Tapping a Steering box
JK Newbie
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: New York
Quick question
I know I’m late but for the sake of this emergency I’m in right now, does anyone in this thread happen to know the size bit and drill tap I need for the 6 FTX-S fittings, I went to Home Depot yesterday to look for a 3/8” but it didn’t look like it fit and I really dont want to drill the wrong size hole in my steering box.
JK Newbie
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: New York
I just did it. Really easy. It would be pretty hard to screw up, honestly. For one of the holes, you could be drunk and not mess it up. The other is a pretty tight tolerance, but its location makes it very hard to make a mistake. Btw, this information is for the second gen steering box, which I believe started with 2008 or 2009 JKs.
The picture shows the two locations. The one on the side closest to the steering shaft output is easy. That is essentially a large reservoir. I picked a spot approx. in the middle. For the second hole, if you look at your box (hard to see in the pic) there is a step in the box (see second picture). That is where it gets drilled. In there is a vein that is pretty small, but I doubt it could be missed given the size of the hole drilled.
As far as the actual process, drill pilot holes, but not all the way through. You only want to berak through all the way with the final bit (reduces any chance of getting metal in the box). Also, drill upside down so the chips fall down away from the box. When tapping, put grease on the end of the tap and go a little at a time and then clean it off and repeat. Again, limits metal getting into the box. Once tapped, run some sort of small magnet inside to catch an shavings that may have entered. All in, the process took me 30 min. It really isn't bad.
Lastly, I built my hydro using PSC parts, but higher quality hoses and fittings. Rather than spending $2200 on a PSC kit, I have $1000 all in, including steering fluid. Below the pictures is a full parts list (it is all Parker fittings and hoses).
This may seem overwhelming, but once you get it mapped out in your head, it will all make sense. Reference the PSC kit for a visual and then they also have a diagram of a system layout. I'll put a summary of parts at the bottom as the writing is long winded.
Some of this is personal preference. As for the basics, call PSC and order:
- 6.75" stroke ram (talk to them about bore size)
- JK reservoir and mounting bracket
- JK power steering pump and mounting bracket (note that the brackets are different for 2012+)
- 4 quarts of the swepco power steering fluid (that's what they recommend, it is fairly priced, so may as well use it).
What you need beyond that is hose, fittings, and a cooler if you choose. The cooler is cheap, easy to install, and a no brainer.
- Cooler (comes with barbed fittings): Aluminum Heatsink Transmission Cooler, 12 Inch
- Adapter fitting for the JK steering box (existing hole that you will run the cooler to). I have to double check which one I used as I got two. The two existing ports are different sizes, one is 16mm and the other is 18mm. I ended up reusing the line from the pump to the box and didn't need the adapter. They're cheap, so you could just buy both.
Steel Power Steering Box Adapter Fitting 16mm-1.5 IFM/-6 AN, 80-Up GM
Steel Power Steering Box Adapter Fitting 18mm-1.5 IFM/-6 AN, 80-Up GM
There are two hose sizes used in the system and everything is AN (Army Navy). Most everything is -6AN, except the large hose that runs from the reservoir to the pump and that is -12AN.
One of the members here who has a bad a## Jeep is a hydraulic steering engineer at Parker (one of the best in hydraulics). They have Parker stores in many cities or you can certainly order online. Fragola also makes nice stuff, but I went Parker since the member here literally gave me the part numbers.
Here we go - all Parker parts:
- Fittings for the holes tapped in the box (assuming you tap your own): 6 FTX-S
- All lines except the two high pressure lines to the ram will be 801-x hose. So, from the res to the pump, it is 801-12 (for -12AN fittings) and the rest will be 801-6 hose (from res to cooler to box).
- High pressure lines will be: 451TC-6 or 451ST-6, or equivalent. When I bought it there was a new hose out so that is what they gave me.
- I used push-lock fittings in the low pressure lines since you can do those at home. The fittings depend on where you mount stuff as they come in straight, 45* and 90*. For a 2012+ JK, this is what worked for me.
- The res needs two fittings, a -6AN and -12AN. I used a 45* for the -12 and 90* for the -6. Parts are: -6AN 90* (33982-6-6), and -12AN 45* (33782-12-12). The pump used a 90* -12AN, which is (33982-12-12)
Before you get all confused, it is really simple. There are three part numbers for angle and then it is just -xx-xx for the line size.
90* fittings are 33982. And then it is -6-6 or -12-12 for the size.
45* are 33782 and then -xx-xx for the size
Straight is 30682. So, put the parts in and figure out what will work best for you. Again, for a 2012+, the above works well.
Now all that is left is the ram lines. You already have the hose from above. I chose to get crimped fittings, but you can get field serviceable if you choose. The crimped ones have to be done by a shop, but the nice thing is that you can line them up at the angles you want and then crimp them. The hose is not flexible, so this is a real benefit.
The fittings again are based on angle and size. I used 2 90s out of the box and one 45 on the ram and one straight (I think that is also how PSC sends it in the kit).
- Crimp fittings: 10643-6-6 (straight), 13743-6-6 (45 degree) or 13943-6-6 (90 degree)
SUMMARY
- 6.75" stroke ram
- JK reservoir and mounting bracket
- JK power steering pump and mounting bracket
- 4 quarts of the swepco power steering fluid
- Cooler: Aluminum Heatsink Transmission Cooler, 12 Inch
- Metric adapter fittings: Steel Power Steering Box Adapter Fitting 16mm-1.5 IFM/-6 AN, 80-Up GM
Steel Power Steering Box Adapter Fitting 18mm-1.5 IFM/-6 AN, 80-Up GM
- Tapped hole box fittings (need 2): 6 FTX-S
- Low pressure hose: 801-6 and 801-12
- High pressure hose: 451TC-6 or 451ST-6, or equivalent.
- High pressure crimp fittings (you use 4 total): 10643-6-6 (straight), 13743-6-6 (45 degree) or 13943-6-6 (90 degree)
- Low pressure fittings: (2) -12AN and (2) -6AN
90* 33982 (And then it is -6-6 or -12-12 for the size).
45* 33782
Straight 30682
The picture shows the two locations. The one on the side closest to the steering shaft output is easy. That is essentially a large reservoir. I picked a spot approx. in the middle. For the second hole, if you look at your box (hard to see in the pic) there is a step in the box (see second picture). That is where it gets drilled. In there is a vein that is pretty small, but I doubt it could be missed given the size of the hole drilled.
As far as the actual process, drill pilot holes, but not all the way through. You only want to berak through all the way with the final bit (reduces any chance of getting metal in the box). Also, drill upside down so the chips fall down away from the box. When tapping, put grease on the end of the tap and go a little at a time and then clean it off and repeat. Again, limits metal getting into the box. Once tapped, run some sort of small magnet inside to catch an shavings that may have entered. All in, the process took me 30 min. It really isn't bad.
Lastly, I built my hydro using PSC parts, but higher quality hoses and fittings. Rather than spending $2200 on a PSC kit, I have $1000 all in, including steering fluid. Below the pictures is a full parts list (it is all Parker fittings and hoses).
This may seem overwhelming, but once you get it mapped out in your head, it will all make sense. Reference the PSC kit for a visual and then they also have a diagram of a system layout. I'll put a summary of parts at the bottom as the writing is long winded.
Some of this is personal preference. As for the basics, call PSC and order:
- 6.75" stroke ram (talk to them about bore size)
- JK reservoir and mounting bracket
- JK power steering pump and mounting bracket (note that the brackets are different for 2012+)
- 4 quarts of the swepco power steering fluid (that's what they recommend, it is fairly priced, so may as well use it).
What you need beyond that is hose, fittings, and a cooler if you choose. The cooler is cheap, easy to install, and a no brainer.
- Cooler (comes with barbed fittings): Aluminum Heatsink Transmission Cooler, 12 Inch
- Adapter fitting for the JK steering box (existing hole that you will run the cooler to). I have to double check which one I used as I got two. The two existing ports are different sizes, one is 16mm and the other is 18mm. I ended up reusing the line from the pump to the box and didn't need the adapter. They're cheap, so you could just buy both.
Steel Power Steering Box Adapter Fitting 16mm-1.5 IFM/-6 AN, 80-Up GM
Steel Power Steering Box Adapter Fitting 18mm-1.5 IFM/-6 AN, 80-Up GM
There are two hose sizes used in the system and everything is AN (Army Navy). Most everything is -6AN, except the large hose that runs from the reservoir to the pump and that is -12AN.
One of the members here who has a bad a## Jeep is a hydraulic steering engineer at Parker (one of the best in hydraulics). They have Parker stores in many cities or you can certainly order online. Fragola also makes nice stuff, but I went Parker since the member here literally gave me the part numbers.
Here we go - all Parker parts:
- Fittings for the holes tapped in the box (assuming you tap your own): 6 FTX-S
- All lines except the two high pressure lines to the ram will be 801-x hose. So, from the res to the pump, it is 801-12 (for -12AN fittings) and the rest will be 801-6 hose (from res to cooler to box).
- High pressure lines will be: 451TC-6 or 451ST-6, or equivalent. When I bought it there was a new hose out so that is what they gave me.
- I used push-lock fittings in the low pressure lines since you can do those at home. The fittings depend on where you mount stuff as they come in straight, 45* and 90*. For a 2012+ JK, this is what worked for me.
- The res needs two fittings, a -6AN and -12AN. I used a 45* for the -12 and 90* for the -6. Parts are: -6AN 90* (33982-6-6), and -12AN 45* (33782-12-12). The pump used a 90* -12AN, which is (33982-12-12)
Before you get all confused, it is really simple. There are three part numbers for angle and then it is just -xx-xx for the line size.
90* fittings are 33982. And then it is -6-6 or -12-12 for the size.
45* are 33782 and then -xx-xx for the size
Straight is 30682. So, put the parts in and figure out what will work best for you. Again, for a 2012+, the above works well.
Now all that is left is the ram lines. You already have the hose from above. I chose to get crimped fittings, but you can get field serviceable if you choose. The crimped ones have to be done by a shop, but the nice thing is that you can line them up at the angles you want and then crimp them. The hose is not flexible, so this is a real benefit.
The fittings again are based on angle and size. I used 2 90s out of the box and one 45 on the ram and one straight (I think that is also how PSC sends it in the kit).
- Crimp fittings: 10643-6-6 (straight), 13743-6-6 (45 degree) or 13943-6-6 (90 degree)
SUMMARY
- 6.75" stroke ram
- JK reservoir and mounting bracket
- JK power steering pump and mounting bracket
- 4 quarts of the swepco power steering fluid
- Cooler: Aluminum Heatsink Transmission Cooler, 12 Inch
- Metric adapter fittings: Steel Power Steering Box Adapter Fitting 16mm-1.5 IFM/-6 AN, 80-Up GM
Steel Power Steering Box Adapter Fitting 18mm-1.5 IFM/-6 AN, 80-Up GM
- Tapped hole box fittings (need 2): 6 FTX-S
- Low pressure hose: 801-6 and 801-12
- High pressure hose: 451TC-6 or 451ST-6, or equivalent.
- High pressure crimp fittings (you use 4 total): 10643-6-6 (straight), 13743-6-6 (45 degree) or 13943-6-6 (90 degree)
- Low pressure fittings: (2) -12AN and (2) -6AN
90* 33982 (And then it is -6-6 or -12-12 for the size).
45* 33782
Straight 30682
JK Newbie
Joined: Jan 2026
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