77 Wag steering box ?

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J20Hunter1
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Joined: Fri Dec 04, 2020 10:59 am
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77 Wag steering box ?

Post by J20Hunter1 »

I know this has been discussed before . I have a 1977 Grand Wagoneer Steering box is loose and leaks so I thought I would upgrade to a better on road feeling gear unit .Could I get your opinion on the best bolt on unit /non hydro boost Thanks
Dennis Ridgeway 1977 Wagoneer 360/auto , 1969 J3000 Gladiator , 1983 J20 360 /auto <1978 Cj 5 Golden Eagle
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tgreese
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Re: 77 Wag steering box ?

Post by tgreese »

No opinion - other than a replacement from an auto parts store or you local rebuilder. Plenty of old posts here and on the mother ship
https://www.bing.com/search?q=site%3Afs ... ering+gear
https://www.bing.com/search?q=site%3Aif ... ering+gear
CHange the search terms to get more results.
Tim Reese
Maine beekeeper's truck: '77 J10 LWB, 258/T15/D20/3.54 bone stock, low options (delete radio), PS/PDB, hubcaps.
Browless and proud: '82 J20 360/T18/NP208/3.73, Destination A/Ts, 7600 GVWR
Copper Polly: '75 CJ-6, 304/T15, PS, BFG KM2s, soft top
GTI without the badges: '95 VW Golf Sport 2000cc 2D
Dual Everything: '15 Chryco Jeep Cherokee KL Trailhawk, ECO Green
Blockchain the vote.

Topic author
J20Hunter1
Posts: 103
Joined: Fri Dec 04, 2020 10:59 am
Location: Central ILL

Re: 77 Wag steering box ?

Post by J20Hunter1 »

Thanks I have read a bunch of post on this .I was looking for info on a S10 or Gm type to help with wondering Thanks for info I know you are one of the best guys with info on here
Dennis Ridgeway 1977 Wagoneer 360/auto , 1969 J3000 Gladiator , 1983 J20 360 /auto <1978 Cj 5 Golden Eagle
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Yeller
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Location: Rogers County Oklahoma

Re: 77 Wag steering box ?

Post by Yeller »

As of late I have been buying new Borgeson steering boxes. I just ordered a box for an XJ to put on my truck. They have a great track record and really are not anymore expensive than a quality rebuild.
The bus I ride is so short it is a yellow Smart Car full of squirrels, monkeys and clowns.

1970 J2500 Resto Mod
https://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewt ... 12&t=21395

1974 Bronco “Broncno”
https://classicbroncos.com/forums/threa ... st-3411909

Topic author
J20Hunter1
Posts: 103
Joined: Fri Dec 04, 2020 10:59 am
Location: Central ILL

Re: 77 Wag steering box ?

Post by J20Hunter1 »

Thanks for info . Would you guys go with newer year unit and use adapters or find one with flare fittings
Dennis Ridgeway 1977 Wagoneer 360/auto , 1969 J3000 Gladiator , 1983 J20 360 /auto <1978 Cj 5 Golden Eagle
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Yeller
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Location: Rogers County Oklahoma

Re: 77 Wag steering box ?

Post by Yeller »

I use adapters and make my own JIC flare fitting hoses. It’s common to see reman boxes with adapters as well. So adapters are fine.
The bus I ride is so short it is a yellow Smart Car full of squirrels, monkeys and clowns.

1970 J2500 Resto Mod
https://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewt ... 12&t=21395

1974 Bronco “Broncno”
https://classicbroncos.com/forums/threa ... st-3411909

Topic author
J20Hunter1
Posts: 103
Joined: Fri Dec 04, 2020 10:59 am
Location: Central ILL

Re: 77 Wag steering box ?

Post by J20Hunter1 »

Thanks by the way I have a 69 J3000 same color as yours
Dennis Ridgeway 1977 Wagoneer 360/auto , 1969 J3000 Gladiator , 1983 J20 360 /auto <1978 Cj 5 Golden Eagle
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Yeller
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Location: Rogers County Oklahoma

Re: 77 Wag steering box ?

Post by Yeller »

J20Hunter1 wrote: Mon Jun 13, 2022 5:51 pm Thanks by the way I have a 69 J3000 same color as yours
Awesome! We like pics 8-)
The bus I ride is so short it is a yellow Smart Car full of squirrels, monkeys and clowns.

1970 J2500 Resto Mod
https://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewt ... 12&t=21395

1974 Bronco “Broncno”
https://classicbroncos.com/forums/threa ... st-3411909

Topic author
J20Hunter1
Posts: 103
Joined: Fri Dec 04, 2020 10:59 am
Location: Central ILL

Re: 77 Wag steering box ?

Post by J20Hunter1 »

69 J3000 4.jpg
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Dennis Ridgeway 1977 Wagoneer 360/auto , 1969 J3000 Gladiator , 1983 J20 360 /auto <1978 Cj 5 Golden Eagle

Topic author
J20Hunter1
Posts: 103
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Re: 77 Wag steering box ?

Post by J20Hunter1 »

Been in a barn 15 miles from me for years It is all original 6 cyl auto
Dennis Ridgeway 1977 Wagoneer 360/auto , 1969 J3000 Gladiator , 1983 J20 360 /auto <1978 Cj 5 Golden Eagle
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Yeller
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Re: 77 Wag steering box ?

Post by Yeller »

That’s awesome! Love the rhino grill and original paint, 2 things on my shopping list I didn’t come up with.
The bus I ride is so short it is a yellow Smart Car full of squirrels, monkeys and clowns.

1970 J2500 Resto Mod
https://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewt ... 12&t=21395

1974 Bronco “Broncno”
https://classicbroncos.com/forums/threa ... st-3411909
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tgreese
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Re: 77 Wag steering box ?

Post by tgreese »

If you buy new, I'd think you could get the gear with flare fittings, like the original. I don't see any advantage to changing it. If you buy a reman, insist on an exact replacement. Apparently cores for the 4-bolt gears that Jeep used are scarce, and the reman plants may substitute the more common 3-bolt housing.

This is a 232 with power steering? As I recall, the pump is on the passenger side of the engine, and the hoses are very long.

partsbookGr10L12 (600 x 435).jpg

If the high pressure hose you have is ok, you probably want to use it. I expect the only source for a replacement would be custom-made from a hydraulics shop. The low pressure hose you can buy in bulk, and reuse the end.

Handsome truck. I'd be proud to own it.

From the rear axle, this looks like a J-2500, 5000# GVWR. At 5000#, you avoid the unobtainable 12"x2" brakes of the heavier models.
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Tim Reese
Maine beekeeper's truck: '77 J10 LWB, 258/T15/D20/3.54 bone stock, low options (delete radio), PS/PDB, hubcaps.
Browless and proud: '82 J20 360/T18/NP208/3.73, Destination A/Ts, 7600 GVWR
Copper Polly: '75 CJ-6, 304/T15, PS, BFG KM2s, soft top
GTI without the badges: '95 VW Golf Sport 2000cc 2D
Dual Everything: '15 Chryco Jeep Cherokee KL Trailhawk, ECO Green
Blockchain the vote.
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devildog80
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Re: 77 Wag steering box ?

Post by devildog80 »

That is a nice truck.

Show quality right out of the barn :)
'81 CJ5 Base, 258 I6, MC2100, T176 4 spd, 300 TC, D30 Front NT, 3.31, 2-Piece AMC 20 rear NT, 3.31, 4" high arc spring lift
'84 Grand Wagoneer, 401 V8 (.030 over), MC2150 HA Comp, 727 auto, Selec-trac NP229, AMC 20 REAR - D44 FRONT - WT 3.31, 4" high arc spring lift
Rather be driving, than waiting to be modified

Topic author
J20Hunter1
Posts: 103
Joined: Fri Dec 04, 2020 10:59 am
Location: Central ILL

Re: 77 Wag steering box ?

Post by J20Hunter1 »

Thanks, It washed up nice . Seat had a cover on it since new Tgreese I am working on my 77 Wagoneer 360 engine same thing with exchange parts .I think someone posted to use a gear from a 70's Chevy Monza Thanks guys
Dennis Ridgeway 1977 Wagoneer 360/auto , 1969 J3000 Gladiator , 1983 J20 360 /auto <1978 Cj 5 Golden Eagle
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Yeller
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Re: 77 Wag steering box ?

Post by Yeller »

FYI the flare fittings are an adapter from the factory, you can take an easyout and pull the flare seat out and screw the later oring fitting in its place. so unless your going for concourse, museum quality restoration it really doesn't matter. There is no right or wrong way to do it.

I currently have a box spec'd for a 77 Wagoneer on my truck now, and it is 3 turn lock to lock, it has the adapters for flare fittings. Its a cheap parts store unit and its just not quite right, I had it, I put it in to see how it works, it is better than the completely worn out leaking unit that was on it. It can be better, which is why I ordered a new Borgeson unit.
Last edited by Yeller on Tue Jun 14, 2022 11:16 am, edited 1 time in total.
The bus I ride is so short it is a yellow Smart Car full of squirrels, monkeys and clowns.

1970 J2500 Resto Mod
https://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewt ... 12&t=21395

1974 Bronco “Broncno”
https://classicbroncos.com/forums/threa ... st-3411909
User avatar

tgreese
Posts: 7118
Joined: Fri Jun 08, 2012 6:31 am
Location: Medford MA USA

Re: 77 Wag steering box ?

Post by tgreese »

Oh ... I missed that we changed vehicles.

What do you want for the Wagoneer? There are variable ratio steering gears, and that may be what you are thinking of. I could comment on this, but I don't have any first-hand knowledge. From what I recall, the usual donor for these is a 4x4 S10 or Blazer or Bravada. The 2x4 gear will work too, but the 4x4 gear has more turns lock-to-lock which seems better for vehicles with larger, heavier tires. These gears have only 3 bolts, so you will be giving up some structural strength. Their advantage include the variable ratio, and they generally do not wear out like the older gears, and do not need to be rebuilt. Direct from the junkyard into your Wagoneer. IIRC they have o-ring type fittings, but you can buy the hoses for a Grand Wagoneer and they will fit. The high pressure port on the pump takes an adapter which converts to o-rings, and you can pick that at the junkyard - just unscrews and screws into your pump.

SHould not yak like this - work to do!
Tim Reese
Maine beekeeper's truck: '77 J10 LWB, 258/T15/D20/3.54 bone stock, low options (delete radio), PS/PDB, hubcaps.
Browless and proud: '82 J20 360/T18/NP208/3.73, Destination A/Ts, 7600 GVWR
Copper Polly: '75 CJ-6, 304/T15, PS, BFG KM2s, soft top
GTI without the badges: '95 VW Golf Sport 2000cc 2D
Dual Everything: '15 Chryco Jeep Cherokee KL Trailhawk, ECO Green
Blockchain the vote.

Topic author
J20Hunter1
Posts: 103
Joined: Fri Dec 04, 2020 10:59 am
Location: Central ILL

Re: 77 Wag steering box ?

Post by J20Hunter1 »

Thanks Tim for help. I was looking for one to help with road handling a little better than stock
Dennis Ridgeway 1977 Wagoneer 360/auto , 1969 J3000 Gladiator , 1983 J20 360 /auto <1978 Cj 5 Golden Eagle

Topic author
J20Hunter1
Posts: 103
Joined: Fri Dec 04, 2020 10:59 am
Location: Central ILL

Re: 77 Wag steering box ?

Post by J20Hunter1 »

Holy cow ! What a difference the new gear box made on steering . Thanks for the help
Dennis Ridgeway 1977 Wagoneer 360/auto , 1969 J3000 Gladiator , 1983 J20 360 /auto <1978 Cj 5 Golden Eagle
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