Red91Laredo
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Portland, Oregon
I need to replace my worn out steering box and was thinking of installing the Durango box that I see a lot of people suggest as an upgrade. I know this has been discussed to death, however, after searching and reading a bunch of threads on it I'm just confused. A lot of what I found was contradictory information, so maybe you guys can help clear some things up...
I mainly do NOT want to slow the steering ratio (i.e. increase number of turns lock to lock) or increase my turning radius dramatically. 'Maneuverability' due to a relatively quick steering ratio and a tight turning circle is one of the things I like best about the XJ. According to Napa's website the Durango box is a slightly faster ratio, but maybe someone who has actually installed one on an XJ can comment?
Will the Durango box increase my turning circle? I've read that it will and also seen threads where someone said it made no difference.
As far as steering 'feel' or effort, will that increase or decrease with a Durango box and the stock XJ pump? I've read that the Durango box will increase assist over the XJ box (making the steering 'lighter' / easier to turn the wheel) since it has a larger bore, and I've also read that without a different pump it will actually take more effort to turn the wheel, I guess due to the larger bore not getting as much fluid pressure over a given area or something to that effect... so again which is correct?
My main reason for wanting to upgrade is not so much to change the steering response or feel, but rather just to install something that will last longer. I know the Durango box is a bigger, stouter piece, but I don't know if that means it will actually last any longer when I'm putting street miles on it. Thoughts on that? Eventually I'd like to run 32's or 33's (max) and do more offroading, so a beefier steering box may come in handy some day, but I think it's mainly the fact that I commute so much that seems to be killing these XJ boxes in short order.
Finally, do you guys think it's worth paying a little extra to get a reman steering box over a used one? I've read that they usually slap new seals and a coat of paint on steering boxes and call them remanufactured, but the lowest mile used Durango box I could locate (91k) is $100, and I could get an A1 Cardone reman for $120, or an Atsco for $150. Thoughts?
I mainly do NOT want to slow the steering ratio (i.e. increase number of turns lock to lock) or increase my turning radius dramatically. 'Maneuverability' due to a relatively quick steering ratio and a tight turning circle is one of the things I like best about the XJ. According to Napa's website the Durango box is a slightly faster ratio, but maybe someone who has actually installed one on an XJ can comment?
Will the Durango box increase my turning circle? I've read that it will and also seen threads where someone said it made no difference.
As far as steering 'feel' or effort, will that increase or decrease with a Durango box and the stock XJ pump? I've read that the Durango box will increase assist over the XJ box (making the steering 'lighter' / easier to turn the wheel) since it has a larger bore, and I've also read that without a different pump it will actually take more effort to turn the wheel, I guess due to the larger bore not getting as much fluid pressure over a given area or something to that effect... so again which is correct?
My main reason for wanting to upgrade is not so much to change the steering response or feel, but rather just to install something that will last longer. I know the Durango box is a bigger, stouter piece, but I don't know if that means it will actually last any longer when I'm putting street miles on it. Thoughts on that? Eventually I'd like to run 32's or 33's (max) and do more offroading, so a beefier steering box may come in handy some day, but I think it's mainly the fact that I commute so much that seems to be killing these XJ boxes in short order.
Finally, do you guys think it's worth paying a little extra to get a reman steering box over a used one? I've read that they usually slap new seals and a coat of paint on steering boxes and call them remanufactured, but the lowest mile used Durango box I could locate (91k) is $100, and I could get an A1 Cardone reman for $120, or an Atsco for $150. Thoughts?
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