steering gear box weak?

[fenton mudder]

I have a 1994 Ranger 2wd. Its not a bad truck i run it pretty hard, and i have a leaky gear box. Im curious if any has any ideas on beefing this area up if possible, like a steering stabalizer option. Thanks.

 

[baddis]

why not just repair or replace the box? it is an easy thing to do. and iirc the box is the same from the ranger up to the f450sd. takes about an hour to replace the seal around the pitman arm. hardest part is removing the pitman arm.

 

[MAKG]

Leaky boxes might be due to a worn seal, but more likely, the box itself is just worn out.

Steering stabilizers are NOT necessary for power steering, and may mask very serious steering problems.

 

[fenton mudder]

I have a new steering gear box that my step grandfather got for me from a ranger in his tow yard, but the thing im concerned about is wether or not the new box will hold up to offf-roading. Because i dont want to tear up another box.

 

[MAKG]

The gearbox is quite far from the weakest link. If you are off-roading hard enough to BREAK the gearbox, I'd be rather concerned about breaking balljoints and tie rod ends first.

And what tow yard has new equipment? The one you get from there may be pre-worn.

As was mentioned, these exact same boxes are used in much heavier trucks. What do you propose to put in there?

 

[fenton mudder]

I wasnt sure what to put in there, i thought maybe a steering stabilizer would help. I guess though that since it is the original box and the truck has 134,000 miles on it, it might have just been time for it to wear out. Unfortuanetly the box he got me is not new but it doesnt leek fluid and it was free, so i figure why replace the gasket when i have a "newer" one.

 

[AllanD]

The steering box used in rangers is the same box used on F-250's so strength isn't an issue.

Old age....

AD

 

[whitetrash96]

The steering box used in rangers is the same box used on F-250's so strength isn't an issue.

Old age....

AD

I'm in need of a new box as well, so if I took one off a f250 would there be more of a mechanical advantage, ie. easier to turn bigger meats?

 

[metalmacguyver]

I'm in need of a new box as well, so if I took one off a f250 would there be more of a mechanical advantage, ie. easier to turn bigger meats?

the steering box is the same. its the power steering pump that makes the difference. replacing just the steering box wont make any noticeable difference.

 

[whitetrash96]

I guess everyone agrees with this ^ ? If so i'll get one from the nearest Explorer then.

I thought there might be a different ratio in the steering box to give some added leverage for the added weight and so forth on a larger truck. I'm not arguing I just want to make sure I get the best box for my truck.

 

[AllanD]

Actually the stering pumps aren't any different on a truck with a box either.

the rebuild pumps are "Generic" and you install them on the proper bracket
and install the proper pully for the application and you are good to go...

the only thing that makes a pump "different" is the regulator valve assembly and that only actually changes on Rack and pinion equipped vehicles.

SOME econoline vans came with a fast ratio steering box
(typically for "handicapped" packages and ambulance prep),
but those steering boxes are externally different, so my telling
you and you knowing fits in "trivia" rather and "useful"

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[Jspafford]

As stated, the boxes are all the same. The Steering Gear on my F-250 is the same as on the B2. Weird, but it works just fine.

 

[MAKG]

If the issue is mechanical advantage, you can adjust that at the steering knuckle. Move the tie rod end further from the balljoints and you have more advantage. Why not reuse parts if that's all you need?

You could also play games with the Pitman arm, for instance. There really isn't any need at all to mess with hydraulic internals for the purpose of mechanical advantage.