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Reverse or Standard Rotation steering box? 1975 Dodge W200

16K views 14 replies 12 participants last post by  DODGEBOYS 
#1 ·
Well, I've ran into a brick wall. I took my old, leaking and worn out steering box off and bought a new one at Oreilly's, and they asked me if it was standard or reverse rotation. I looking at my old one and the way it steered, and I thought that it was standard. So, I got the new one home, put it on, and hooked everything up. Started up the truck, and the wheels turned opposite of the way I turned the steering wheel.{think}Now I don't know if I screwed up and needed a reverse rotation, or they screwed up and gave me the reverse one instead. I have researched this before, but nobody came out and said " this is the official way to tell", not even the Chrysler factory repair manual. Anybody know which is which? Also, I wonder why there is both standard and reverse rotations for that specific year. I want to learn from this and know the correct way to tell the difference.

Thanks!
 
#4 ·
Why would they even list it that way?  You got a box for a 2wd truck, you need one for a 4wd.

The steering change was 78 or 79, at that point 2wd and 4wd used the same box.

I know that folks use those terms to describe the Saginaw boxes all the time but IMHO standard rotattion is what the vehicle was esigned for, reverse rotation makes the steering backwards.
 
#6 ·
72-74 4x4's used the cradle type (rev rotation). 75 and later 4x4's  used the plate mounted (std rotation).

If you had you old one with you, there's no reason the dumbass at the counter should have given you the wrong type.

Bucky
 
#7 ·
712edf said:
72-74 4x4's used the cradle type (rev rotation). 75 and later 4x4's used the plate mounted (std rotation).

If you had you old one with you, there's no reason the dumbass at the counter should have given you the wrong type.

Bucky
yeah, i totally agree.

wow man, that's scary. i had to laugh when i pictured it at first, but then i thought about driving--you just can't lol. dang!
 
#8 ·
I thought the reverse rotation box was used up until like '77 or so?  I know my buddy has a low mileage '76 W100 with the reverse rotation box that for all intents and purposes, appears to be original to the truck.
 
#12 ·
  ALL OF YOU GUYS ARE SUPER AWESOME!!

Man, I just got home and hopped on RCC and noticed the amount of response to my topic. It is so cool that  all you guys helped me out when I was in a bind!

After talking to Oreilly's, who was very helpful in fixing the mix up, my truck will hopefully be ready for Friday! I'm pulling off the box tonight and returning it tomorrow.

After this fiasco, I really have learned about a whole new part and system that I had no idea was that specific.

Thank you all for all of the help and info!
 
#14 ·
I just blew a gear in both my D and B, so fresh in mind:

turn input clockwise, pitman turns clockwise = reverse

turn input clockwise, pitman turns counter clockwise = standard

my memory trick is that's backwards of what you expect. I've seen other explanations.
 
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