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Which Saginaw Power Steering Box

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Brislin06, Feb 24, 2021.

  1. Feb 24, 2021
    Brislin06

    Brislin06 Member

    Pennsylvania
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    Oct 23, 2017
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    I’m lookin to find out some later years for a Saginaw power steering box that would work with the conversion. Im going to use the advance adapters kit. They suggest 60s 70s full size gm cars. They are getting hard to find being that A lot of the yards around me crushed that stuff A few years back when scrap went up. On market place I did find a box from a 73 nova not sure if that would work? Juts needs some suggestions from Donor vehicles that would be a little newer. As long as the Pittman arm advance adapters supplies with the kit would fit.
     
  2. Feb 24, 2021
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
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    This is a good read that tells you why they suggest 60s/70s full size cars. It’s all about the combination of splines, fittings and mounts.

    How To Identify Your Steering Gear Box - Lee Power Steering

    Ideally, you want a 4-hole mount with a high turning ratio. These were common in shorter cars like Monzas, Cherokees, etc...

    If the seller can’t tell you how many turns lock-to-lock it is, take a pair of vice grips and test before you buy. 4+ turns lock-to-lock is ideal for our short jeeps.

    Also, make sure the box spins the correct direction for your application. Some were mounted behind the axle and spin in reverse orientation.
     
  3. Feb 24, 2021
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    The Wagoneer guys use the steering gear from a 4x4 Blazer or S10 or Bravada pretty often. These 4x4 gears have a slower ratio than the regular S10 gear, and generally can be used as-is without any servicing. The newer generation of gears is reputed to be much more durable than the 60s-70s gears. They are also variable ratio, providing easy highway and low-speed operation. The downside - they have 3 bolts. I understand the 4-bolt cores are getting scarce, and you may have trouble finding an old 4-bolt gear.
     
  4. Feb 24, 2021
    oldtime

    oldtime oldtime

    St. Charles,...
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    I have a genuine Jeep “76” box from a 1970’s cj.
    It’s a Saginaw 800 series which in my opinion is the best box you can get.
    It can be fully rebuilt like new for about $50.
    I have just one available that a guy did not claim.
     
  5. Feb 24, 2021
    jackdog

    jackdog Member

    Finger Lakes NY
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    Jul 16, 2013
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    I was under the impression that the fewer lock to lock turns was better?
     
  6. Feb 24, 2021
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
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    I guess it’s personal preference, but a quick-ratio box makes for a scary, twitchy ride at speed. The shorter the wheelbase, the less steering input it takes to achieve the same turn.
     
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  7. Feb 24, 2021
    Brislin06

    Brislin06 Member

    Pennsylvania
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    Oct 23, 2017
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    Old time are you willing to part with the that box?
     
  8. Feb 24, 2021
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    USA
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    homersdog, Play Dead and ITLKSEZ like this.
  9. Feb 24, 2021
    oldtime

    oldtime oldtime

    St. Charles,...
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    Yes it’s available.
    I have a good contact for sourcing them.
    I bought it for a guy but he did not follow up on it.
    PM me for pics and price.
    I can ship as is or remove unwanted pieces to save weight.
    Uses Duralast kit 8522
    Some really good Saginaw 800 rebuild videos on youtube
     
  10. Feb 24, 2021
    73 cj5

    73 cj5 Not ready for the junkyard yet

    Clinton, Mississippi
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    I have a variable ratio box from an '80s wagoneer. 4 bolt mount. It uses metric fittings
     
  11. Feb 24, 2021
    Primer Coat

    Primer Coat New Member

    Ohio
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    47v6 likes this.
  12. Feb 24, 2021
    boopiejones

    boopiejones I can’t drive 55

    California east bay
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    This is what I have as well... a pre-1980 Saginaw 800. Steering feels just right.
     
  13. Feb 25, 2021
    Ol Fogie

    Ol Fogie 74 cj5 304, 1943 mb

    Southern...
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    x2 on the 4+ turns lock-to-lock. The gear I used was from a 79-80 cj that is 4.25 turns, works great much less twichey the 3 turn I had was too quick, had to be careful at speed not to oversteer. You can use a shorter pitman arm and also lessen the quickness if needed.
     
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  14. Feb 25, 2021
    52M38-73CJ5

    52M38-73CJ5 Member

    Wenatchee WA
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    Nov 11, 2020
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    In my 73 I have a fast 4 bolt box out of a 70s Cadillac Eldorado. The piston is quite a bit larger than most boxes and it has a different spline count than the slower boxes. It is stable on the freeway and turns my 35" tires with a palm or one or two fingers. The line connections use the inverted flare rather than O rings. Its my understanding the O rings can fail when getting hot on the trail.
     
  15. Feb 26, 2021
    Madeline3b

    Madeline3b Optimized for analog

    PNW
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    o-ring fittings or not i'd run a cooler in the return line, esp with 35s. just my 2c
     
  16. Feb 26, 2021
    52M38-73CJ5

    52M38-73CJ5 Member

    Wenatchee WA
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    You should have a cooler installed on the return line.
    It is a must to have a consistent viscosity.
     
  17. Feb 26, 2021
    Brislin06

    Brislin06 Member

    Pennsylvania
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    Not sure about the cooler yet. I have a 2500 Chevy and I removed the cooler a while back becAuse it was leaking and I have not seen any difference.
     
  18. Feb 26, 2021
    PieLut

    PieLut Member

    Glendale, Arizona
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    Jul 20, 2010
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    Look up a steering gear for a 1975 Jeep J10.
    Rock Auto has a 4 bolt power steering gear for $103 with a $125 core. Part #276537. This is the box I currently have and it’s 4 turns lock to lock. Works great.
     
  19. Feb 27, 2021
    scott milliner

    scott milliner Master Fabricator

    Seattle Wa.
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    I have a three bolt quick-ratio box. It's not an issue at high speeds as long as your steering is nice and tight. I can do 70 comfortably.
     
  20. Mar 5, 2021
    oldtime

    oldtime oldtime

    St. Charles,...
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