2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission 3rd gen steering gear

[MEhrenzeller]

I tried searching but couldn't find an answer. I think I read that a 3rd gen steering gear could be retrofitted into our trucks;something about using a 3/4" plate and to bolt the new box to, then drill and tapping for the frame. Is this true, and the input/output shafts and lines are the same?

 

[J.BURCHFIELD]

I have a 98 12v and changed the steering box to get rid of wandering. I went from a 4&1/4 turn stop to stop to a 3 turn from stop to stop. It made the truck steer like a car. If this is why you want to make a change it could be the answer for you. e-mail me if you want more info. -- email address removed --

 

[Curious Dave]

The deal is... You do need an adapter plate... You also need the correct pitman arm. I was working a short time with PSC on the conversion. We got the plate figured out but didn't get anywhere with the pitman arm. I have been busy with work and haven't had time to figure that part out. I also had to cut an inch and a half off of the tie rod that connects directly to the pitman arm. The problem I found with the pitman arm was that the '03 box uses a larger size sector shaft and the arm pitman arm does not angle to the correct location. I was going to have to bore out the tie rod hole and put the tie rod in from the bottom. I did not want to do this and have not gotten any further. I believe what a guy needs is the '01 pitman for the 4x4 with the '03 sector shaft hole, and the tie rod needs to go up instead of down. A guy could cut and weld... But with it being such an important part I really don't think this is advisable. There must be a pitman out there that will work. Let me know if you find it.

Oh yeah... If you have a DSS and you switch over to the '03 box... . you need to cut the plate off the DSS and reattatch it as needed for the '03 box. I do believe this is worth finishing. I think the conversion would be very nice.



Dave

 

[SHobbs]

What about adapting the rack and pinion steering to a 2nd gen?

 

[MEhrenzeller]

I may look into this more soon. The origin of this idea was the fact that while I was adjusting the bearing preload I got CGS( Curious George Syndrome) and decided to screw the adjuster plate off, which puked fluid, and came off the now know too me worm drive.



I wasn't sure about rebuilding it, and thought I might as well buy a 3rd gen box instead of a 2nd gen. But I got it all rebuilt, and other than having to use a close fitting oring that loosened it up, it works. Gotta find a kit with the right oring, or luck onto the right one, then I'll get 'er better then she was.



I have a PSC bos, with the DSS brace, and to be honest, I feel like I wasted money on the box, where I shouldh've just did the bearing preload on my NAPA box to get to the same size dead spot.



Sorry for the long wind. If and when I get anywhere with the conversion I'll write about it. I've been learnign to weld, and would think properly welded and heat treated would work out.

 

[TMills]

I was thinking about rebuilding my box with the info from this article...
Saginaw Steering Box Rebuild - Four Wheeler Magazine
If I had a 3rd gen worm gear would it fit in my '00 box. The goal would be a rebuilt box with the 3 1/4 turn.

 

[CumminsPower98]

I put a PSC 3 1/4 turn box on my truck and it didn't cure anything. Its not as tight as it should be. The best box I had for tightness was a new one from Dodge but that didn't last through my OTR driving I was doing at the time. I sure wish someone would just build a heavy duty box from scratch. I have done everything else in the system and they all helped but the box is the problem and I haven't found one I like yet.