolt was too short. Anyone know what thread/length bolt to purchase?
Just drove the Cutlass after the Grand Cherokee steering box was installed, simply amazing transformation. Thanks to all for their imput
Glad to hear this thread is still helping people out 10 years later!!!
I recently did this swap again into my current project 68 chevelle... used a $120 parts store remanufactured JGC box this time. First one was bad (zero resistance center to full Left turn), but took it back got a new one w/o hassle (lifetime warranty) and 2nd one is great!
I was again blown away at the immediate improvement! Best swap ever! Glad I didn't blow $500+ on a AGR box.
Thread is still helping. I just completed the Grand Cherokee swap in my 1970. Used the seat kit and Rag joint from Lee (super to deal with). I am happy with the results.
May 7th, 2016, 08:14 AM
