J-20 steering box installed...WOW!

BillR · Mar 10, 2004

I finished the swap tonight, thanks to some helpful tips and info. (Warthog, you da man!) :cheers:
The steering is almost effortless! I can turn my 32s lock-lock w/one finger EASILY!
It's a genuine J-20 box, so I needed a washer on each bolt to get the C-ROK inner plate cinched up tight. It's a nice swap and works great! :yelclap:

Jes · Mar 10, 2004

Where did you find a genuine J20 box? Is it new or a rebuild?

Jes

gearwhine · Mar 10, 2004

what is a "genuine j-20 box" as compared to say....a j-20 box?

_nicko_

Stick · Mar 10, 2004

gearwhine said:
what is a "genuine j-20 box" as compared to say....a j-20 box? _nicko_

DITTO

Jes · Mar 10, 2004

A lot of the auto parts stores sell a J20 box but all it is is a regular XJ style(lower pressure) box with four mounting holes.

Jes

Root Moose · Mar 10, 2004

Jes said:
A lot of the auto parts stores sell a J20 box but all it is is a regular XJ style(lower pressure) box with four mounting holes.

Jes

So you are saying this J-20 box is bolt in except for the extra mounting boss?

r@m

BillR · Mar 10, 2004

Jes said:
Where did you find a genuine J20 box? Is it new or a rebuild?

Jes

It's a used one from a 1980 J-20. I put new seals in the pitman shaft area.
I also have a Grand Waggy, so I got it from a guy that deals in FSJs.

BillR · Mar 10, 2004

Root Moose said:
So you are saying this J-20 box is bolt in except for the extra mounting boss?

r@m

That's almost correct. I needed a washer on each mounting bolt due to the body of the box being a little wider and having some interference with the CROK inner plate. Other than that, it's a straight swap. Get one after 1980, and the fluid lines will match up.

Root Moose · Mar 10, 2004

BillR said:
That's almost correct. I needed a washer on each mounting bolt due to the body of the box being a little wider and having some interference with the CROK inner plate. Other than that, it's a straight swap. Get one after 1980, and the fluid lines will match up.

Cool beans!

Thanks for that.

r@m

jeepme · Mar 10, 2004

so let me get this right if I have a 1981 J20 steering box it will drop right in and the lines will match and everything. My uncle has one wasting away

arty:

BillR · Mar 10, 2004

jeepme said:
so let me get this right if I have a 1981 J20 steering box it will drop right in and the lines will match and everything. My uncle has one wasting away arty:

Yep, bolts right up. Add a few washers at the mounting bosses, and you're good to go.

jeepme · Mar 10, 2004

BillR said:
Yep, bolts right up. Add a few washers at the mounting bosses, and you're good to go.

NICE !!!!! :thumbup:

gearwhine · Mar 10, 2004

jeepme said:
so let me get this right if I have a 1981 J20 steering box it will drop right in and the lines will match and everything. My uncle has one wasting away arty:

Check first, Some J-20 boxes have different hydraulic line fittings (old did not have an o-ring type fitting), and some have different steering shaft splines. I'm pretty sure you'll be fine with an 81, I think it's late 70's J-20 where they were different. But don't be bummed if it doens't fit right up...

. You CAN change the line fittings and the splined shaft supposedly though, so it's not a complete waste even if it doesn't fit.

I just finished rebuilding an 80 "genuine" :roll: j-20 box. I measured the splined steering shaft, and had an old XJ box fitting lying around, and they all appear to be good. Shafts are the same size, and fitting goes right in. It's going in once I order the ORGS/JKS SBS, and install it. _nicko_

Kittrell · Mar 12, 2004

gearwhine said:
Check first, Some J-20 boxes have different hydraulic line fittings (old did not have an o-ring type fitting), and some have different steering shaft splines. I'm pretty sure you'll be fine with an 81, I think it's late 70's J-20 where they were different. But don't be bummed if it doens't fit right up.... You CAN change the line fittings and the splined shaft supposedly though, so it's not a complete waste even if it doesn't fit.

I just finished rebuilding an 80 "genuine" :roll: j-20 box. I measured the splined steering shaft, and had an old XJ box fitting lying around, and they all appear to be good. Shafts are the same size, and fitting goes right in. It's going in once I order the ORGS/JKS SBS, and install it. _nicko_

I nabbed one from a 76', looks like I get to be the guinea pig.......... :dunce:

BillR · Mar 12, 2004

After driving with mine a few days, it almost seems TOO light and has too much assist. I'm sure it will be handy in the rocks and wheeling, but there's almost no road feel on the freeway. I tightened the play up a little, and I'll be getting an alignment tomorrow. There's so much assist that it doesn't return to center as well as it used to after turning a corner.

gearwhine · Mar 12, 2004

Yeah, another thing...the 80, I'm pretty sure has the "bad" steering ratio. It's much tighter than ratio of the other j-20 box, (whenever they started?). The lock to lock on it I think is almost one full steering wheel turn difference than the other, and the XJ box. You must have the quicker one which will probably make the feel even worse. _nicko_

BillR · Mar 12, 2004

That make sense. Lock to lock on this one's just over 3 turns of the wheel.
I wasn't aware that this box was a "bad" ratio. Are all of the later years like this? :huh:

gearwhine · Mar 12, 2004

It's not necessarily "bad", it's just not as highway friendly. I'm sure some people like it though. I do not know what years/models go with what ratios...just know two of the are out there. I can say the "newer" j-20's will have a better chance for the "better" ratio though. _nicko_

baseballneal86 · Mar 12, 2004

Would a J-10 box work? I know where I can get a free '82 J-10 that I could take the box out of.

Warthog · Mar 12, 2004

baseballneal86 said:
Would a J-10 box work? I know where I can get a free '82 J-10 that I could take the box out of.

the point of going to a J-20 gear box is that it has a larger bore and therefore produces more power to assist with steering.
the J-10 unit is almost identical to your stock gear box and would not gain you any performace.

J-20 steering box installed...WOW!

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