We have called everywhere we can locally (Ohio) trying to locate a part for our newly purchased truck. We are looking for a Steering Gear Box for a 1982, Dodge Ram Pickup, 150 Series, Manual Steering and Transmission, Slant 6 engine, 2 wheel drive. Anybody got this part laying around?

-- Harmony (harmonyfarm57@hotmail.com), February 16, 2002

Answers

The salvage yards have an intermutual com link, go and ask in person at a bigger yard.

-- mitch hearn (moopups@citlink.net), February 16, 2002.

http://jcwhitney.com/

-- al (yr2012@hotmail.com), February 16, 2002.

If its like the 1974 I used to have, and I suspect it is, then it uses same Saginaw gearbox that the older GM half tons used with exception of a slightly longer input shaft. That may be why you are not finding any. It may be people bought them to use on chevies. I know when I had the old chevies it was impossible to find a manual steering gearbox in useable condition. I still have the remains of my old '74 Dodge setting in upper pasture. If you just absolutely cant find a gearbox and check to make absolutely sure a '74 will fit, then email me and I suspect we can make a deal.

There are many, many junkyards online so you can also search on the internet. Also you might consider changing over to power steering using assembly from junkyard. Parts for that are much more plentiful.

One suggestion, wherever you buy a used gearbox, I strongly encourage you to replace the oilseal around the output shaft before installing it. More boxes get ruined from lube leaking out than anything else. Oh and good luck with your purchase. My old Dodge with the slant six gave me very good service.

-- HermitJohn (Hermit@hilltop_homestead.zzn.com), February 16, 2002.