CJ7 steering shaft

The steering in the CJ needs replaced...better to buy new or is a junk yard find ok? Also, the steering gear box is leaking...I want to replace it anyway with something that has better gearing for more response..how do I go about figuring out the gear ratio that would be best? I'm doing all the work myself and learning.


https://servimg.com/view/11235410/28
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Are you talking about the shaft that expands or the box itself? If its the shaft I got one from JcWhitney. Check them out on line. There were different options and I cant remember what the difference was. Its been a few years back.

As for the box, its probably like any other jeep. Unless you are going to a ram system its better off sticking with stock boxes.

When I had my cj it seemed like JcWhitney was the cheapest for stock parts and they were always reliable.

fyi... theres a forum www.cjoffroad.com that is all cj owner related. ive been there many of times for most of my cj questions. it is also a good place for hard to find used parts. theres some pretty cool tech write ups also.

I would go with the Bid Daddy Stearing shaft
http://www.windrockoffroad.com/Catalog/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=1034&idproduct=4179

As for stearing box I got mine at SALVOs alot cheeper than any mail order but was just a stock replacement.

look at the Big Daddy tie rod and drag link you will bend the stock one.

you might want to look at the HD stearing box bracket also.
I'm running the stock on mine but I have a stearing brace on my gear box.

Whoa so many choices out there ...man what's the difference between a "lower steering shaft" and "steering shaft"...anyway, pricing around and as long as the shaft is telescoping to adjust to the lift I'll be good. I'm going to get the steering box at the same time and replace all at once. Guess new hoses would be good too. Hey Paul, the tie rod and steering box bracket were already replaced...this guy put a little money into it...here's a partial list:

upgraded:
steering damper
steering box brace
tie rod
shocks
shackles
extended SS brake lines
4.56 gears (replaced all the bearings and seals when i did that)
locker in rear is a "detroit locker" not the E-Z locker, that's the real deal.
one piece axles in the rear (superior brand)
weber carb (sized for the stock engine) WEBER 32/36
battery
dropped pitman arm

replaced (with high quality aftermarket when available)
drive shaft u-joints
front axle u-joints
front ball joints
tie rod ends
wheel bearings
all brake components at the wheels except the calipers
shackle bushings and bump stops
replaced all of the brake lines in the rear

chics4jeeps wrote:

Whoa so many choices out there ...man what's the difference between a "lower steering shaft" and "steering shaft"...anyway, pricing around and as long as the shaft is telescoping to adjust to the lift I'll be good.

I have never heard of the "lower Stering shaft" Just a replacement Steering shaft. You should not need a telescoping shaft. That is for body lifts. If your lift is all supenions there is no change in the distance from firewall to gear box.