Another Steering Gearbox Question

[OldButStillJeeping]

The Big Green happy truck dropped off this bad boy from PSC yesterday. It's beautiful, man, beautiful. Lol

[OldButStillJeeping]

The delivery truck was UPS Brown, but I'm color blind so its green to me.
Anyway, I started turning wrenches today to install my PSC steering gear with ram ports (for use later if need be). And... because I lowered my radiator 2", it doesn't clear the radiator! My radiator is lowered because I did a UCF tummy tuck without a motor mount lift... anyway...
So, I'm putting the radiator back to its stock location to clear the PSC, and cutting the crap out of my radiator shroud and/or lowering it to clear the fan.
I gotta say... though maybe nobody may read this... I love this Jeep Mod stuff. It keeps me from getting overweight and lethargic! Lol.
God Bless.

[deantac]

The delivery truck was UPS Brown, but I'm color blind so its green to me.
Anyway, I started turning wrenches today to install my PSC steering gear with ram ports (for use later if need be). And... because I lowered my radiator 2", it doesn't clear the radiator! My radiator is lowered because I did a UCF tummy tuck without a motor mount lift... anyway...
So, I'm putting the radiator back to its stock location to clear the PSC, and cutting the crap out of my radiator shroud and/or lowering it to clear the fan.
I gotta say... though maybe nobody may read this... I love this Jeep Mod stuff. It keeps me from getting overweight and lethargic! Lol.
God Bless.

I'm reading it...

[OldButStillJeeping]

I'm reading it...

Thanks!
I found that i can make it work by lowering the radiator 1 1/4", and the shroud 3/4".
I'm using power steering hoses for an earlier model TJ to plumb the PSC. Installed those yesterday with minor modifications needed .
I found it interesting that there were no instructions of any kind in the PSC box. Not even the customary sticker. Had to call their tech line to verify which port was pressure, and which was return.
It's not brain surgery, so I guess they figured if your changing a steering gear you don't need information.

[OldButStillJeeping]

For the record, I ordered these hoses, and they work for PSC gear Installation. Got them on Amazon. These are for 97' thru 2002 TJ, whereas my Jeep is a 2005:
Edelmann 80291
Edelmann 80293

I did have to very slightly open up the bends at the gearbox end to get the input squared with the ports.
I do have a 1" body lift, but still had to hack away at the radiator bracket for clearance. Mostly because I have lowered my radiator for reasons previously mentioned.
If I ever install a RAM for my steering, I'll either have to install a motor mount lift, (which opens another can of worms due to tub to transmission clearance with the flat skid / tummy tuck), or have a radiator custom built. As it is now, the blocked RAM ports are fine, But installed RAM hoses would hit the radiator if I actually installed the RAM.

[OldButStillJeeping]

Glad you got it worked out. You’ll love the PSC big bore


Sent from my iPhone using WAYALIFE mobile app

Thanks! It cost me a trip to Vegas with the wife... I hope it's the last time I have to deal with a steering gear on this TJ!
Btw, if anyone wants a 2005 Mercedes built- used steering gear... PM me. I'm in SoCal.
If that doesn't violate Forum rules...

[OldButStillJeeping]

Well, the PSC is in. Took the jeep for a drive. No leaks, no problems. Took just over 1qt of the 715 fluid, PSC recommends. No noticable difference driving, except the play is gone. And my confidence wheeling is way up.

[OldButStillJeeping]

So, this us what I learned. All this with the help of folks on this forum, and a good deal of internet search, phone calls, and frustration. I submit the following:

1>The later year TJs used a Mecedes steering gear box. It's expensive for a rebuilt and most rebuilds only have the seals changed. The casting will need serious work to actually achieve a like new function. New ones (NOS) are impossible to find and from what I found they are about $1,500.
2> There are thusly, 3 "economical" options...
Option 1 is to get a steering gear (Saginaw) from an earlier model TJ and modify your frame which includes welding to accept the different bolt pattern. The advantage with this option is the units are readily available. The downside is you have to modify your frame mounts and this may decrease your Jeeps resale value with visible frame mods, and the unit won't be much better than the stock unit. Cost is +/- $600.
Option 2 is buy a unit from a company I'll not mention. That company uses a modified rebuilt unit and has terrible reviews as of this writing. Cost is +/- $600.
Option 3 is to purchase a unit from PSC. This unit is purpose built for the TJ and uses larger components for more durability. It also includes the option of Ram ports. Cost is +/- $1,000.
I went with option 3, PSC.
If you go with the. PSC unit, the following info is good to know:
The PSC unit is approximately 2.25 longer (towards the firewall) at the steering column end. On my 2005 TJ I have a 1" body lift and I had to shorten my steering column. It's easy to do. To do it, PSC has instructions available online.
I flushed and drained my steering pump during this install, and the required amount of fluid to refill was a quart plus a couple ounces. I bought 2 qts of the PSC recommended fluid (715), and have 3/4 a quart left over for topping it off if necessary.
You'll need new hoses. The houses for a pre 2002 jeep TJ work fine with very slight and easy to do modification. And as of this writing, are more complete and cheaper than what PSC offers. (?)
I ordered a new pitman arm (about $30) as getting the old one off the Mercedes unit was too much of a hassle. (And I own a 20 ton press).
Be prepared to cut a bit from the lower radiator brackets and shroud brackets for hose clearance.
I had to zip tie my hoses to the lower radiator hose to keep them from rubbing the steering column.
Thanks to all on this forum for the advise!
It all worked out well.
God Bless