Durango Steering box upgrade

[RAT]

I did this upgrade 6 years ago. It has served me well and has been rode very very hard. But the Durango box gave up the ghost. The output shaft has a lateral deflection of over 1 inch. I'm guessing it was a combination of 37" tires, the Currie steering parts being heavier and not flexing as much, and just the overall treatment I gave it during that 6 years. So I don't know if this amount of service life is a good or bad thing, but I really expected it to last longer. So for those that are thinking about doing this upgrade, take into account the things I mention above and then decide if you want to go the fairly cheap route with the Durango box, or go ahead and spend the $$$ for a PSC or other high end box. Hope this helps someone.

[jonah]

That is pretty interesting. I wouldn't have expected a steering box to go that bad that quick even with a hard life on the Rat. Where was the box sourced from originally?

[RAT]

That is pretty interesting. I wouldn't have expected a steering box to go that bad that quick even with a hard life on the Rat. Where was the box sourced from originally?

Phi Zappa Napa...

[brokenujoint]

I had the same set up except on 35's. Used an ARB up front and I think the steer binding that happens with the ARB killed my box as well. Mine only lasted about 2 yrs before it blew a seal and spewed fluid all over the place. Bearings ended up toast as well. I've since just gone back to a stock box and plan to do an hydro assist soon. The durango box IMO is over rated.

[TOOLPUSHER]

What year jeep do you have that box in ?Was the durango box a bolt on up grade or did it take some work to get it in?

[Roger]

The Durango steering box has served the great 88 well so far but then again I'm only running 33" tires.

[curtis]

My 2nd durango box is going bad. It is leaking at the pitman arm. It does have a bang mark at the bottom of the case at the PM arm, so maybe it just bent the seal a little at impact. So I will check it out and let you guys know.

[aw12345]

Curtis, Fred has a whole hydro assist setup in his garage, that he wouldn't mind parting with. You should be able to make that work

[RAT]

Curtis, Fred has a whole hydro assist setup in his garage, that he wouldn't mind parting with. You should be able to make that work

Curtis,
May as well come over to the dark side now. You know you will eventually.... Just make sure that snap ring is installed correctly

[Mike]

Steering boxes die.

I am on my third one (on 35's or less) and based on an older RAT recommendation, I switched over to the Durango box. I have a Lifetime warranty on mine though. Forget Napa, go to Autozone for the things that you expect to die.

That said, the Durango box is not all that it is cracked up to be. It is far more sensitive on the freeway than the OEM box, and the OEM box has the same lifetime guarantee at Autozone.

I'm just not a fan of the 'upgrade' at this point. My feelings are to go Big! (PSC or the like), or stay with the OEM. My opinion could change, but this is where I am at today.

[aw12345]

I am rocking a stock tapped steering box and a ram and you see me pretty much like this on the trail or the street on 40's.
A ram takes a lot of the strain on the pitman arm and sector shaft in the steering box.