Thread: 3 to 4 bolt steering box conversion

Lifting the engine off the driver's side mount to get the 3 bolt out was my experience. 4 bolt is physically smaller. Remove the ps fluid res too. The box comes out via some wrist breaking contortions to change the box orientation multiple times; you can't lower the box out as the ps pump is in the way.
I have some photos on my County's thread of the new fittings as the hose fitting threads are different between boxes.

Thanks Mate I knew id read about it recently but couldnt find it!

So everything bolts together the same its just the hoses that must be made up?

Another way around the different fittings is to get hold of some old pipes with correct ends (eg out of a wrecked D1 etc), then have some new hoses made up using those ends. That's what I did with mine.

The 3-bolt box is a heavy bugger and with the amount of awkward wriggling required to get it out I reckon its worthwhile hooking it up to an engine crane or block + tackle to make it easier to get out.

The 4-bolt is smaller and lighter and can easily be dropped in.

If you're planning to swap your pitman arm over from the old box to the new one give the spline etc a good dose of penetrant for a couple of weeks beforehand to make it easier. And you'll need a decent puller to get it off. In hindsight for mine it would have been much easier and cheaper (than buying a decent puller) just to buy a new pitman arm and fit it without the grief of trying to remove the old one.

Steve

Yep hoses are the only cop out. I reused bolts and pitman arm the first time but went for new the second.