My steering got quite sloppy over time and gearbox makes pretty loud noises when the wheel is turned side to side. So after reading about I was going to order new box from Blue Top. I got the part number from pitman arm (YC35-3590-AB) which indicated that it is a 36 spline box (I also manually counted the grooves under the layer of grime and there are 9 splines per group). So I was going to order the 2764BS box from BT. Right before pulling the trigger I went and actually looked at the box itself from the top and realized that the box looks very different from the one I was about to order. This is a box with 2 bolt cover and 36 spline connection. I spoke to BT and they told me that it may be anything including some weird aftermarket and suggested that I take it down and mail it to them to be rebuilt. I asked them if I can use the correct box and they told me that the hoses will probably not work with the correct box and that there may be more problems with shaft adapters etc. I am an amateur and I am worried that it will turn into a nightmare. But I was hoping that knowlegable people at this board would give me some insight.

1. what is the original part number of 2 bolt cover gearbox with 36 spline shaft?
2. What problems there will be if I just go with the standard 4 bolt cover type? (hoses, connectors etc? What is the difference between them?
3. If I send this one to be rebuilt by BT I would like to replace the hoses too but not sure what are the correct hoses because everywhere they list hoses for the 4 bolt top box and Bluetop guy seemed to be of opinion that this box would have different hose attachment style...

Any help is very much appreciated.

I was quoted like $800plus for this job by the local mechanics and that sounds insane for something I can reasonably do myself. If I did not happen to have weird non-standard parts in my truck it would be a no-brainer.

 

Welcome to FTE.

Give West Texas Off-road a call. They’ll rebuild yours, port it if you want and you’ll be set. $800 is insane.

 

It always helps to post as much information about your truck as you possibly can when you ask a question. You know all about your truck, we do not. Year, model, 2 or 4 wheel, regular or extended cab, engine, & so forth.

 

x2 on WTOR. Great people.

Only reason I went BT was because WTOR would not give me any core refund with a busted output shaft. BT gave me half the core charge refund. I do run WTOR hydro assist though.

If you're going to stick with BT, check out RD2 Fuel Systems. https://squareup.com/store/rd2fuelsy...Sb1p0G82gA9Jso
Fernando Parajon (owner) had the best prices at the time and great service as well. He may be worth asking about compatibility with your hoses but if you're going to buy new OEM hoses, sounds like you'd be set to go with a BT or WTOR box regardless.

 

Yes sorry. It is 2000 F250 4x4 7.3 diesel. Everywhere I looked it shows that it should have the steering gear box with the 4 bolt top. I am a second owner so I have no idea whether they had this one from the start or if they put another one on.

 

I was curious so I was poking around pics on RA. I'm guessing you might have an older box, eg a box for a '90 Bronco (F150) shows a 2-bolt top, but specs say 32 spline sector. Also I don't know if the bolt pattern at the frame was the same, ie would it even fit? Appears to also be the same box for a '96 F350 7.3...so still not an exact match to your 2 bolts but 36 splines

 

I have a 99, build date is 1/98, and it's a 4 bolt box.