Steering box replacement reccomendations

[Xombi]

Got my 94 Ranger xcab 4.0 MT 4x4 back from the state inspection station. Shocks, steering hoses, and the box are to be replaced. Sunsong seems to be better reviewed than Edelmann for the hoses. kyb for the shocks of the daily driver.
Whose reman steering box to choose? A sunsong kit is 50 and I have rebuilt boxes and pumps , but plug and play would be nice. I go burned on the last Cardone I used. I know that a name today is just a compilation of letters, with a reputation that was, and the sure bet is to take my time and do it right.
Step right up and share your experience.

 

[Shran]

I’ve used several reman boxes from Carquest/Advance Auto with no issues. Sometimes they have pretty good discount coupons if you order online.

 

[JoshT]

For my F-250 and F-100 I've heard a lot of good things about Redhead and Blue Top. I have no experience with either of them myself. I haven't had to replace a steering box yet, but I have a feeling that the F-250 is in the future.

For the Ranger, I'd probably consider going with one of those. Then I'd cheap out and got with a cheap reman off RockAuto and later wish I'd spent the money instead of doing it again.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

What exactly is wrong with the box? If it’s got play in it, you can usually adjust it out unless the box is totally trashed. I had the seal at the pitman arm start leaking on one or two of mine over the years and just bought a new seal and put it in. Adjusted boxes a couple times. Last time I adjusted one was my F-150, loosened the lock nut and slowly turned the adjuster while a buddy moved the wheel back and forth until the slop came out. Tightened the nut back down and called it good.

That said, Redhead and Blue Top are supposed to be the better boxes. I wouldn’t be afraid to try a reman from Autozone though, last I saw they had a “lifetime” warranty still.

 

[rumblecloud]

In my 94 4x4 auto trans "xcab", I used a TruGrade Power Steering gear from AutoZone. That was in 2021 at 214K. I am currently at 220K . with no issues.

 

[Xombi]

The box and hoses are weeping according to the state inspector. These guys have been straight with me in the past, and run a small honest shop. I have seen them turn upgrade money jobs down, when they saw that good enough would do. And that was what somebody could afford at the time.
Burtonsville Automotive Services. Good people.

But a box covered in slime from hoses could also be the case. Unlikely. Were I an inspector in this case I too would have condemned the box. To cover my licence.
Is the MOTORCRAFT STG41RM remaned by Ford, or just relabeled? It seems impossible to source seals, bearings, o rings and the like in the States.
When redhead wants $21.00 for a nut and washer for the pitman arm it's a bit much. On top of $300 for the box with a $150 core.
Blue Top is in the same price range.
Cardone at $114.00. Rock. Or a seal kit at 22 from Rock auto. NAPA and Carquest sell Cardone at a much higher price.
Cardone claims they use OEM seals and parts.
If the box is weeping badly, and I am of a mind to replace 30 year old hoses, add a a reman cardone box, add a filter and call it a long day.

Treat your stuff like it is COD and you have to warranty it to a pair of litigious barristers is how I have learned to roll.
You are your most important customer, we sometimes forget in tight times.

What is the inner diameter of the return hose so that I might order the correct filter?
Tomorrow I will jack it up, brake clean it to hades and see if the inspectors are right about the box leaking as well as the hoses, before I fire the parts cannon.
I can dream can't I, and cleaning up a job first makes it go go so much better.

For flushing the pump I don't see as a downside using some left over import specific ps fluid to clean it out, and get it off the shelf before i do a proper refill.
But I am not a chemist.