[ex670c]

Originally Posted by Samurai

I am thoroughly confused now.

Ok, at the JT anniversary event in Chennai this year, I was shown 3-4 different types of steering systems.

1) Stock steering system with no Universal Joint.
2) Steering system with Universal Joint.

Then things got muddled. There is the Rane type that came with Major and then with Armada. Both have universal joint. But only one of them is bolt-on on my Jeep.

Arka, need some clarification here.

Hi Sharath,

2 UJ Type Steering Boxes are Bolt-On

1) Excello Type (CLASSIC/MM550XD/MM550XDB)

2) Armada/Rane Type (Pre-NGCS Armada) this is also a recirculating ball, but with a idler arm/bell-crank setup

Pic on the Left is the Armada UJ Steering Box.

Regards,

Arka

PS - Check your pics from JT-6A

[Grace]

Hi,
This is how it looks after fitment

[mohang_j]

Originally Posted by Grace

Hi,
This is how it looks after fitment

Thanks for the detailed pics Andy. Please let us know the spares and labor cost for this modification.

[Samurai]

I thought Rane type was a bolt-on steering box. Madhukrishna's Rane type is bolt-on and Grace's Rane type is not bolt-on.

To avoid any further confusion, let me pull out some images from the JT event. Names added as provided by Arka.

1) Regular Excello RHD Steering Box (CJ3B/CJ500D/MM540)



2) Excello with UJ (CLASSIC/MM550XD/MM550XDB/Commander/Major)





3) Rane RCBT with Bell-Crank (Pre-NGCS Armada; before Jan 1998)



4) MRCBT without Bell-Crank also made by Rane

[svsantosh]

I think we should not go by the name Rane. It is just a manufacturer and clearly Rane makes both the 'bolt on + CV' type for the 540, and also it makes the more recent one fit/found on the pickups/OKBJ's/Later Armadas/marshals. What are the correct technical names for these 2? Worm&Roller may be the older type (bolt on), is the later one a 'rack&pinion' type, doesnt look so?

[ex670c]

Originally Posted by Samurai

I thought Rane type was a bolt-on steering box. Madhukrishna's Rane type is bolt-on and Grace's Rane type is not bolt-on.

To avoid any further confusion, let me pull out some images from the JT event.

1) Without UJ. (

Attachment 553968

2) With UJ (Front & Back) (EXCELLO used in the CLASSIC/MM550XD/MM550XDB/Commander/Major)

Attachment 553969

Attachment 553970

3) Now what is this? (RANE For Pre NGCS Armada, can be bolted to any RHD M&M JEEP) also a Recirculating Ball Type (IIRC)

Attachment 553971

4) And this? Is this the one used by Grace? (clearly says Rane)
MRCBT Manual Recriculating Ball Type used in NGCS Armada (Jan 1998 onwards) also made by RANE

Attachment 553972


Arka, can you please identify each type.

Hi Sharath,

I have added the comment next to your title.

1) Regular Excello RHD Steering Box (CJ3B/CJ500D/MM540)

2) Excello with UJ (CLASSIC/MM550XD/MM550XDB/Commander/Major)

3) Rane RCBT with Bell-Crank (Pre-NGCS Armada; before Jan 1998)

4) MRCBT without Bell-Crank also made by Rane

Regards,

Arka

[Samurai]

Thanks Arka, I have added the right names to the images. I guess I have the Excello with UJ. And you have suggested to me to go for Rane RCBT with Bell-Crank. Hope I got that right.

[AVR]

Would suggest move the last few posts to a new thread "MM Steering options" and then we can have Arka also list out any possible pros and cons of each of them? Also we seem to have some cost numbers across different threads which can be put there to ensure a "go-to" option for most people who evaluate steering mods.

Cheers,
Adi

[SPIKE ARRESTOR]

Arka, AFAIK, it is "XLO" and not "Excello" or do these forgings / castings come with this marking? If yes, then "Excello" is not OE type. Also, I believe some of the earlier steering systems were worm and roller type?

Spike

[ex670c]

Originally Posted by SPIKE ARRESTOR

Arka, AFAIK, it is "XLO" and not "Excello" or do these forgings / castings come with this marking? If yes, then "Excello" is not OE type. Also, I believe some of the earlier steering systems were worm and roller type?

Spike

Hi Spike,

The XLO is OEM, I haven't seen any Excello Casting/Forging Marks.

XLO is Worm & Roller Type.

IIRC Rane for the Armada (pre-NGCS) is Recirculating Ball Type.

Regards,

Arka

[Grace]

"also it makes the more recent one fit/found on the pickups/OKBJ's/Later Armadas/marshals."

@Santosh, I believe OKBJ's are just ends of front differentials which has a yoke type of opening with knuckle joints connecting the shafts. Not sure whether Marshals came with OKBJ. IMHO, the Rane brand as in my case (Arka's photo no 4), came with Maxx Festiva,Festara and Maxx pikup, it continued with later day Commanders and comes in present day pikup truck versions. My double cab of 1999 model came with Excello steering as in picture no 1.
I still have it on my jeep, only the next upgrade is a hydraulic assisted power steering.
The unit in pic no 1 for a 540 cannot handle LP1109 a.k.a army disks and steering is wobbly despite checking/changing kingpin bearings and also going in for steering damper.Thats the reason for my upgrade.

Warm Regards

[Jaggu]

Sharath please dont complicate matter and go cutting and welding, buy the one that sits where the OE box is (rane box) and be with it. More than enough for a CJ and drives like a car. Try my jeep next time to understand more

[Grace]

Dear Jaggu Bhai,
You must drive my 540 after it come out from the make over,all the cutting and welding is worth it. Folks like Arka who've done this mod please share your user experience. This kind of steering mod not only has minimal or no steering play,but also is capable of handling huge tyres and heavy rims. This type of steering was never meant for 540/550. It would've been just fine if these two(540 &550) were to run on 6.00X16 NDMS. The maverick jeep brethren that I am associated with convinced to go for steering mod. therefore I plan to go in 275/16 inch tyres.

Warm Regards

PS: Would you please PM me your cell number?

[Jaggu]

I run 235/75/15 tyres on my CJ @ Grace, and dont have any issues so far, about 2000 kms till date. Only at parking speed its little heavy on the biceps. But then any non-power steering set-up would be. That is why is commented to Samurai for his "CJ340". More than enough, no need to over-engineer. Only mod is to remove that stupid L clamp and instead have a direct weld to chassis which can be bolted to the box.

Will take a snap and post later in the week. It make a big difference in the steering feel and holds the setting, without any tightening stuff.

[svsantosh]

Originally Posted by Jaggu

Only mod is to remove that stupid L clamp and instead have a direct weld to chassis which can be bolted to the box.

Will take a snap and post later in the week. It make a big difference in the steering feel and holds the setting, without any tightening stuff.

Jaggu, Do you mean like this? Did you too get this weld job done?