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Forward swing outside the frame rail steering box?

Jeep JK box mounts inside the rail, but the gear sits on top of the frame. It is forward swing.

Jeep WJ bolts outside the frame rail, gear sits on top, but is rear swing. So does Nissan Xterra, but it uses Metric pitman arm.
 
Thornbird1 said:
I have a steering box from a 1977 ramcharger, forward swing, mounts outside the frame rail. rebuilt and ported for hydro assist by west Texas offroad. Willing to sell it if your interested.
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Can't wait to get this installed, it's on it's way.

Anyone know if it's o-ringed or flared lines for a 77 Ramcharger?
 
Grendel said:
Can't wait to get this installed, it's on it's way.

Anyone know if it's o-ringed or flared lines for a 77 Ramcharger?
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As mentioned, they should be flared. That is known as a "reverse rotation" steering box. They were used on pretty much any Dodge 4WD light truck '72-'77, though other versions were used on earlier models. '72-'75 have a slightly larger input shaft. Reman units are still available though Rockauto, parts stores, and other sources. In some cases they can be a little undesirable as the arm swings directly in the way of the corner of the tire on a tight left turn. It's pretty common to see the drag link with the boot ripped off the pitman end due to this. Still a good, strong box with a (now) unique configuration for a light truck.
 
u2slow said:
That was my thought... I saved a '79 Bronco one since I have some SD axles too.
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Slander said:
I'm rocking one of those f150 boxes on my tacoma. It's a BIG bastard for sure. I got mine from rock auto, prices are all over the map with them it seems.
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I have a Ford bronco box on my Dakota converted to rear swing. i sheared the sector shaft off at koh this year. After looking online some people said it’s more common than I though.there even was a lawsuit between Ford and somebody. I got a new sector installed and cross my fingers, also think my steering stops were not adjusted right so it maxed the box out.
 
Thornbird1 said:
I have a Ford bronco box on my Dakota converted to rear swing. i sheared the sector shaft off at koh this year. After looking online some people said it’s more common than I though.there even was a lawsuit between Ford and somebody. I got a new sector installed and cross my fingers, also think my steering stops were not adjusted right so it maxed the box out.
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I heard that. I have a spare box tapped for hydro assist that I take with me when I'm out of AAA range to get me home incase this happens.
 
I am still playing with fitment and 3 steering boxes.

The Dodge box I got from Thornbird1 is starting to look like the winner.

Just have to make the coils clear the steering shaft.
 
So anyone have a source for a 7" long pitman arm (hole to hole) with a 1" drop?

Factory 2005+ Ford F350 is perfect, but my DRE nut is hitting the frame.
 
Dont remember the dimensions but a Scout arm is not too far off from that
 
ChiScouter said:
Dont remember the dimensions but a Scout arm is not too far off from that
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Thanks

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Looks like it's upside down in the pic?
 
Thornbird1 said:
i sheared the sector shaft off at koh this year. After looking online some people said it’s more common than I though.
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Just a matter of time. Fortunately they always go in the parking lot and not on the highway.

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Grendel said:
What set up is that?
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2000 F250 2X, 6" lift of unknown origin. Drop down pitmans and big tires make life hard on sector shafts. Stupid duty's are pretty notorious for this.
 
They are all cracked for a while before they let go. Like I said, only happens in the parking lot. Need the stress of turning a large tire a 0MPH to finish it off. I have never heard of one letting go on the highway and I know a lot of guys that have snapped them.

Not sure what that mark was, but it was not rubbing on anything.
 
Mine snapped when I monster trucked a rock late at night at koh. Too much liquid courage. I hit the rock with my driver tire, it took the wheel out of my hands and went to full lock. I think if my steering stops were adjusted right it wouldn’t have snapped. It wasn’t cracked before and I have hydro asssist so not much pressure on shaft normally.
 
Man this doesn't give me confidence! I really don't want to have to redo my steering box setup to use a Toyota box or something like that, but it may have to happen!
 
I could fit in a pillow bearing on the bottom, sort of like the Dodge Ram steering box braces.
 
Slander said:
Man this doesn't give me confidence! I really don't want to have to redo my steering box setup to use a Toyota box or something like that, but it may have to happen!
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I wouldn’t worry too much, like I said it was more driver error than anything. Set your steering stops so the travel isn’t limited in the box. If you have hydro assist going to the tie rod it’s even better.
 
Burns said:
Mid 70's ford 2wd trucks have a forward facing arm and sit outside the frame rail!
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You can put the servo and worm gear from a later box in them to make them rear swing, Like I did.
 
Slander said:
Man this doesn't give me confidence! I really don't want to have to redo my steering box setup to use a Toyota box or something like that, but it may have to happen!
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The box we're talking about breaking dwarfs the Toyota box in every way other than number of people online who think it's magical just because it packages well in some popular rigs.

There's a steering box comparison thread on the old side with part dimensions (shaft diameter, splines, piston diam, etc).
 
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