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locating parts

haas

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I have a 1977 m880 model dodge and need to find a steering gear box for it...anyone know where i can find one?
 

RF202

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I'll probably be throwed off of this list,(lol) for saying this, but, you can, if you're real desperate, get one through Advance Auto Parts, if you have one in your area? And, I'm sure other parts houses as well. About 3 or 4 years ago, mine went on the fritz and Advance quoted $199 for a rebuilt one, with exchange. You probably already know this, but it must be for a 4WD. The 2 WD looks identical and will fit right on, BUT, it turns opposite of the 4WD. At this point I might also add that mine is a 76 with the box on the outside of the frame, while yours is located on the inside of the frame. So, you may be able to use a 2WD, but just be sure to check for proper rotation. Hope this helps.

Thanks,
John
 

haas

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Thanks john,
I havent tried advanced auto yet. my box is located outside the frame. Is this unusual? dont know that much about them.
 

RF202

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Haas,
In answer to your question I will tell you what I have seen. The M880 series is referred to as '76/and before or after/76. All of the 76's I have seen, have the box mounted on the outside of the frame. 77's and up have it mounted on the inside of the frame. Now as to whether this is "set in stone", I cannot say. Other than the grille and parking lights, I don't think there were any other changes. But, I could be wrong. Perhaps some of the other members here, can help us out??? I would assume that there are a number of companies that might supply a rebuilt box, although I think this would be a good time to consider upgrading to a power steering unit. Of course if you are trying to keep it "period correct" then you wouldn't want to do that. But, if it's a daily driver, like mine, I would. I have obtained a P/S box for mine, still have to get the pump and bracket, but I have been told several years ago by Bill Harbaugh, in NJ, that it would work. In fact, I believe he just got the units off of civilian 4WD Dodges. Hope this helps.

Thanks,
John
 

McGuyver

Member
466
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Location
Utah
Uhmm.. sorry, but your info here isn't quite correct.
Dodge never mounted the steering gear inside of the frame until the `94 and later models. The steering gear was mounted with the pitman arm in a vertical orientation until `77. In `78 and through out the `80's and early `90's the gear box was rotated 90 degrees and the pitman arm was flipped over and oriented in a horizontal position. Steering shaft on the `77 and earlier had the rag joint at the box, and the U-joint up near the firewall. from `78 to `93 this was reversed, putting the U-joint down where mud and dirt could more easily get into it and wear it out.
 

Recovry4x4

LLM/Member 785
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Steel Soldiers Supporter
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My 77 has the box on the outside. I wished I had the darn power stuff so that I could get rid of my box. Its pretty tight since its only got 11,000 miles. I bet Saturn has one too.
 

Desert Rat

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Haas;
Don't forget AutoZone! We pride ourselves in helping MVers! Full-time Mver, part-time AutoZoner!
 

Bruiser

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I have a 77 M880 and want to convert it to power steering. How hard would it be to use everything from a 91 Dodge 1 ton 4x4? Will the holes line up in the frame? Will I need to keep anything from the 77 model, like the steering shaft or steering column?

Or would it just be easier to get everything from the same year truck?


Thanks,

Eric
 

McGuyver

Member
466
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Location
Utah
It would be easier to use everything from the same year (`77) or earlier powerwagon with powersteering. In `78 the steering setup was modified as I mentioned above and if you went with a `78 or newer setup, you may have to replace the steering shaft with the newer and in my opinion inferior later shaft version that puts the U-joint down at the geer box instead of near the firewall as it was in `77 and earlier. You may have to replace the drag link too since the gear box and pitman arm orients differently, but don't quote me on that. I'd verify that first. So in answer to your question, yes I believe you could use the `91 gear box if you want to. I have a friend who changed his over to the later steering set up and I beleive he was able to do it without too much trouble. You just may have to replace more parts doing it this way than you would have to otherwise.
 

Bruiser

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Thanks for the info McGuyver. Since I have all the parts from the 90 (thought it was a 91, oops) I will try it out and see how it works.<img src="emoticons/icon_smile_approve.gif" alt="Approve">


Eric
 
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