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77 Cherokee 360, PO broke off the mounts (ears on the box) and sheared the hose bolt inside the box, so I'm replacing it. I've heard the bigger bore J20 boxes are best, but not sure which years bolt to mine without changing the pump, lines, etc, or if I'm better off with just a rebuilt, OEM box for mine.
Any help is appreciated!
J20 boxes are getting really hard to find because of people upgrading non-J20s with them. We have had a few J20 owners unable to find replacements.
For the majority of users, the OEM box is pretty strong and reliable.
There are people that switch them out for S10 steering boxes for better on road feel (they are less boosted feeling). There are plenty of after market boxes such as PSC and AGR, but they are often intended for use with hydro-assist steering, or they have a different ratio which can make them less ideal for street usage.
Probably should have mentioned I am looking for mostly street usage with some gravel forest service type road use, so one of the big aftermarket setups is not required. If I was going to look at the S10 box, is there a year range to pick up, or is a rebuilt OEM going to just be the better all around choice?
Really appreciate the advice!
No expert on this but - supposedly - you want the gear from a 4x4 S-10-derived vehicle, whether that's an S-10 or a Blazer/Jimmy/Bravada. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_S-10_Blazer The 4x4 gear has a slower ratio than a 2x4 which is said to be better for this application. All of these gears are of progressive design, slower near center. And - again supposedly - the design and materials have improved a lot since our Jeeps were made, and durability of these gears is a lot better. I recall that others have picked these from the junkyard and used them, no refurb needed.
A caution; I'm repeating what I've read. You should be able to find posts about this, read, and ask additional questions.
Tim Reese
Maine beekeeper's truck: '77 J10 LWB, 258/T15/D20/3.54 bone stock, low options (delete radio), PS/PDB, hubcaps.
Browless and proud: '82 J20 360/T18/NP208/3.73, Destination A/Ts, 7600 GVWR
Copper Polly: '75 CJ-6, 304/T15, PS, BFG KM2s, soft top
GTI without the badges: '95 VW Golf Sport 2000cc 2D
Dual Everything: '15 Chryco Jeep Cherokee KL Trailhawk, ECO Green
Blockchain the vote.
1979 Cherokee Chief S, V8, MSD Pro Billet Distributor with New Factory Ignition Box (are these 2 even supposed to work together?), HEI Wires, Edelbrock 1406, Edelbrock Performer manifold, 3.54 gears, Tru-Trac Locker in the rear, Turbo 400, New Quadratrac, Dual gas tanks, new 32 x 11.50's, Big 9000 winch, Homemade 2.5" full length exhaust, Custom Headlight Harness, Custom front bumper working, Custom Rear Swing-out Bumper, Class V receiver hitch ... and a lot of work to do yet.
I run a XJ box, it turns like butter with a pinky finger, but I'm also using a late model XJ engine and pump. I hear Durango/Dakota boxes work as well but have no basis to confirm