Which Saginaw Power Steering Box

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

I was under the impression that the fewer lock to lock turns was better?

 

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.

 

Old time are you willing to part with the that box?

 

This is the one I bought. Cardone Reman® 27-6537 - Remanufactured Power Steering Gear Box its for many cars and light trucks. 4 turns lock to lock, GM pitman and jeep up to YJs fit it.

 

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

 

I have a variable ratio box from an '80s wagoneer. 4 bolt mount. It uses metric fittings

 

That is the one I used in my 62 CJ5 F134. Works great and not expensive.

 

This is what I have as well... a pre-1980 Saginaw 800. Steering feels just right.

 

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.

 

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.

 

o-ring fittings or not i'd run a cooler in the return line, esp with 35s. just my 2c

 

You should have a cooler installed on the return line.
It is a must to have a consistent viscosity.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.