Everyone has an opinion, and I'm not going to critique or comment on those.

However I will note that my opinion regarding reverse rotation boxes just came up again on TDR's Mysteryman / Terry Elders / ret. Chry engineer.

http://www.turbodieselregister.com/f...mystery-solved

Note what he says, it is quite simple - the change of design from reverse rotation to 2wd box on 4wd was due to cost savings only.

From post #7:

"The reverse worm gear was used on 4x4 trucks from 72 threw early 77. this was due to the angle bracket that mounted the steering gear on its side. The sector shaft was then horizontal with the pitman arm pointing strait to the ground. This was done to the 4x4 trucks to cause the load from the gear box to be applied to the frame
length wise . It was a much better system than the later trucks got.. (like the 89-93 4x4's have) It was changed to save money. The later system put the torque on the frame left to right. (it tries to twist the frame) That is why the frames break out when you put wide rims and tires. I put the early style system on all my 4x4 trucks ."

 

I think if there was a kit for the reverse rotation I would probably buy it.

qmikep: your steering box is bad, guaranteed. Mine did the same thing, started to make a turn and it gave and really made the turn.

I have a redhead steering gear and I swear it's a different world from my old box.

 

Update: 3K desert road trip completed with welded and braced (dodgeconnection brace) frame, no issues. About 200 miles of low range rock crawling/frame twisting included. Did notice that the steering box bracket has a crack on the front bolt tab. Easy fix while it's still small. Now onto my fuel pin o ring leak (thanks to Jim Lane's tutorial it shouldn't be too much of a pia), do the maint. repairs ever stop?

 

no...Mark

 

Lol...18yrs of driving these rigs has taught me the same thing. That being said, I put a lot of yearly miles on them without the day to day hassles (20K this past year)

 

Yeah, the obvious is that the more maintenance, the less repairs. Mine has broken down before, but it has never stranded me. It is like owning a harley, half the fun is working on it, whether it needs it or not...Mark