Are newer 3rd gen etc. Steering Boxes compatible with 2nd Gen?

[Rick C in Oakville]

My steering box has a huge amount of play and was looking maybe to get a newer box from the wreckers if they are compatible? Anyone know if Gen 3 or newer are interchangeable? Is a 1500 or 2500 gas Ram the same steering box?Thanks Rick

[Mopar1973Man]

There is some adjustments that can be made on the steering box. Sector adjustment will typical remove that slack quick... Its the jam nut and allen bolt... Give me a bit to dig up the write up (or if some else can help)...

[Rick C in Oakville]

Thanks Mopar Man, I found the adjustment routine will try it this weekend and see if it helps. It takes about over an 8th of a turn each side of centre (10 and 2 o'clock) to get the steering wheel to catch, all front end parts are good.

[Mopar1973Man]

Don't feel bad mine is getting there over time... but I'm keeping a close eye on the PS fluid and making sure the color doesn't change and looking for metalic debris (None - good thing!) But due for a PS fluid change. As for the adjustment don't get carried away and over tighten the adjustment it will cause damage to the steering box.

[Wild and Free]

You will not get that much paly out of it with the adjustment. The best way to tell if you are not too tight is make sure you can still push the pitman arm shaft in and out of the gear box enough to notice play. otherwise it will be bound up and will lock up when steering it. Once the play is that excessive you are best to get a different box. I highly recomend this one. http://www.genosgarage.com/prodinfo.asp?number=BORG-800112 As for the 3rd gen conversion, it has been done but there is an adapter plate and new hole to drill and different pitman arm configuration and all around lot of time and money involved. There was a company that made a kit but it was short lived and went out of business.

[dobienut]

Are you running one of those from geno's Wild anf Free? If so, do you have any wander? did you use your shaft or buy theirs?

[Wild and Free]

No I am running the 3.3 turn saginaw box from the GM application. I bought it about 2 years ago. I already had a Borgeson shaft for quite a few years already so that wouldn't have been an issue. The reason I recommend it is because the supply of saginaw boxes is running thin and if you did need to replace it in the future your chances of finding another are getting slimmer all the time. so by going with the ones Genos sells you will have something to replace it with again. No wander anymore since I went with the 3.3 turn box. It is the best upgrade I have done to the steering. Faster ratio means less input to keep corrected at all times.

[LiveOak]

Does anyone know if there are any compatability problems with the box Geno's is selling and the DSS I already have installed on my truck? Or is it a direct replacement fit?

[Wild and Free]

From what I have read they are a direct replacement part other than needing the borgenson shaft with it.

[dobienut]

From what I have read they are a direct replacement part other than needing the borgenson shaft with it.

Will work with the BD stabilizer and factory steering shaft according to what they say on their site. Using the factory steering shaft you have to notch the input shaft on the box to fit your shaft though...wonder if that would be that hard to do?