Anyone ever done the 4 bolt steering gear upgrade?

[holyford86]

I've been getting tired of the stock ranger gearbox having a ton of play, I've replaced it 4 or 5 times with reman units and it either has play out of the box or leaks pretty soon after I install. Adjusting the preload does nothing, it's all side to side play in the sector shaft. I've been reading about 80s and 90s bronco guys swappng the factory box (same as a ranger) for the 4 bolt top cover box that comes on 1997 to 1999 f250-f550. Better steering feel and improved assist are the claimed benefits, both of which I would like. The fittings are different but shouldn't be a big deal to overcome, input and output shaft size and master spline orientation are the same and bolt pattern to frame is the same, thoughts?

 

[ericbphoto]

Go for it. Let us know how it turns out.

 

[holyford86]

Go for it. Let us know how it turns out.

Probably going to, have a lifetime warranty box in there now which is junk, I'll see if I can get it swapped out for the better box and pay the difference, then go from there.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Probably going to, have a lifetime warranty box in there now which is junk, I'll see if I can get it swapped out for the better box and pay the difference, then go from there.

Will probably get "rebuilt" from the same pile of used parts with new no-name seals...

 

[holyford86]

Will probably get "rebuilt" from the same pile of used parts with new no-name seals...

I was surprised to see all of the seals on the one I have were marked ford or Chicago rawhide