No more pinky steering.

[eaglefreek]

I'm sure the engineers at Saginaw were real proud of themselves when they developed a steering box that takes little to no effort to turn the tires. I however like a steering with a little more resistance. Based on some internet research, I found out a steering box from 93-98 Jeep Grand Cherokees have a similar steering radius, but with a faster ratio and  greater effort. I removed a steering box from a 98 Jeep Cherokee at the junkyard a couple months ago. Mine was loose and leaking. I finally had the time to tackle this. It is a direct bolt in. Everything externally is the same. I am very satisfied with the results. Steering seems stiffer like a sports car and I don't feel like a drunk weaving down the road. It might not be for everyone, but if you are looking for more steering effort, it seems like the way to go.

[mudkicker715]

Did the same to my 86. i was almost certain that was an 89xj. just saying there are more compatible years

[eaglefreek]

Did the same to my 86. i was almost certain that was an 89xj. just saying there are more compatible years

For those that don't know, XJ= Cherokee ZJ= Grand Cherokee from 93-98
It's my understanding that the XJ box is a ratio of 14:1 where as the ZJ has a 12.7:1 ratio. The XJ box would be an improvement over the Eagle's factory variable box but not as much as the ZJ's. The XJ box would be a happy medium between the two.

I just want to make it clear that some make think it would be twitchy going in a straight line down the highway. It is quite the opposite. I don't know if it was because my old box was worn out, but it is much easier to drive down the road. I encountered a heavy cross wind while driving today and usually it would make my car move all over the lane. It was quite easy to keep it straight with the ZJ box.

[vangremlin]

Thanks for the write-up Eaglefreek.  Egg to you, only one more to go to reach the century mark!

[83Eagle!]

Thanks for the write-up Eaglefreek.  Egg to you, only one more to go to reach the century mark!

Not anymore he doesn't.

[IowaEagle]

That is excellent news.  If you think Eagle steering is light -- try a Concord, they are really really light and extremely sensitive.

[priya]

That is excellent news.  If you think Eagle steering is light -- try a Concord, they are really really light and extremely sensitive.

I don't suppose getting that light concord steering would be as simple as swapping in a Concord power steering pump?

[IowaEagle]

Probably not, its all in the steering box I believe.

[mach1mustang351]

I wish I would have known this a month ago.  I just put a reman gear in my Wagon a couple months back.  I would have gotten one of these instead... darn it

[Obscurity]

So.....am I right in my suspicions that switching out the steering box might help with the wander my Eagle has? The control arm bushings, pitman arm etc where done a while back and the front end was given a really good bill of health, but the wander has always been there. My husband is particularly alarmed by it and by my statement of "its always done that!" lol. Of course a cross wind makes it incredibly evident, though I'm slightly used to it (for unknown reasons I get more freaked out when our Landcruiser gets caught in a crosswind..I guess I just trust the Eagle more).

So a direct bold in! How long did it take you roughly, start to finish? I'm thinking come spring that might be a good one for me to attempt if its relatively quick and easy! I'll likely get the local junkyard looking for one pretty soon here so I have the part ready to go!

And thank you for posting on this!!!

[eaglefreek]

My front end parts seemed to be in good working order also. I haven't had the front end aligned in the 4 years that I have owned it though. My did wander bad and no longer does. I have to reiterate that the steering is quite a bit "stiffer". While in a parking lot situation is where it mostly will show up, however I think it is a good trade off for the better feel while driving. I did it over 2 days because I did it after work and had limited light. I would guess it took a 2 hours tops. I could probably do it in an hour now that I know what to do.

You'll  need a large socket for the nut holding on the pitman arm, I believe it was a 1 5/16", a pitman arm puller, 5/8 socket for the 3 bolts holding the box to the frame, a 12 point 7/16" socket for the pinch bolt for the shaft clamp, and a 16mm open end for the line going into the box. If the rag joint is questionable this is the time to replace it.

It would be easier if you remove the lower radiator hose but I did it without removing it.

[recomer]

Any issues with hoses or do the Eagle hoses connect to the newer steering box without issues?

[eaglefreek]

Any issues with hoses or do the Eagle hoses connect to the newer steering box without issues?

Everything is identical between the steering boxes as far as lines, splines, thread sizes and bolt pattern.

[Obscurity]

My did wander bad and no longer does. I have to reiterate that the steering is quite a bit "stiffer". While in a parking lot situation is where it mostly will show up, however I think it is a good trade off for the better feel while driving. I did it over 2 days because I did it after work and had limited light. I would guess it took a 2 hours tops. I could probably do it in an hour now that I know what to do.

Sweet, sounds like it is worth doing! I love the steering right now for in town driving, but having about 20 mins of highway driving just to get to town is pretty hair raising. Dealing with stiff steering in town will be worth it!
I'll be sure to give myself at least a full day on a weekend in the spring and I should be able to get it done without having to really stop. Going to need to get my mitts on the tool for the Pitman arm, but that should be doable too.
THANKS!!!

[txjeeptx]

Nice to know. I suspected the steering boxes from XJs and Grands were similar. Maybe that's the reason the blue SX/4 I have seems to have heavy steering - it could have a box swapped in from another application -  but it could be a weak pump or slipping belt.