Need a new steering box

skyhighZJ

skyhighZJ

Gov retirement < needs to live
Joined
May 31, 2012
Location
Aberdeen, NC.
So my ‘98 dodge 2500 needs a new steering gear (box). The components are clean and tight but the box has play and is pissing fluid bad. I have NO interest in rebuilding it so that’s out.
Do I;
A.) buy one from the local parts house (mediocre reviews on quality and “tightness”)
Or,
B.) spend up and buy a Red top/blue top (basically sister companies albeit a bit of a price difference)

Who has what experience? Really need to get on this as the leak is getting pretty damn bad.
 
skyhighZJ said:
So my ‘98 dodge 2500 needs a new steering gear (box). The components are clean and tight but the box has play and is pissing fluid bad. I have NO interest in rebuilding it so that’s out.
Do I;
A.) buy one from the local parts house (mediocre reviews on quality and “tightness”)
Or,
B.) spend up and buy a Red top/blue top (basically sister companies albeit a bit of a price difference)

Who has what experience? Really need to get on this as the leak is getting pretty damn bad.
Click to expand...

I’ll always recommend Ryan at Blue Top. He’s a featured vendor in all of my groups.

Specifically what he notes for 97 and earlier ford boxes and ford conversions:

Blue-Top reman units are each individually built and inspected by myself first. Large rebuilders are assembly line settings with guys that have no background or much experience with gearboxes. So #1, shafts are finished polished with 320 grit for a smooth mirror like finish. Most rebuilders use 60grit and touch them with scotchbrite pad. The coarse grit leaves microscopic grooves that I believe will wear on seal faster and result in leaks quicker. #2 The worm and piston units are each individually sized for a perfect sized ball bearing that has little resistance and no play. Most rebuilders use a standard sized bearing and no more than that. #3 Worm bearing preloads seem to be one area that big rebuilders can never get right or they just simply don't touch it. Every valve worm preload gets dissasembled by myself and re-torqued not to any specific torque value but by feel. #4 Bearings for sector shaft!! Myself and one other builder are the only ones that I know of that bore out these ford housings and install needle bearings. All other rebuilders send out unit with shaft against the factory bore (not a removable bushing) and there is no way to remove side to side play. This kind of play also comes all the way back up to your steering wheel. And last, the sector shaft adjustment screw. This is adjusted by feel as well and not by a factory spec because there are lots of variables to a factory setting on this adjustment.
Click to expand...

Also worth noting…the last couple Redhead boxes and control valves I got, I didn’t feel the QC was up to snuff and sent off to Ryan to go through again.
 
UTfball68 said:
I’ll always recommend Ryan at Blue Top. He’s a featured vendor in all of my groups.

Specifically what he notes for 97 and earlier ford boxes and ford conversions:



Also worth noting…the last couple Redhead boxes and control valves I got, I didn’t feel the QC was up to snuff and sent off to Ryan to go through again.
Click to expand...
Thanks man. Kind of the vibe I was getting on the lines was red top was cool but got to big for their britches and just floating the name to keep the dollhairs coming in.
 
I put a blue top in my 07 ram a few years ago. Only put a few thousand miles on it but I am happy with it.
 
I have a 2nd gen also, and given that my box seems to have a catch in it, I think I will be in the same boat soon, so following along.

On the same topic, does anyone know if there is another factory option that is an upgrade? Maybe a SD steering box?
 
paradisePWoffrd said:
I have a 2nd gen also, and given that my box seems to have a catch in it, I think I will be in the same boat soon, so following along.

On the same topic, does anyone know if there is another factory option that is an upgrade? Maybe a SD steering box?
Click to expand...
I haven’t ever heard of a “factory option” upgrade but I do find it funny that they use the same box for 1500, 2500, and 3500 4wd trucks. At least according to everywhere I have looked it just asks for the ratio which is either 15:1 or 18:1.
Also, Blue Top is very specific on the core specifications of being a “factory” piece and not a parts house reman which they outline on their website on how to identify it.
 
I have heard of people putting 3rd gen boxes on a 2nd gen as an upgrade and also 4th gen on a 3rd gen. so idk how good the factory replacement 3rd gen really is. lol.
 
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As far as steering links the 2nd gen trucks can surely stand to be upgraded away from the “Y” style to the “T” style just like any Jeep. For a steering box I’m not sure. I’m in a different boat as my 2 gen had a front D60, leafs, and steering (tie rod drag link) from a 1997 Ford F-350 with a high steer arm on the passenger side up to the box (custom drag link) only retaining the factory dodge steering box itself with a ford factory Drag link for the tire to tire steering.
 
PSC. Buy once, cry once. My buddy just picked up one of their boxes and pumps for his 01. Said it was a very nice difference.
 
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