Triple-XJ
07-21-2005, 08:21 PM
My old worn out box :eek: SPRUNG a LEAK :eek: !
About 8 months ago I had Pat over at Bench Works build me a steering pump for my XJ.
From what I was told by Pat, "The stock XJ pump is High Pressure BUT, I will tweek it a little more for you".
He also suggested a Large Piston Box would work well with the new pump, and it would turn the 35's better in the rocks with the 18:1 ratio VS stock XJ's 14:1.
My stock steering gear box was alright at the time so I passed.
Well after pounding on the stock steering gear for the last 8 months it was getting hard to turn when at an idle and then finaly sprung a leak.
http://members.cox.net/geno-zoni/J-20%20Steering%20Gear/Old_Steering_gear.jpg
So this is what I did.
I found an O-Ring style J20 steering gear box from a newer J-series 3/4 ton truck and took it to Bench Works for a good fixin.
If you look for one BEWARE!!! Some are Flare Nut. I'm not sure of the years maybee some here is and could post them. It may be worth it to look into getting one from NAPA or something.
I didnt have them drill for RAM ASSIST, I didnt want to spend another $100 :rolleyes: YET
The only thing that I had to do to make the large piston J-20 box fit was shim it off the frame 3/16" and needed longer grade 8 bolts.
Thats it.
I filled her up with SYN. Fluid and let her idle to operating temp. before turning the wheel.
here are some pics.
I had to SHIM the SHIM, if you know what I mean.
http://members.cox.net/geno-zoni/J-20%20Steering%20Gear/Steering_gear_Shim.jpg
http://members.cox.net/geno-zoni/J-20%20Steering%20Gear/J20_Box.jpg
If anyone does this mod on a XJ, save youself a problem down the road and brace your steering box like the first pic and re-enforce the uniboby with the C-rock or something like it. My unibody broke at the steering box some time ago and I had to Fish Plate it. Its held up well since.
So far the thing steers like a dream. Better then my 98 XJ with 31's.
BUT,
Let me drive her around some, wheel her a bit, then I will give an update.
About 8 months ago I had Pat over at Bench Works build me a steering pump for my XJ.
From what I was told by Pat, "The stock XJ pump is High Pressure BUT, I will tweek it a little more for you".
He also suggested a Large Piston Box would work well with the new pump, and it would turn the 35's better in the rocks with the 18:1 ratio VS stock XJ's 14:1.
My stock steering gear box was alright at the time so I passed.
Well after pounding on the stock steering gear for the last 8 months it was getting hard to turn when at an idle and then finaly sprung a leak.
http://members.cox.net/geno-zoni/J-20%20Steering%20Gear/Old_Steering_gear.jpg
So this is what I did.
I found an O-Ring style J20 steering gear box from a newer J-series 3/4 ton truck and took it to Bench Works for a good fixin.
If you look for one BEWARE!!! Some are Flare Nut. I'm not sure of the years maybee some here is and could post them. It may be worth it to look into getting one from NAPA or something.
I didnt have them drill for RAM ASSIST, I didnt want to spend another $100 :rolleyes: YET
The only thing that I had to do to make the large piston J-20 box fit was shim it off the frame 3/16" and needed longer grade 8 bolts.
Thats it.
I filled her up with SYN. Fluid and let her idle to operating temp. before turning the wheel.
here are some pics.
I had to SHIM the SHIM, if you know what I mean.
http://members.cox.net/geno-zoni/J-20%20Steering%20Gear/Steering_gear_Shim.jpg
http://members.cox.net/geno-zoni/J-20%20Steering%20Gear/J20_Box.jpg
If anyone does this mod on a XJ, save youself a problem down the road and brace your steering box like the first pic and re-enforce the uniboby with the C-rock or something like it. My unibody broke at the steering box some time ago and I had to Fish Plate it. Its held up well since.
So far the thing steers like a dream. Better then my 98 XJ with 31's.
BUT,
Let me drive her around some, wheel her a bit, then I will give an update.