Is there an upgrade steering gear swap for an '86 SWB Gen 1? I remember seeing something about swapping in a Gen 2 or Gen 1 LWB box, but I'm search function illiterate on this site. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Should I swap in the Gen 2 pitman and idler arms at the same time?

My friend's steering gear has a leak, and it might be a good time to upgrade! There's a '95 Gen2 SR in the local junkard.

http://www.4x4wire.com/forums/showflat.p...ue#Post1180844.
This was done by MarcDurant and should answer your questions.

He didnt swap the box... Just rod ends and idler arm.

Swapping the box takes a bit more effort since the upper holes are further apart on the later box. There is room to machine out the mount holes to match. I made up a set of oval spacer to go under the bolt head.


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Kevin

Kevin, did you find any advantage to using that box?

Frank

Guess it would have helped if had learned to read in school. Sorry

The biggest advantage is it has a faster steering ratio. It's also a stronger box, but I dont think that a signifigant advantage on my 4 cyl SWB gen 1.

The faster ratio does take some getting used to, but I really like it esp when making sharp turns at the loading area at Home Depot (just came back from there).

Is the LWB Gen 1 box different from the SWB? (Different bolt pattern like the gen 2 box, lock to lock turn count, bigger internal piston for less effort, etc.) Any advantage to it?

I read on the Gen1-Gen2 swap sticky thread that the idler arm is stronger on the Gen 2 vs the Gen 1, but the arm itself is slightly longer. If I use the Gen 2 box with the Gen 2 pitman arm and idler arm, other than a slight toe change and a slight decrease in lock to lock turns, (If the arms are indeed longer) any disadvantages, advantages, or clearance issues?

Thanks for the answers so far! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Marty,

This is going to sound really bad.... But I dont really remember what I got my steering box out of. I'm pretty sure it was a 90 or a 91, four door. I must have been a Gen 1 since it was the doner for the front axles. I did the steering box swap about 8 years ago, so my memory is a bit fuzzy on the details.

I know it has the same lenght pitman arm.

Kevin

An 89LWB gearbox is slightly different from a 90-91 Gen 1 gearbox. the main pitman shaft that connects to the pitman arm is a different diameter... 90-91 being a little larger diameter (beefier) also requiring a different part number pitman arm. I believe the ratio's are nearly identical. Otherwise the gearboxes are the same for 89 to 91 for LWB. I have an 87SWB out back, but havent compared it's gearbox yet to either of the LWb sets I have.

And some days my writing skills are pretty bad. Beetween our two posts we kind of had it covered.

That works for me.

Back to the cellar to do some more digging. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/barf.gif" alt="" />

Kevin