Best steering box option for 2003 TJ?

CreepinDeth

CreepinDeth

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Researched old threads

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/power-steering-box-options.4111/
Cant find any solid advice on the steering box, even read Blaines posts. He did say not many good options, however this was 6 years ago…..

Has anyone found a solid steering box replacement yet?? Mine has like 2” of play before engagement. ALREADY ordered the linkage 2nd option Chris listed for steering & drag link.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/what-is-the-best-steering-for-my-jeep-wrangler-tj.2956/
Unfortunately mine is an 03, so I cant do the Durango steering box apparently. Im only running 31” tires

Redhead was who I was going to choose but….
Not 100% sure….
https://offroadpowerproducts.com/redhead-steering-gear-box-2003-2006-jeep-wrangler-tj-lj.html
 
https://www.pscmotorsports.com/psc-sk250.html
This is the best option. It's also nearly 3 grand. I saw a thread on here where someone cut out one of the sleeved nuts from the frame and moved it which allows you to use an older saingaw box. It didn't look to hard to me, but I weld shit for a living lol. My jeeps a 2004 with ~165k and the oem steering has some play, maybe a half inch either way. It bothers me but I've just decided to leave it alone until it becomes a real problem.
 
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I've had good luck with my Redhead steering box. More expensive than the Dorman etc brands, but not PSC prices. I think it's like $350 and they have options if you need to add hydro assist, different ratios, etc.
 
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Lou said:
PSC is the only reliable option for any year TJ.
Click to expand...
PSC is the best by far but I've never had a problem with reliability either the Saginaw on my first TJ or the Mercedes steering box on my current TJ so I'd have to say they're both usually very reliable. At least in my experience since buying my first TJ in 1996.

In fact the only steering box failure I've had was with an aftermarket "upgrade" that didn't make it through without springing bad leak through its front seal. You can see it spraying here, a photographer was at the right place at the right time. Fortunately I was wheeling with @mrblaine who had a spare rebuilt steering box for me in his "magic parts box" back at camp.

SteeringBoxSpraying97k.jpg
 
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The PSC is a new Saginaw box and has more turning force than either the OEM Saginaw box or the OEM Mercedes box. I would guess (no evidence to back this up) that it would have similarly stronger gears. So it is probably the closest you will get to "buy once cry once". Assuming you get the ported version (highly recommended), it also makes future upgrades like ram assist extremely easy.

Remanufactured boxes vary in quality depending upon the core that they come from. Sometimes you get lucky, sometimes you don't. And it's hard to pin it to a specific remanufacturer.

If you have the cash and plan to keep your jeep indefinitely, I would recommend the PSC unit. If it's just a beater car, go remanufactured or even a junkyard unit. You have good odds of having a remanufactured box that will last 2-3 years, but probably not for 10+ years.
 
Thanks for the feedback

Im not building a Jeep for extreme offroading
This is gonna just be a mild off road and DD for my kid

So I just want a reliable OEM grade, lowest cost, but good
This one (if original) made it 250K, and thats very good

I dont need anything crazy here
 
JKP said:
Lares makes a new steering box for the 03-06s.

No experience with it, but does not seem to be the OEM design.

https://catalog.larescorp.com/part/11356/
Click to expand...

I've emailed Lares today to get the info on this box. They sell the 11356 (shown on that link) as a new unit and the 1356 (looks like the Mercedes gear) as a remanufactured unit. They look completely different. My question to them was why they sell it that way and is the 11356 a better box than the 1356 or just cheaper.
 
Andy-WhiteTJ said:
I've emailed Lares today to get the info on this box. They sell the 11356 (shown on that link) as a new unit and the 1356 (looks like the Mercedes gear) as a remanufactured unit. They look completely different. My question to them was why they sell it that way and is the 11356 a better box than the 1356 or just cheaper.
Click to expand...
If it looks like the Mercedes it likely has the slightly different mounting bolt pattern that only works on 2003 and newer TJs, it may not work on your '98.
 
CreepinDeth said:
Looks like that Lares 11356 is the best comparable OEM option that isnt a reman. Its $429 on Rock Auto minus 5% so Im just gonna order it with new hoses

Thank you gentlemen
Click to expand...

I received an answer to my email:

Hello,
The #11356 is built to OE spec, just a different case design. It will still be a direct bolt in replacement.


Kal W Uthe
Senior Account Manager-
Senior Brand Manager- Product Specialist
 
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