A new Saginaw gear box thread (1 Viewer)

[Tireguy87]

I'm in the process of gathering parts for a saginaw PS swap on my 40. I have searched and read most of the threads pertaining to Saginaw gear boxes and the issues folks have had with obtaining the right one. I am now in that boat and looking for an update as most of the threads are a few years old now. I have tried the Napa part # that is referenced in @John Smith thread in the FAQ. That box is now a R&R only meaning return and rebuild so I'd have to find a core. I'm just curious if anyone has found a 4 bolt, 4.25 turn box on the shelf or online in the last few months.

 

[Michael B]

Have you tried Rock Auto?

I recently installed an entire kit from Advanced Adapters. The gear box I used came with that kit. They do sell them separately although they are not inexpensive.

 

[pjohnson]

Call these guys. They can sell you one or tell you what model and where to get one.
wtor

 

[B y r o n]

The one I purchased was from Napa under part# 39-1033. It shows a core charge of about $55 which simply means it will cost you that much more without a core. The core charge would be returned if you return a gear box. I doubt they will check if it's the same box as long as it's another Saginaw box.

 

[Tireguy87]

Have you tried Rock Auto?

I recently installed an entire kit from Advanced Adapters. The gear box I used came with that kit. They do sell them separately although they are not inexpensive.

I have tried Rock Auto. I have searched the part numbers I have and have also searched by a vehicle application chart that I was given at a local Napa. All of the 4 bolt, 4.25 turn boxes say Return and Rebuild only.

The one I purchased was from Napa under part# 39-1033. It shows a core charge of about $55 which simply means it will cost you that much more without a core. The core charge would be returned if you return a gear box. I doubt they will check if it's the same box as long as it's another Saginaw box.

That one is showing out of stock not available for online purchase. I see it also is listed as a 1.25" input shaft. Is that a misprint? I don't even see an option for a 1.25" steering u-joint anywhere. Most of them are 13/16" 36 spline.

 

[B y r o n]

I have tried Rock Auto. I have searched the part numbers I have and have also searched by a vehicle application chart that I was given at a local Napa. All of the 4 bolt, 4.25 turn boxes say Return and Rebuild only.



That one is showing out of stock not available for online purchase. I see it also is listed as a 1.25" input shaft. Is that a misprint? I don't even see an option for a 1.25" steering u-joint anywhere. Most of them are 13/16" 36 spline.

I did not see the not available info as I didn't add to cart. It is misprint as I have my product box in front of me and the PS box is installed and working just fine.

 

[SnowroxKT]

Why the Saginaw vs FJ60 box? I don't get it...

 

[TwelveGravity]

This is quoted from page 2 in my build when I did my sag. I mostly referenced another mudders @RWBeringer4x4 thread for tips.
I got my steering box from Carquest. Also available at AutoZone I believe.
Hope this helps.

My 1980 FJ40 Build

Some research done by @RWBeringer
""In case anyone is looking for confirmation of the other thousand saginaw steering posts, the box I ordered is listed below. I have confirmed that it is indeed 4 1/4 turns lock-to-lock, and has a 32-spline input gear. The store had it listed as 0.80" input gear, which equates to (almost) the same as 13/16." It should work!

1976 Jeep J20 Power Steering Box
Cardone Part #27-6529 (6529 was included in some way in every store/rebuilder I looked)
4 mounting bolts
4-1/4 turns lock to lock
32 spline, 13/16" (0.80") input gear""

 

[fjfodee]

J20 boxes have been R&R for some time now.

Jason, have you talked to Georg? I'm sure he's coming to Crawl. He may have something he could bring you.

 

[TwelveGravity]

J20 boxes have been R&R for some time now.

Jason, have you talked to Georg? I'm sure he's coming to Crawl. He may have something he could bring you.

Come to think of it.... I did NOT get my box from either store I previously mentioned (sorry, I've slept since then). I got my box, the mounting plate, firewall anchor and steering shaft from Jim (Downey) . Georg is also a great resource.

 

[Tireguy87]

Georg @orangefj45 offered to sell me a box when I bought the rest of my PS swap stuff from him. I didn't take him up on it because I figured it wouldn't be any big deal to find one local. After looking around, I'm probably going to reach out to him. I know he has what I need and I won't have to worry about it being the wrong lock to lock ratio. Seems the supply on these boxes is drying up quick!

 

[RWBeringer4x4]

Wow - that is really too bad - I just did a quick search and it looks like they are "no longer available" from most parts houses. I bought the J20 box from Napa with the part number @TwelveGravity quoted above. Granted this was probably 4 years ago...I believe there was an early 70's or late 60's Chevy Impala part number that worked as well - but that was the one people were having hit-or-miss luck with being 4 turn vs. 3.5

Guess I'm going to have to take good care of the one I've got!

 

[RWBeringer4x4]

As an alternative, I think @Racer65 sells a pretty slick electric power steering - won't help you if you've already collected the rest of the parts - but if these have gone to R&R, they'll soon be discontinued, and we may all be going electric in a few years!

 

[Downey]

1. For clarification, In post #8 above, Kevin wrote about a 13/16-32 spline Saginaw input shaft. Saginaw makes a 13/16-36 splined input shaft, then grinds-off 4 splines to create a flat spot, but when counting a spline count you have to count a full 360 degrees of splines (i.e. 36 splines).

2. For those wealthy enough to afford an AGR "dual stage" steering gear box, you might find that the 3 1/2 turn boxes (from stop to stop) provide a much better gear ratio for on road and off road.

3. If I had no choice but the electric power steering conversion, I would definitely go for it, but the electric conversion still leaves too many middle men in the steering equation for my taste- - -still too much slop in the steering, still too many moving parts.

 

[UZJ40]

I recently had issues with my Saginaw box. The lack of information, and the amount of bad information on the internet about different Saginaw box specs is extremely surprising and frustrating. I went to 3-4 different auto parts stores locally, and literally opened up their steering gear boxes to try and find what I was looking for. I needed a 4 bolt, 4 turn, flare fitting, 13/16" input. I had no luck finding that combo.

Finally, a light bulb came on and I called @orangefj45 and got a NAPA part # from him. I can't believe I didn't do that earlier! I went that day and picked one up locally. Everything about it was perfect. I can't believe it took me so long to find it, or realize I should have called Georg earlier, but oh well.

Ended up with NAPA part # 39-1079. It was around $120.

 

[orangefj45]

Thanks for the mentions and emerald guys, I appreciate it.

We use Napa # 39-1079

Georg @ Valley Hybrids & Cruiser Brothers

 

[loosechange]

i just checked the part number as well from napa it's 129.00 but the core is 83.00 more bucks ... hmmm well, at least I know where to go when my box fails

Thanks for the info as well. I'm

 

[Tireguy87]

Thanks for the input guys. I went with 27-6537 from Summit Racing. $99+$75 core charge. Box came in today and I can verify that it is indeed a 36 spline 13/16 input shaft with flared fittings and 4 mounting holes.

Jason

 

[orangefj45]

Is that a 3.5 or 4.25 turn box?

You DO NOT want the 3.5 turn ......

Georg @ Valley Hybrids & Cruiser Brothers

 

[lcwizard]

Quit being a sissy Georg. I even used a 2 1/2 turn once. Gotta be careful with it. It can catch you off guard. 4.25 lets you relax more
They don't guarantee a ratio but I got one of each, 3.5 and 4 , the last two I ordered. Personally I'm fine with a 3.5 as long is it's a true 3.5 and not a plugged box. Some of the boxes are plugged with a travel limiter

More Information for BBB / VISION-OE 5030110

If you want to be sure on the 4 turn, this one

More Information for ACDELCO 36G0103