[quote author=perk link=board=4;threadid=10188;start=0#98146 date=1043895994]<br>I think that we will try the Luke's Link. We are still looking at steering boxes.<br>[/quote]<br>Try this: http://www.agrperformance.com/agr/ca...k-cA?model=102<br><br>The GM/Saginaw boxes are a weak link in the rams, IMO. On my 3rd @ 140K mi. Always pitman shaft bearing/seal. Last time I went to the AGR box. Still a Saginaw, but they rebuild w/heavy duty parts &amp; faster variable ratio. Can custom valve boxes per customer specs too. IMO, these boxes are too weak for diesel applications, esp. 4wd. Like to find real HD box, but so far no luck w/o redesigning whole front end. Have to wonder if my frequent trackbar failures contribute to pitman bearing wear...<br>BTW - there are two adjustments on the saginaw box. One is bearing preload, other is overcenter adjust. One or both may be out. Overcenter (the center jam nut on top) is most common too loose (due to internal wear). <br>my .02...<br>Regards,<br>-Scott

 

[quote author=perk link=board=4;threadid=10188;start=0#98190 date=1043900387]
Shire,
Thanks for the info, I guess we are in the same plight. What is the JBC kit you list in your sig?
[/quote]
You're welcome. When I replaced my first box, dealer wanted $700+(us$). Don't know what happened to Saginaw steering since GM spun it off. Had all kinds of GM vehicles before, &amp; never had a problem w/the saginaw steering. Local alignment shop tells me they've seen a fair # of Ram/diesels w/bad steering.

AGR has a new kit w/a fast (16:1) ratio box, and aux steering (slave) cyclinder. Meant for rock crawler types &amp; extreme off road. May have to go to that, but always hated slave cylinder based steering systems - never seem to last or work right. Besides, it's $1100, cough...
Thought about maybe grafting a steering box from a TopKick chasis in the Ram, but the steering ratio would most likely be way too slow - and would require lots of custom fabricating. What I can't figure is why Ford doesn't seem to have steering box failures as well - their box is even smaller than Saginaw...

The &quot;JBC kit&quot; is J.B. Conversions, in Lousiana. They make a slip yoke eliminator kit for NV231/241 transfer cases used in most late model GM &amp; Dodge 4wd vehicles. Basically gives you the same bullet proof design spline/stub shaft &amp; fixed yoke style driveline that the old NP205 (1rst gen) Rams had. I went to it after repeated failures of my NV241, which finally destroyed the ext. housing, bushing, &amp; shaft yoke. Does away w/the problem of slip yoke wear &amp; broken tailshaft snaprings.

Regards,
-Scott