Advice on a 2006 steering gear box

[06TJ35's]

I was planning on doing a Durango steering box swap on my 06 TJ to save $$$$$. Today I visited a shop called Jeep Solutions in Long Beach, CA they have been working on Jeeps for 20 years.(First time Going)
I asked him about the swap he said he has just "heard" about it never done it. I figured they would do this on the regular guess not. He looked at me if I was kinda stupid for doing the swap and quoted me about $450(without box) to do the work make a hole in the frame, steering shaft etc. Thats way to much! I would do all the work myself but I do not know how to weld He recommended me to buy a rebuilt 06 steering gear box from any of the local auto parts (napa, autozone, oreilly). The guy at Jeep solutions said he has installed the rebuilt boxes 03-06 in Tjs and no problems from his customers. I do not know to believe him or not. I trust you guys the "Jeep Gods" I call the people on the threads. I know the 03-06 rebuilt boxes are not so good from reading on the forums. Im running 35's do daily driving and offroad every chance I get.

So the ADVICE I need is...
Do I just buy a rebuilt box 03-06 Box?
Should I look into another shop? (Figured they were a Jeep shop and would be less $ there)
Can I do all the work install the washers bolt all 3 bolts up and take it locally to get the washers welded?

Side Note: Im trying to save $$$ so whatever is less money I would rather go that route.
Thanks in advance. I also have bought the Durango box already but I can return it.

 

[Chris]

Check this thread out:
Dodge Durango Steering Gear Retrofit FAQ

The Durango gearbox will only work on 97-02 TJs without modifying your frame (and I'm not entirely sure what that entails).

The Mercedes gearbox used in the 03-06 models is very expensive, however, it will bolt right in

If it were my Jeep personally, I would just shell out the money and put in a rebuilt (or new) Mercedes gearbox, which is correct for your 03-06. I don't think anyone has yet to find a suitable replacement for the Mercedes gearbox on the 03-06 models. All of the aftermarket ones (i.e. Cardone) are crap from what I hear.

The factory part number for the 03-06 gearbox is RL088993AD.

A quick Google search yields this as being the cheapest one out there:
http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5337789113&icep_item=232052871115

So a rebuilt one may be the way to go.

 

[06TJ35's]

Cool thanks for the information I think I would go that route and buy the one in your link.
Never came across that rebuilt box in your link so thanks again. I wanted to avoid autozone napa etc. and you just did that for me.

 

[Chris]

Cool thanks for the information I think I would go that route and buy the one in your link.
Never came across that rebuilt box in your link so thanks again. I wanted to avoid autozone napa etc. and you just did that for me.

Yeah, unless the box they are selling at your local auto part store is a rebuild Mopar unit, then you should stay away from it. I've done a lot of research on this myself, and all the aftermarket replacement brands such as Cardone and the others, get very poor reviews. People say they leak and start making noise in less than a year, etc.

 

[06TJ35's]

Yeah, unless the box they are selling at your local auto part store is a rebuild Mopar unit, then you should stay away from it. I've done a lot of research on this myself, and all the aftermarket replacement brands such as Cardone and the others, get very poor reviews. People say they leak and start making noise in less than a year, etc.

Yea thats exactly why I didn't trust the guy at Jeep Solutions and wanted to double check with the jeep gods. Mopar unit what better can I ask for and less expensive than PSC box.

 

[Chris]

Yea thats exactly why I didn't trust the guy at Jeep Solutions and wanted to double check with the jeep gods. Mopar unit what better can I ask for and less expensive than PSC box.

Yep, that's the way to go. The OE Mopar one lasted you 13 years, so another one should last just as long.

 

[06TJ35's]

My exact same thoughts. Thanks.

 

[Drizit]

So I've done the frame conversion to use an 02 and down box. You need to move the hole for the bottom bolt. It can't be welded with the box in place so basically no your idea there won't save time or money. You need to replace the lines with ones from a 97-02 and the shaft doesn't need to be replaced, however there is a pin that needs to be punched out to let it collapse a bit. (I replaced mine as I had it and my old shaft was stuck to the box.

I got all my conversion parts from a friend's part out so it was cheap. New they will cost a fortune.

If you are feeling up to it rebuild kits can be gotten for the box to DIY the rebuild but plan on a weekend just in case you have trouble. (it should only take a couple hours but who knows.)
I'd look hard at a psc box if you are planning to run larger tires. Your old box may have lasted 13 years but how many of those were spent on large tires. Going off road?

—
There must have been a time
when we could have said no.

 

[06TJ35's]

It can't be welded with the box in place so basically no your idea there won't save time or money.

If you are feeling up to it rebuild kits can be gotten for the box to DIY the rebuild but plan on a weekend just in case you have trouble. (it should only take a couple hours but who knows.)

I'd look hard at a psc box if you are planning to run larger tires. Your old box may have lasted 13 years but how many of those were spent on large tires. Going off road?

I can see why It can’t be welded with the box in place now. Should have thought logically before I asked that question.

I’ve read the rebuilt kits are a PITA for the 03-06 but I dont know forsure And haven’t done any good research on rebuilding the box. I know they sell seal kits but what about the gears? My gearbox sounds like a cracking or popping sound.
So I think I would need more than the seals.

You bring up a good point since I got my jeep maybe 4 to 5 years ago I bought it with 35’s and I think it was a mall crawler before it got to my hands I started taking it off road and parts were breaking left to right but the box has lasted me that Long. I have some hard thinking to do.

 

[Drizit]

The gears are never replaced in a rebuild, bearings are though in some cases. Most of the rebuild kits I've seen for thr zf box are seals only. I've also been told (never seen, just told) that the races are part of the casting so when they are done so is the box. If you are getting cracking noises I'd be doing a lot of inspecting before ordering a kit. Another option is to take the box to a reputable shop that does rebuilding and have it done locally. Last and possibly best (definitely most expensive) option is to lay down the cheddar for the psc box.

—
There must have been a time
when we could have said no.

 

[Mr. Bills]

West Texas Offroad is another source for steering boxes. They have been rebuilding and modifying jeep steering boxes for ram assist steering for nearly 20 years. They can sell you a rebuilt box or rebuild yours. https://westtexasoffroad.wixsite.com/wtor

 

[06TJ35's]

The gears are never replaced in a rebuild, bearings are though in some cases. Most of the rebuild kits I've seen for thr zf box are seals only. I've also been told (never seen, just told) that the races are part of the casting so when they are done so is the box. If you are getting cracking noises I'd be doing a lot of inspecting before ordering a kit. Another option is to take the box to a reputable shop that does rebuilding and have it done locally. Last and possibly best (definitely most expensive) option is to lay down the cheddar for the psc box.

—
There must have been a time
when we could have said no.

I just got off the phone with a shop “Master steering” he qouted me $225 for a rebuild with one year warranty. That sounds like a deal to me I’m a college student and anywhere where I can save money I’m going to take it. Let’s see how the box holds up. This also means I have extra money to spend on the jeep elsewhere I’ll proably use the money to buy Lower control arm mounts and upper control mount seeing that there S***t

 

[Drizit]

That sounds not too bad at all. Buddy of mine had his done for 170 but he knew the shop owner. Seeing as the parts alone for the seal kit are around $70-80 I'd say that's a reasonable labor rate, particularly with a warranty.

—
There must have been a time
when we could have said no.

 

[Chris]

I just got off the phone with a shop “Master steering” he qouted me $225 for a rebuild with one year warranty. That sounds like a deal to me I’m a college student and anywhere where I can save money I’m going to take it. Let’s see how the box holds up. This also means I have extra money to spend on the jeep elsewhere I’ll proably use the money to buy Lower control arm mounts and upper control mount seeing that there S***t

Sounds like a deal to me as well!

 

[06TJ35's]

Update: Called a second store they told me $125 with core. $225 without core. They told me they had a core but hasn’t been rebuilt yet. So there going to rebuild it and call me when it’s ready.
The first shop told me $225 with exchange of the core.
$125 sounds like a steal! They backed it up with a one year warranty so ima take my chances. Sounds too good. Hopefully it all works out.

 

[Chris]

Update: Called a second store they told me $125 with core. $225 without core. They told me they had a core but hasn’t been rebuilt yet. So there going to rebuild it and call me when it’s ready.
The first shop told me $225 with exchange of the core.
$125 sounds like a steal! They backed it up with a one year warranty so ima take my chances. Sounds too good. Hopefully it all works out.

Wow, that’s a great price! Report back and let us know how it turns out. I have an 05, so I’ll have to cross this path at some point myself, and I’ll be curious to know how yours holds up.

 

[06TJ35's]

Will do. If you don’t hear anything from me the box is still holding up. I’ll be back on this when it leaks or gets loose. I’ll maybe post how it feels when I finish bolting it up.

 

[Drizit]

Wow that's dirt cheap. I'd ask the question of both shops if the rebuild includes bearings or not. That may be the reason for the extra cost.

—
There must have been a time
when we could have said no.

 

[Chris]

Will do. If you don’t hear anything from me the box is still holding up. I’ll be back on this when it leaks or gets loose. I’ll maybe post how it feels when I finish bolting it up.

Sounds good to me!

 

[PhantomX]

My stock steering box in my 97 TJ just died and I need to replace it. Is this worth going to a durango box or just swap a rebuilt stock one? I am 60/40 onroad vs off road in this TJ and running 35s with no plan to go bigger.