2003-2006 Steering Gear Box

Anyone out there used one of these 03-06 Wrangler TJ Steering gear box's in an early CJ5? They seem to be shorter and more compact than the earlier Saginaw Boxes
Endurance Steering Gear (Power Steering) 7516 (autozone.com)

 

can't tell if is reverse rotation but the grape vine I hang with each fall does not favor them. They prefer the big old Saginaw. The link shows it as a ford /Mazda box
Power Steering Conversion Kits | Herm The Overdrive Guy

 

It's similar, but not the same. It's not reverse rotation, when you turn the input shaft to the right, the rear facing pitman arm moves to the right which is correct for crossover steering. This one doesn't say ford on it. I got it reasonable and local, so I guess I'll mount it and see.

 

It is a Mercedes built steering box

 

T

Thats interesting!!

 

In the world of tjs its not a bad steering box just expensive to buy and rebuild. Im pretty sure the mounting pattern is different from the earlier saginaw boxes used on 97-2002 tjs so you may not find an off the shelf mounting system available. I always tell people to not reinvent the wheel and just because you have something doesn't make it a good swap candidate. The saginaw box has been used and has proven to be cheapish and reliable.

 

Auto Zone has rebuilt boxes for $179. That's not too far out there.

 

Use it! The only possible drawback I see is the 3-hole mount, but they seem to do just fine in lifted TJs.