xjwanted

JeepnFM I think I have read that write up, and while the Durango box is a good upgrade the AGR seems to be a good choice as well. The only problem I hit is that I still have to find a Durango box, like I said Advanced Auto Parts seems to have **** quality Reman's and one from a junkyard could be a bust if it to turns out to have play in it, or develops play within a few months. I feel like I could pay the $400 and get an AGR, which would work fine for my stock Cherokee and still work well even when and if my lift kit goes on.

Jeepnfm

Try rockauto.com, you can get good deals on there, never had an issue nor has anyone I known to use them.

Jeepnfm

It's really your choice, I ran a OE replacement in mine with 31's, 4" lift, and wheeled deep mud, rocks, dunes, everything. It worked fine, it's just luck of the draw I guess, I only upgraded because I had a buddy at the parts shop. I'd scrap the factory box brace for a better unit though and do a thorough flush on the lines and pump either way you go. Good luck.

Click-Click-Pull

I replaced my steering box with a reman from Orielly's about four years ago and it crapped out right after the warrenty expired but even before then the box was crap but that was just my experience with A-1 reman box's. I did alot of research also and came across this one day: http://www.carsteering.com/
Installed there heavy duty box last summer and could not be happier. No BS I just can't say enough about how well it drives and the ease of steering even with 32's and the price and service was top notch. I don't have any experience with the Durango box swap so I can't comment but have heard good things as long as you get the right one.
And also get a Crok spacer replacement and bolt kit.
Have a buddy help from above to get the steering shaft lined up before mounting the box to the frame.
Note the position of the pitman arm so you get it installed in the correct teeth on the sector shaft. Also use lok tight on the steering box bolts.
After the lift you'll need a drop pitman arm. I'm at 3.5in and have a 1" drop arm and everything lines up perfect. With luck and a great helper it's an easy afternoon job. Hope this helps and Good Luck! And help the next guy...

gary s

I tried adjusting the one in my '98 Grand with no luck.I later put one in from NAPA and have had no problems with it.

EVILXJ

Just got my durango box this weekend. Going on when I install my winch bumper and Jcr spacer

xjwanted

If you don't mind my asking, about how much did your remanufactured box set you back?

I'm now trying to decide between two options that I have come up with, either pick up a remanufactured Durango box for a '99, 4x4, V8, W/O Snowplow from NAPA or yeah probably NAPA, OR I can purchase an AGR SB2 from 4 Wheel Parts, and get the extended warranty with it which would cover me for a year or two.

xjwanted

Alright well it looks like I will be going with the 98-99 Durango V8, 4x4, W/O snowplow option for my new steering box. For several reasons:

1. Bigger Beefier steering box
2. The ability to turn bigger tires with ease later on down the road if I install a lift kit
3. Cost effectiveness of buying a remanufactured box from Advanced Auto Parts (An estimated $200 for a Durango box vs. $400 for an AGR SB2 upgrade box)

These are the last of my questions/worries:

1. Will the Durango box work on a stock Cherokee with no lift?

2. How do I identify a plow/nonplow edition? (Someone on here mentioned something about 4 bolt holes being Plow edition, but if someone could give me a definite answer I would appreciate it)

3. Something that I saw on Jeepforum.com was a user who mentioned that since the Durango has a 2.9 lock-to-lock vs. the Cherokee's 3.5 lock-to-lock, could this result in oversteer, or a potential accident, or is this just going to be a new feel from the steering box, I guess I mean could the fact that less input means more output cause an accident due to oversteer or over correction?

4. Anyone who has done the Durango box swap, is it twitchy when driving on the road or on the highway, or is it nice and firm?

5. On his write up 99XjLove says that some of the boxes are hit and miss in regards to turning radius, have any of you guys a better understanding of what this means or experienced any problems with this?

xjwanted

Anybody able to answer the questions in the last post. I still need to find out if anybody has put a Durango box on a Cherokee with NO lift.

Jeepnfm

I have not, but it will be fine, the dimensions are not big enough to change anything, just use the pitman arm from your stock box. And make sure that you space the box from the rail correctly. Other than those two issues it will be fine. Just getting used to the different ratio of the box will be new to you. The plow package box is the one you DO want. 1998 Dodge Durango with plow package steering box. You won't have to drill anything, but the 4th bolt is a bonus if you feel up to it. I used a piece of cardboard and made a pattern of the box, placed it on the outside of the rail and drilled away, worked great.

gary s

I don't remember the exact price but I don't think it was over 150.Hardest part was getting the pitman arm off

dukie564

I did a writeup on this a while back when I did mine.

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f67/du...houghts-84046/

To answer your questions:

1. Yes it will work on a stock cherokee.

2. No way to tell that I know of unless you pull it yourself. Parts stores group them into one big pile - which is why people (jeepnfm I'm looking at you) say that the plow version is correct or that there was no change - this is incorrect. The correct box is from a 98/99 Durango 4x4 with either v8 engine (5.2L or 5.9L), non-plow package if it's a 98. A 99 box will always be a non-plow version.

3. This is not a concern at all. It's simply easier to turn. The ratio is variable so small steering corrections is not a sudden change.

4. It is not twitchy at all.

5. I have not experienced this, but it could be from the same reason noted in #2. The plow box has a different radius than the non-plow version to counteract the plow on the front. This is also the reason you do no want the plow version as your turning radius will take a crap.

xjwanted

Well all of my questions have been answered and I have made my decision. I will be going to O' Rileys Auto parts to pick up a 1999 Dodge Durango V8, 4x4, NON-snow plow steering gear box later this spring. My local 4 Wheel Parts store mentioned to me that they get all of their steering boxes from a local O' Rileys, so thats what I'm going to do. The only thing I'm concerned about right now is the swapping of the boxes to avoid the core charge, mainly because I slipped and mentioned that I will be putting this on my Cherokee, I guess I'll just go to a different local O' Rileys

Oh and by the way, I was told that lares and Fenco suck as far as their boxes go, and that Cardone was the way to go, of course that could just be the O' Rileys sales person's way of getting me to buy Cardone. Any thoughts?

Jeepnfm

Huh, well I ordered the plow package box, turning radius didn't change. I pointed out an excellent write up a few times during this thread (looking at you Dukie564). As far as I am concerned the write up has all the goods in it. Good luck with the swap.

Juan4you

Do you remember the size nut for the pitman arm. Apparently my wrenches aren't big enough. Greatly appreciate it! I'm just hearing about the Durango box...big help when running 35's???