Differences in V6 Ross Steering Boxes

I'm in the process of disassembling a couple of Ross steering boxes in preparation for using the best parts out of the two as I fully rebuild a box for my 1967 V6 CJ5. Before getting too far into that, though, I thought I'd post some photos and descriptions of these two somewhat different Ross boxes.

The box out of my '67, casting number TL122995, is shown in the three photos below. This box has the date of 1-66 cast into the rear face (my jeep was built in August 1966).

Note that this box has been modified to raise its oil capacity by the use of a small pipe elbow screwed into the side oil fill port, exactly like the steering box shown here: Moses Ludel’s 4WD Mechanix Magazine – Willys, CJ & Jeepster Tires, Suspension, Steering & Brakes - Moses Ludel's 4WD Mechanix Magazine, HD Video Network and Forums

Interestingly, I asked a local mechanic friend who was the service manager at a jeep dealership in the 1970's about it, and he told me they routinely made this modification to Ross steering boxes with side oil fill ports. Given that information, I'm guessing this mod may actually have been recommended by Kaiser and/or AMC.

Also, on this same box, a prior owner apparently modified the horn tube cover, probably in an effort to get it to stop leaking oil.








The second box is one I recently picked up from the classifieds here (thanks, dharmabum!) that came from a 1969 V6 CJ5, as shown in the following photos. Its casting number (which appears to have been partially milled off, possibly during production), is TL122997. It's dated 3-68, and has the top oil fill port rather than a side fill port, giving it a higher oil capacity than the earlier box. For this reason, I plan to use this later box in my 1967.






I believe this at least partially answers the question Moses Ludel asked in the thread linked to above regarding the locations of the Ross steering box oil fill ports. The change from side to top oil fill ports in the V6 steering boxes (and perhaps the M38A1 boxes as well) was evidently made sometime between 1966 and early 1968.

My next step is to finish disassembly, including removal of the old lever / sector shaft bushings, and take all of the parts to be re-used to get media-blasted. A new sector shaft, bushings, bearings, seal, and gasket will be then be installed in the rebuilt box.

Incidentally, if you're planning to rebuild your Ross steering box, you might check out this excellent video by Moses Ludel showing the correct way to do it: Moses Ludel's 4WD Mechanix Magazine - Rebuilding the Ross TL Steering Gear - Moses Ludel's 4WD Mechanix Magazine, HD Video Network and Forums

 

Yes I fully agree.
A v-6 or M38 A-1 Ross box having the fill plug located on top the casting is much better than having the fill plug low on the cover.
Another thing one can do is drill and tap the main casting to accept a pipe plug.
Then eliminate the side cover with its low fill port.

 

I just checked my spare '53 A-1 Ross box and it does have the fill plug on the top.
-Donny