I recently picked up a used YJ box to swap into my tJ. I read numerous posts that it was a direct bolt on.
So I dropped it off at a shop to get swapped in(don't have the time).
Dude calls me and says it doesn't line up, 4 mounts vs.3 . SO I told him to check it again, and it is not working. I am out the money once to put it back with the original, leaky box( and it is making bad noises) Prior to him monkeying with it.
So is the YJ box a direct bolt on? Or did I get the wrong steering box from the bone yard(they shipped it)?

Or is this guy clueless?

Either that wasn't the factory YJ box or there was some messing around in YJ boxes because to my knowledge they are all 3 bolt boxes that are a direct swap.

The YJ box might actually be an S10 box which is 4 bolt, but still your mechanic would have to be retarded because 3 of the 4 holes will still line up and it too is swappable but stouter. If it is a 4 bolt box just have him mount it using the 3 bolts that line up and leave the 4th hole open.

Gosh I hope it is the correct ratio though.

I think where I got it from, shipped me a manual steering box, not a power steering box. 3 hole for power, 4 for manual: so I am learning. Does that sound right?

My wife is pissed!

YJ's have 4 bolt mounting and TJ's have 3 bolt mounting on the steering box. A TJ box will fit on a YJ and a YJ will fit on a TJ. The only difference should be that the YJ box has a forth hole that will not be used and the ratio is going to be better than a TJ.

I thought the two Saginaw ratio's were 13:1 & 17:1???
17:1 in all model 4x4's??
13:1 in all gm sports cars

I went and picked up my jeep.
the box I got was not even close on the bolt patterns.
I should have friggin checked first.

The box itself has a 76 on it, vertical to each other, and a curvy looking S, for Saginaw I guess. No other markings to say what it is off of. The place I did get it from is all jeep parts though.

Off to figure up plan B, still drives ok on the old box.

If the box you got was actually off of a YJ Wrangler it WILL bolt up. You will have 1 extra hole that won't be used but it will work.
You can also use a late 80 S10 box and it will only have the three hole that your TJ frame has.

wanna give me a deal on your old power steering box?

Originally posted by thenodnarb
wanna give me a deal on your old power steering box?

dude 76 saginaw boxes are the best ones GET IT

I am surprised 1TONTJ hasen't replied yet, but he is in my club and picked up about 5 YJ Steering boxes. They all bolted up. We just didn't use the other hole.

If I am wrong I am sure he will post.

The box I got just wasn't anywhere close to fitting, or I would have used it. I am thinking this one wasn't off a YJ, or later model YJ.

I think some older YJs had a different pattern for the holes. I had this problem in my TJ a few months back and picked up an XJ box from the junkyard for 50 bucks cause I pulled it myself. Ran fluid through the system and away I went. Just be sure it's full when you pull it so you know there's no leaks and get some vice grips and turn the input or turn the steering wheel if it has one to make sure it turns.

If you're lazy like me you'll look around for an XJ that doesn't have a majority of the front clip, that way you won't have to jimmy with it too much.

Good luck with it...4 banger TJ are the shiznit :flipoff2:

I think the '87 YJs might have had a different box. The steering on my '87 YJ is light as a feather with 35s (you can turn it with your pinky finger, parked and idling) while the steering on my buddie's '91 YJ takes a lot more effort with only 33s. I'd always assumed that this was due to a different power steering pump, but a different steering box makes more sense.

I'll take a closer look at mine this weekend...

Jake