Besides price, what is the difference between the AGR and PSC steering boxes?

Sub'd for curiosity. I need to replace mine very soon, I was leaning towards the Amazon rebuilt version. However these ones are brand spanking new and not reman'd. PSC probably has the edge on AGR

Also, to run a saginaw version on your 03-06 requires cutting out one of the mounting bolts and welding it to a new area on the frame. Its easy enough but for those without a welder that could prove to be a challenge

Chris said:

I'm curious as well, but honestly, for the price they charge (isn't it like $900 or more?), is it really actually an "upgrade"?

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I guess that is the next question...is the OP upgrading or going for stock? PSC offers a stock replacement that uses the stock reservoir for $200 which is what I was referring to
https://www.pscmotorsports.com/moto...rformance-replacement-pump-w-o-reservoir.html

Might be worth converting to a saginaw version then for the 03-06 owners!

Im tempted to buy one now, I wasnt aware they offered one until I looked at their website trying to find what the OP was looking at. Im getting tired of fighting my steering every day. These are brand new units too, no remans. Casted, built, the whole 9

Chris said:

For $200 you'd almost be stupid not to. Hell, I don't even need one, but that price is a really good price. The 03-06 replacement units are typically very, very expensive.

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After looking into it, I had linked just the pump. The actual steering box gear is not much cheaper compared to your original link
https://www.pscmotorsports.com/87-02-jeep-big-bore-xd-steering-gear-w-cylinder-assist-ports.html

I replaced my steering box about a month ago with a re-manufactured box from Napa for 150$. It works great, but mine is an 02.

From what I understood back in the day... The guy who started AGR or was a principal sold the company or something like that then started PSC later on. I have had both brand of boxes in various YJ, XJ & TJ Jeeps. For the most part they both worked out great. In the days when AGR was first sold or changed management, their quality was troublesome and I had three boxes from them before one worked without leaks. However that was a long time ago in the early 2000's and now I have one made just a few years ago from AGR on the TJ and it's been working out just great. So to recap, I've had two from AGR and one from PSC. The current project Jeep has an AGR in it that I pulled from my 1-ton XJ Cherokee I had before the current TJ. It works great and is on its 2nd vehicle now. Either will work fine. I also have the high output matching AGR PS pump unit as well and both are ready for a rock-ram cylinder assist (the box is tapped for ram assist hoses) at any time should I feel the need to upgrade again.

These boxes have holes tapped for four frame bolts even though Jeep only used three on TJ frames. I have welded a tab to the frame to utilize the fourth hole even though it's probably not required in all but extreme circumstances. I have a M.O.R.E. steering box brace and skid plate added to help the front end and box survive better and have run up to 38" tall tires with both the PSC & AGR boxes. The gear box is larger in size than the factory and the ratio is slightly different than the factory box but other than that, both brands are good. This is before I learned of the Durango/Dakota steering box swap upgrade so I went and bought a steering solution after breaking the sector shaft off on a stock box at the hammers years ago.......

A steering solution is the components and your overall approach to building your steering system in your Jeep.
This includes:

High output pump
Oversized heavy duty steering box
Pitman arm
Hydraulic hoses
Pump
External Power steering oil cooler
Tie Rod
Tie rod & steering ends
Drag link
Any high-steer, crossover kit or steering arms & the geometry changes if added to your axle
Any assist ram if you have one
* And I add the track bar because your steering works against the track bar
It is crucial your track bar is in good shape and up to the task of turning big wheels on your Jeep with no slop or death wobble may result.

astjp2 said:

So are they a direct bolt on replacement for the Mercedes box? I am just planning ahead if I have a box failure. I am also looking at fabricating a sector support that is just like they are using on the old Mopar power steering box, see article about the fix...

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No, not a simple bolt in affair.
You will have to modify the frame mount area to use a Saginaw style box in the 2003+ Mercedes style box equipped Jeeps. It's not hard but would require a skilled welder to do the job for you because to do it right you need to use a hole saw and drill out existing sleves', then re-weld them in the SAE pattern for the Saginaw box. Search around on the web, there are a few write-ups with photos showing how others did it. Wish that Daimler didn't change the boxes on Jeep because the Mercedes boxes are plain weaker and a lot more expensive to replace with no easy "Durango" upgrade paths etc. This and the "shovel" designed 2003-2006 skid plate cross members are two areas the later Wranglers suffered from Daimler bean-countitis. The upgrade wasn't really any upgrade after all in those cases. I have personally seen or worked on several that had catastrophic sector shaft failure or a severely hemorrhaging leaky box on the trail. Usually these are the guys pushing over 35" tires in the serious rocks. Many never have trouble but some undoubtedly will. Also if you are going to plumb for a power assist ram in partial hydro steering, it's better to do this with the Saginaw style boxes.

For that matter you guys with the 2003+ Wranglers aren't alone when it comes to POS steering box troubles, the newer JK and probably the JL Wranglers have steering box issues too. Those Jeeps are usually shod with 37-40" rubber on only a 2-3.5" lift but the leverage on the steering components causes all kinds of steering problems if not addressed up front.......

astjp2 said:

Then why are they specifically advertising these as a direct replacement boxes? vs the 2003 and older boxes as a separate box?

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Well then they must have a different cast housing specifically designed for the Mercedes boxes bolt pattern now. Back when I did my steering box there was no such thing out there. I am guessing that these companies must have responded to the need but I'll be willing to bet this is reflected in the price tag of a new AGR or PSC super box. I haven't really looked to see what they've done to work around the whole steering box pattern change. It must be a later workaround. What are the prices like? Are they substantially higher for a 2003+ box over a 2002 and down box? That may be the clue. In any event, the upgraded larger "competition or super" boxes are stronger and better than anything stock or rebuilt. I am still glad I upgraded all those years ago now. It was one less thing to worry about on the trail and I never had a failure or leak after replacing the box & pump together with new hoses and a plate style transmission cooler out of a ZJ Grand Cherokee with tow package. It stopped all the boiling oil shooting all over under the hood and making a total mess, not to mention the power part of the steering quits when the fluid becomes foamy and aerated. I was running 37" tires and needed all the help I could get!